Peak and Off-Peak Electricity Explained
Looking for ways to get more from your energy tariff? Understanding peak and off-peak electricity can make a world of difference, helping you take advantage of cheaper rates when grid demand is lower and even earn rewards for using your electricity more flexibly.
Understanding when electricity may cost less
If you've been looking for ways to reduce your energy bills, you've probably come across terms like "peak electricity", "off-peak electricity" and "time-of-use tariffs".
These terms describe the times of day when prices are higher or lower due to changing demand on the electricity grid. Some energy tariffs offer different rates depending on when you use electricity, which means you could pay less by shifting your usage to off-peak hours.
What is peak and off-peak electricity
"Peak" and "off-peak" refer to times when electricity demand may be higher or lower across the grid. Because electricity often costs less when grid demand is lower, some suppliers may offer lower electricity rates during off-peak periods, although prices vary by tariff and supplier.
Peak electricity
- Times when lots of people are using electricity at the same time, meaning demand on the grid is higher
- Usually in the morning and early evening, when people are getting ready for the day, heating their homes, cooking or using more household appliances
- Electricity tends to cost more during these times
Off-peak electricity
- Times when fewer people are using electricity at the same time, meaning demand on the grid is lower
- Typically overnight, when most people are sleeping, but the exact hours can vary depending on the tariff and supplier
- Some tariffs offer cheaper electricity rates during off-peak periods, helping customers save money
When are peak and off-peak electricity times?
There isn't a single set of peak and off-peak hours that applies to every tariff.
While traditional off-peak tariffs, like Economy 7 tariffs, typically offer cheaper electricity overnight, newer smart time-of-use tariffs can offer more flexibility with different pricing periods throughout the day. The exact times depend on your tariff, meter type and supplier.
If you're on a smart tariff, you'll usually be able to see your tariff's peak and off-peak periods by logging into MyAccount or checking your tariff information.
The chart below is a simplified illustration to help you understand how pricing works at a glance.
Compare tariff pricing periods
Why does electricity have peak and off-peak hours?
Electricity demand changes throughout the day. For example:
Demand is often higher when households are getting ready for work or school.
Demand can rise again in the evening when people return home.
Overnight demand is usually lower.
By encouraging some customers to use electricity during lower-demand periods, suppliers can help balance demand across the grid.
This is why some tariffs offer lower prices at certain times of day.
How does peak and off-peak pricing work?
Standard electricity tariffs usually charge the same unit rate throughout the day.
Smart time-of-use tariffs work differently. They have different electricity prices at different times, meaning electricity may cost less during certain periods and more during others. Because they're designed around when you use energy, you'll need a smart meter to access these tariffs and track your usage throughout the day.
The amount you could save depends on:
- Your tariff
- How much electricity you use
- Whether you can change when you use electricity
- Which appliances you use
For customers who can be flexible, using electricity during off-peak periods may help reduce energy costs.
Which energy tariffs offer off-peak electricity?
From traditional off-peak tariffs to smart tariffs with flexible pricing, the right tariff could help you pay less for electricity during off-peak periods.
Smart time-of-use tariffs
Designed for flexible lifestyles, smart time-of-use tariffs offer cheaper electricity rates at certain times of day. By using more of your electricity during off-peak periods, you could save on your energy costs.
EV tariffs
Designed for households with an electric vehicle, these tariffs include off-peak periods for cheaper EV charging, so you could power your journey for less.
FreePhase tariffs
Designed for households that can be flexible with their energy use, FreePhase offers daily off-peak rates and free electricity periods when there's excess energy available on the grid. By shifting some of your electricity use, you could get more value from your energy.
Economy 7 tariffs
Designed for homes with storage heaters, hot water tanks and some electricity-only heating systems, Economy 7 tariffs provide cheaper electricity during dedicated off-peak periods, typically overnight.
Which appliances are best to use during off-peak times?
Many modern appliances include timers, making it easier to schedule usage during off-peak periods. The biggest benefits are often seen with appliances that use more electricity.
These can include:
Heat pumps
Utilise off-peak periods to heat your hot water cylinder or boost your home temperature for less.
