Let’s face it energy bills in the UK haven’t exactly been fun reading lately.
But there is a smarter way to get a handle on your costs: Time of Use (ToU) tariffs. Paired with a smart meter, they can make a big difference, especially if you’ve got a Heat Pump, Solar panels, Home Batteries or an EV
What Are Time of Use Tariffs?
A Time of Use tariff means your electricity price isn’t fixed all day, it changes depending on when you use it. Power is cheaper when the grid is quiet (usually overnight) and more expensive when demand is high (like tea-time).
Think of it like off-peak train tickets, but for your home’s electricity.
Why Do They Exist?
The UK’s grid is moving towards more renewable energy. Wind and solar are brilliant, but they don’t always produce power when we want it. To balance things out, energy companies encourage people to shift their usage to “greener” times.
So, running your dishwasher at 2am isn’t just cheaper, it’s also helping the planet.
Examples of ToU Tariffs in the UK
Different suppliers now offer flexible tariffs to encourage shifting your usage. Some of the most common types include:
- Agile or half-hourly tariffs – prices that track wholesale rates and change every 30 minutes.
- Overnight EV tariffs – cheaper electricity during set overnight hours, perfect for charging your car.
- Smart EV charging plans – suppliers schedule your charging automatically to take advantage of the lowest prices.
- Comfort or heating tariffs – reduced rates during certain daytime windows to keep homes warm.
- Export-focused tariffs – higher payouts if you’ve got solar and export energy back to the grid at peak times.
- Tracker tariffs – a single rate that changes daily with the wholesale market, giving transparency if prices fall.
Each one rewards flexibility, use power when it’s cheapest, and you save.
Smart Meters: The Key to Making It Work
You’ll need a smart meter for this. It tracks your usage in half-hour chunks and lets your supplier bill you at different rates depending on the time of day.
No more estimated bills. No more overpaying. Just accurate data and cheaper power if you play it smart.
Haven’t We Had This Before?
Yes, Economy 7 and Economy 10 were the original ToU tariffs. They gave cheaper electricity overnight (Economy 7) or across a mix of night, afternoon, and early morning hours (Economy 10).
The difference today is that smart meters make it more flexible and tailored, rather than locked into fixed schedules.
Got Solar Panels or Batteries? Even Better
If you’ve got solar, ToU tariffs let you:
- Sell at the right time – some export tariffs pay more if you feed electricity back when demand is highest.
- Shift your usage – run washing machines, dishwashers, or charge your batteries during your cheapest hours.
That way you’re not just generating green energy, you’re getting the maximum value from it.