Is electricity cheaper at night?

If you have an Economy 7 meter you could cut your bills by running appliances while you sleep, as they make electricity cheaper at night. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

Terraced street with streetlight
What time your nighttime electricity rate kicks in depends on your supplier
(Image credit: © Adam Lister/Getty Images)

We’re all trying to find ways to reduce energy bills as the cost of living continues to rise – from changing the settings on your boiler to considering the best time to turn the central heating on.

If you’re on a standard meter, you will pay the same price for each unit of energy at any given time in the day. However homes which rely on electricity for both heating and hot water will usually have an Economy 7 meter. These have overnight rates, which could make your electricity rate cheaper at night.

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Nic studied for a BA in journalism at Cardiff University, and has an MA in magazine journalism from City University. She has previously worked for MoneyWeek.