Solar batteries
By charging solar battery storage during cheaper periods, you can store energy for peak periods to offset costs.
EV chargers
Go further for less by charging your EV during off-peak times. Plug in or schedule your EV charger to run during off-peak periods when grid demand is lower to save.
Washing machines
Run your machine outside of peak times or utilise the delay-start function to make the most of cheaper electricity hours.
Tumble dryers
Dry your clothes for less by running your dryer during low-demand periods.
Dishwashers
Use the delay-start or timer features on your dishwasher to make the most of lower-cost electricity hours.
Explore our Energywise blog for more tips on how to use appliances in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective way.
Do I need a smart meter to benefit from off-peak pricing?
Not necessarily, there are some traditional off-peak tariffs, such as Economy 7, that don't rely on smart meter functionality.
However, most modern smart time-of-use tariffs require a smart meter so they can track when electricity is used and offer different prices throughout the day. A smart meter can give you access to a wider range of tariffs that reward flexible energy use.
Find out more about smart meters and how they work.
Who could benefit most from off-peak electricity?
Off-peak tariffs can be a great fit for households that use a lot of electricity at specific times, or those that are more flexible about when they use their energy.
EV owners
Charging your EV during off-peak periods could help you reduce your home charging costs.
Heat pump users
If you heat your home with a heat pump, choosing a specialist heat pump tariff or another smart time-of-use tariff could help you make the most of off-peak rates.
Homes with battery storage
Charge your battery when electricity is cheaper and use what you've stored when rates are higher. Off-peak electricity can help your energy go further.
Flexible households
If you can shift your electricity use and run high-consumption appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers during cheaper off-peak times, you could save cash and carbon.
Homes with electric heating systems
Homes using more electricity overnight, such as those with storage heaters or hot water tanks, could benefit from specialist tariffs with overnight off-peak hours.
Smart energy enthusiasts
For those with smart home technology like solar panels or connected energy devices, and those who like to track their consumption, off-peak tariffs unlock more opportunities to take advantage of dynamic electricity pricing.
Peak and off-peak electricity FAQs
Is off-peak electricity cheaper?
While this largely depends on your tariff, typically, electricity may cost less during off-peak periods than during peak periods.
What time does off-peak electricity start?
Off-peak times vary by tariff, with some offering fixed overnight off-peak periods and others offering more dynamic off-peak timings.
How can I get onto an off-peak electricity tariff?
You'll need to choose an available electricity tariff with off-peak pricing, such as one of our more flexible FreePhase tariffs. If you have an EV, heat pump, or solar panels, there may be a more specialist tariff available to you.
If you're with another provider, you'll need to switch energy supplier before you can take advantage of one of EDF's off-peak tariffs.
How do I know if I'm on an off-peak electricity tariff?
You can check your tariff information by signing into MyAccount to view your current tariff, by checking your tariff agreement confirmation email or letter, or by looking at your latest bill.
If you're struggling to find the information you need, you can always get in touch.
Can I save money by charging my EV overnight?
Do weekends count as off-peak?
Whether weekends are off-peak depends on your tariff. Some tariffs offer the same off-peak hours each day, while others have different pricing periods throughout the week. Check your tariff information to see when your off-peak hours are.
Are Economy 7 and Economy 10 the same as time-of-use tariffs?
Technically, yes, both Economy 7 and Economy 10 would be considered time-of-use tariffs as they offer peak and off-peak electricity rates at specific times of the day. However, modern smart time-of-use tariffs tend to offer more flexibility, with multiple pricing periods or more dynamic schedules and rates.
Can I charge a home battery using off-peak electricity?
Yes, it's possible to charge a home battery system during cheaper off-peak periods and use the stored electricity later, but it's important to check that your solar battery system is compatible.
Can you save money by using electricity during off-peak hours?
Potentially, yes.
If you're on a tariff with lower off-peak rates, moving some energy usage to those periods could help reduce your electricity costs.
Examples include:
- Charging an electric vehicle overnight
- Running a dishwasher later in the evening
- Using a washing machine during off-peak hours
- Charging a home battery when electricity prices are lower
- Scheduling heat pump operation where suitable
Savings will vary depending on your tariff and energy usage patterns.