FreePhase - save when you use electricity smarter
Imagine paying less for your daily electricity at home. With FreePhase, shifting usage to cheaper times could help lower your electricity costs.(1)
Plus, when there is surplus renewable electricity on the grid, you could unlock periods of free electricity.(2)
What is FreePhase?
FreePhase is a smart time-of-use electricity tariff.
That means:
- Electricity prices change throughout the day, so you pay less when demand is lower
- You can save money by using electricity during cheaper times
- Customers who sign up to our Dynamic version can track prices to see when electricity is cheapest and free
- Shift your usage. Run appliances, charge EVs or use electricity when prices are lower
We have two plans available: FreePhase Dynamic and FreePhase Static—choose the one that fits best with your home and lifestyle.
Meet Callum our FreePhase expert
Callum explains how FreePhase works, what the benefits are, and how the dynamic and static versions differ.
The benefits of our FreePhase tariff
Get cheaper electricity
Pay less outside peak hours. Sometimes there are free electricity periods, when there's more renewable energy on the grid. FreePhase is a fixed-term tariff with no exit fees, so you get cost certainty without being locked in.
Save more by using electricity smarter
Shift your energy use away from peak (red) hours to see your bills go down. Set timers on your washing machine and dishwasher to run when electricity is cheaper.
Flexible electricity that works for you
With FreePhase, you choose when to use electricity. By shifting usage out of peak times, you also help reduce pressure on the grid and cut carbon emissions.
How does FreePhase tariff pricing work?
Instead of one flat rate, FreePhase uses three price bands:
🔴 Red: 4 pm–7 pm (peak) – the most expensive time to use electricity
🟠 Amber: 6 am–4 pm & 7 pm–11 pm (mid) – medium price
🟢 Green: 11 pm–6 am (off-peak) – generally the cheapest time of day
If you choose the Dynamic version of our FreePhase tariff, your unit rates may change daily based on market conditions. If you prefer more certainty, the Static option keeps your unit rate the same for the full length of your plan, so your pricing won’t fluctuate during that period.
The chart below is a simplified illustration to help you understand how pricing works at a glance.
What you need to get FreePhase
- A working smart meter – or be happy to have one installed
- Agree to share half-hourly data – so we can apply your tariff correctly
- Pay by monthly Direct Debit – simple, automatic and hassle-free
Choose the FreePhase tariff that suits your home and lifestyle
FreePhase Dynamic
Ideal if:
You’re happy to check electricity prices regularly and shift usage to cheaper times.
Green and Amber periods are usually the lowest, so staying informed helps you save the most. Stay ahead by checking tomorrow’s prices, viewing your red, amber and green rates, and seeing when your free electricity hours are coming up.
Works for:
Homes with solar panels, air source heat pumps, electric vehicles, or anyone keen to regularly track their electricity prices.
FreePhase Static
Ideal if:
You want simple, predictable pricing without tracking daily rate changes. Green and Amber periods are always the cheapest, and your rates stay fixed, so you can plan with confidence.
Works for:
Anyone looking for price certainty and a set-and-forget approach to shifting their electricity use.
- Get a quote and choose our standard variable tariff to start
- Once you've switched, we'll need to carry out a couple of checks to make sure we can access your smart meter data, so we can give the right prices at different times
- When we've completed the checks, which normally takes five days, we'll send you an email to remind you to switch
Is FreePhase right for me
Best for
- EV owners, happy to charge their electric vehicles overnight
- Heat pump owners
- Homes with solar batteries
- Homes that can be flexible when they using their electricity
- Customers with smart washing machines, dishwashers, etc., that have timers so you can schedule them to run outside peak hours
May not suit
- Households with limited flexibility around when they need to use their electricity
- Customers who use the most electricity between 4 and 7 pm
The power to plan ahead
Make it easy to use electricity when it’s cheapest, or even free. FreePhase gives you the tools to stay in control and maximise your savings.
Stay one step ahead
Sign up for FreePhase Dynamic to see tomorrow’s electricity prices so you can shift usage to cheaper or free periods and get the most savings.
Track and understand your energy
Using smart meter data, Energy Hub shows exactly how much you’re using and highlights ways to save more. Available in MyAccount and the EDF app.
Never miss a free period
We’ll send a text alert before a free electricity period starts so you can make the most of it.
FreePhase FAQs
Why is FreePhase a beta tariff?
FreePhase is a new kind of electricity tariff that helps you save money and cut carbon. It gives you more control over the price you pay and helps ease pressure on the national grid during peak times.
Because it’s a beta tariff, we’re testing and refining it to make sure it works smoothly. If we need to make improvements along the way, we’ll do so quickly.
We want you to feel confident in your choice. If FreePhase isn’t right for you, you can switch to another EDF tariff at any time, with no exit fees.
Is my bill accurate?
Yes – your bill reflects the electricity you use and the rates that apply at the time you use it.
Because FreePhase is still a beta tariff, there are a few temporary limitations in how the bill is shown:
- Red, Amber, and Green rates aren’t on the bill yet. You can see a daily breakdown in the graph or check your consumption and costs in Energy Hub. For FreePhase Dynamic, we show a weighted average unit rate for now.
- Daily unit rate changes don’t appear on the bill, and the estimated annual cost currently only includes the standing charge.
You’ll still see that you’re on one of our cheapest tariffs. If you’re shifting your usage, this should be accurate. For FreePhase Dynamic, we recommend using our quoting tool to check your potential savings.
Why doesn’t my In-Home Display (IHD) show my FreePhase prices?
Right now, IHDs aren’t able to show smart tariff prices like FreePhase Dynamic. These prices update frequently, and the IHD wasn’t designed to handle that level of real-time data. We know this isn’t ideal, and working on improvements.
