Money Guides
⏱ 4 min read
📅 Updated Apr 2026
Economy 7 Times UK 2026: When Is Off-Peak Electricity?
What are Economy 7 times in the UK?Economy 7 (E7) is a time-of-use electricity tariff that offers a cheaper overnight rate for 7 hours and a higher daytime rate for the remaining 17 hours. The exact off-peak hours vary by region and sometimes by season. The most common window is midnight to 7am, but some areas use 11pm to 6am or 1am to 8am. Economy 7 off-peak hours vary by region. The most common window is midnight to 7am GMT (1am to 8am BST in summer). Check your electricity bill or contact your supplier to confirm your specific off-peak window. Economy 7 off-peak hours by region| Region | Typical off-peak window (GMT) | BST equivalent (summer) |
|---|
| London and South East | Midnight to 7am | 1am to 8am | | Midlands | Midnight to 7am | 1am to 8am | | North West | 12:30am to 7:30am | 1:30am to 8:30am | | Yorkshire | 12:30am to 7:30am | 1:30am to 8:30am | | Scotland | 11pm to 6am | Midnight to 7am | | South West | Midnight to 7am | 1am to 8am |
These are typical windows — your actual window depends on your meter and supplier. Run a test appliance overnight with a smart plug to identify your exact window, or contact your energy supplier directly. Economy 7 rates vs standard rates April 2026| Rate type | Typical Economy 7 rate | Standard Ofgem cap rate |
|---|
| Off-peak (7 hours overnight) | 8 to 12p per kWh | 24.50p per kWh | | Peak (17 hours daytime) | 28 to 35p per kWh | 24.50p per kWh | | Standing charge | Similar to standard | 61.64p per day |
Is Economy 7 still worth it in 2026?Economy 7 is worth it if you can shift at least 40 to 50% of your electricity use to the off-peak window. For most households without electric storage heaters or an overnight EV charger, this is difficult. The higher daytime rate typically penalises normal usage patterns. | Household type | Economy 7 suitable? |
|---|
| Electric storage heaters (primary heating) | Yes — designed for this use case | | EV owner charging overnight | Good fit — use with an EV tariff instead if possible | | Standard gas central heating | Unlikely to benefit — daytime rate premium too high | | Heat pump (charging overnight buffer tank) | Possibly — depends on usage pattern | | Immersion water heater on timer | Good fit if timed to off-peak window |
Better alternatives to Economy 7 in 2026- Octopus Go — 7p/kWh overnight (midnight to 6am); much cheaper than Economy 7 off-peak and no daytime premium
- Intelligent Octopus Go — smart tariff automatically finds cheapest slots; best for EVs
- Agile Octopus — half-hourly pricing; can be very cheap at low-demand periods but complex to manage
- Standard single-rate tariff — simpler if you cannot shift significant usage to off-peak
Verdict Check your off-peak window before relying on it Economy 7 times vary significantly by region and meter. Always confirm your specific window with your supplier before scheduling appliances. For EV owners, a dedicated EV tariff like Octopus Go is almost always better value than Economy 7. Frequently asked questionsHow do I know if I am on Economy 7? Your electricity meter will have two registers — one for peak and one for off-peak — usually labelled Day and Night. Your electricity bill will show two different unit rates. If you have a single rate, you are on a standard tariff. Can I switch from Economy 7 to a standard tariff? Yes, but you may need a meter change. Economy 7 uses a dual-register meter. Switching to a single-rate tariff requires your supplier to reprogramme or replace the meter. Contact your supplier for the process and any charges. Does Economy 7 work with a smart meter? Yes. Smart meters can be set up for Economy 7 or other time-of-use tariffs. A smart meter also gives you more accurate data on when you are using power, helping you optimise your usage around off-peak times. Is Economy 7 good for charging an EV? It can work if you time charging to the off-peak window. However, dedicated EV tariffs like Octopus Go (7p/kWh) typically offer lower overnight rates than Economy 7 off-peak rates, and without the higher daytime rate penalty. |
Part of our complete guide: Energy Price Cap July 2026 - Forecasts & What To Do → Compare through a verified energy broker →
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The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
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Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
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