In the meantime, there are easier ways to track your prices and energy use:
- EDF Price Watch page – see today and tomorrow’s prices
- EDF Energy Hub – explore your usage and costs
- Third-party apps and tools – our FreePhase community has built great tools to help track prices and usage
- For tech enthusiasts – if you love data, you can dive into your usage with our open API
Will I pay any exit fees to leave my current tariff if I want to sign up to FreePhase?
No, you won't pay any exit fees if you leave your current tariff early, when signing up to one of our FreePhase tariffs.
Do I pay any exit fees if I want to leave my FreePhase tariff early?
No, you won't pay any exit fees to leave your FreePhase tariff early. You can change to a different EDF tariff at any time without penalty if you find the FreePhase tariff isn't right for you. But if you do decide to leave your FreePhase tariff for any reason, you may not be able to join another FreePhase tariff for nine months.
Can I take part in the Sunday Saver challenge if I'm on a FreePhase tariff?
No, you can't take part, as you have to be on a one or two-rate tariff to do the Sunday Saver challenge. Our FreePhase tariffs have three electricity rates.
How do I qualify for FreePhase tariffs?
To join FreePhase, you must:
- Be an existing EDF customer
- Or, join EDF on our Standard Variable tariff
- You'll also need a working smart electricity meter that can send us half-hourly reads
How do I switch to a FreePhase tariff?
If you're already an EDF customer, simply get a quote; you'll then be given an estimate which will depend on how much electricity you think you'll use during each of three time periods. You can then choose to join a FreePhase tariff if you're happy with your quote.
If you're not yet an EDF customer, you'll need to join our Standard Variable tariff first. Find out more about how to switch energy suppliers.
Are time of use, smart, three phase and multi rate tariffs the same?
Time-of-use tariffs are smart tariffs where the price of electricity varies depending on when you use it, rather than staying the same all day.
Smart tariffs use a smart meter to track your usage (usually in half-hourly intervals) and automatically apply the right price.
Multi-rate tariffs also offer different prices at different times, but they can work with smart or traditional meters (like Economy 7). Older meters use separate registers, while smart meters record usage digitally.
Three-phase meters are usually found in older or high-demand properties. These aren’t compatible with FreePhase tariffs.
In short:
- Time-of-use and multi-rate tariffs both have variable pricing
- Smart tariffs rely on smart meters
- Three-phase refers to a type of meter, not a tariff
How do you calculate the red, amber and green rates?
Prices change every day based on wholesale electricity costs for the next day. We use Nord Pool’s day-ahead market prices and apply a formula:
- Red:
Price = C × W + P - GD
(Coefficient × Wholesale Price + Peak Premium - Government Discount)
- Amber & Green:
Price = C × W - GD
(Coefficient × Wholesale Price - Government Discount)
What do C, W, and P mean?
- C (Coefficient): A multiplier that covers extra costs suppliers pay (like network charges). It varies by region
- W (Wholesale Price): The average market price for electricity during that time period
- P (Premium): An extra amount added only during peak hours (4 pm–7 pm) to cover higher costs at that time. Also varies by region
- GD (Government Discount): From 01/04/2026, we will be passing through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Renewables Obligation (RO) savings. This cost will be discounted from your unit rate
Price cap
No individual unit rate will ever exceed £0.75 per kWh (including VAT), no matter what happens in the market.
What are the current C and P values?
Last updated May 2026
| Region | Grid Supply Point | C | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | A | 2.05 | 13.16 |
| East Midlands | B | 2.05 | 6.46 |
| London | C | 2.15 | 9.29 |
| Merseyside & North Wales | D | 2.17 | 7.52 |
| Midlands | E | 2.03 | 7.04 |
| Northern | F | 2.03 | 6.08 |
| North Western | G | 2.08 | 11.06 |
| Southern | H | 2.08 | 8.6 |
| South Eastern | J | 2.01 | 15.54 |
| South Wales | K | 2.08 | 8.64 |
| South Western | L | 2.01 | 11.26 |
| Yorkshire | M | 2.04 | 4.35 |
| South of Scotland | N | 2.05 | 7.21 |
| North of Scotland | P | 2.2 | 6.48 |
Will these values change during my tariff?
Yes. Changes to Coefficient and Premium values will occur automatically every April, but only in a manner fully linked to fluctuations in non-energy and peak-hour costs, which, regrettably, we do not control! Once they have been changed, we will ensure the current applicable C & P values are available here, so you will also have visibility of the latest values.
In short
Your price each day = wholesale electricity cost × a regional multiplier (C), plus a small extra charge (P) during peak hours. This ensures prices reflect real market costs while covering essential supplier expenses.
How do you calculate the FreePhase Dynamic standing charge?
The standing charge may change every January, April, July and October by tracking the EDF Standard Variable Tariff standing charge plus a FreePhase service fee. We will calculate the standing charge every three months using the following formula:
Standing Charge = A + B
A: The EDF Standard Variable tariff standing charge applicable for those months and your region
B: The FreePhase service fee
What are the current A and B values?
A: You can view the rates here
B: The current FreePhase service fee is 0p (nil)
Your current standing charge will be set out in your MyAccount.
Will these values change during my tariff?
Yes. Changes to the EDF Standard Variable tariff standing charge and FreePhase service fee will occur automatically every January, April, July and October. Once they have been changed, we will make sure the current applicable values are available here, so you will also have visibility of the latest values.
How do I see my free electricity?
Customers on our Static version
Your 'Free Electricity' moments are added as a credit to your account. You'll see this on your bill.
Customers on our Dynamic version
You'll see your 'Free Electricity' moments listed on your bill as 0.000p.
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