Economy 7 is a UK electricity tariff that charges two different unit rates — a cheaper off-peak rate for seven hours overnight and a higher rate during the day. It suits households that can shift significant energy use to overnight hours.

How much of my electricity use needs to be overnight to benefit from Economy 7?

As a rule of thumb, Economy 7 tends to save money when at least 30 to 40 percent of your total electricity use falls within the off-peak overnight window. Below that threshold a standard single-rate tariff is often cheaper overall.

How do I find my Economy 7 day and night rates?

Your Economy 7 day and night unit rates are shown on your energy bill. Your bill will also show two separate kWh totals — one for day usage and one for night usage — each billed at the respective rate.

Economy 7 Calculator

Q: What are typical Economy 7 day and night rates?

Economy 7 rates vary significantly by supplier and region. As a rough guide in 2026, day rates typically range from 25p to 35p per kWh and night rates from around 9p to 14p per kWh. Check your bill for your exact rates.

Q: What hours does Economy 7 off-peak apply?

The seven off-peak hours vary by supplier, meter type and region — they are not always midnight to 7am. Contact your supplier or check your bill to confirm your exact off-peak window.

Enter your Economy 7 day and night unit rates alongside your usage split to see your total electricity cost and whether you are making the most of your off-peak hours. Compare against a standard single-rate tariff to see if Economy 7 is working in your favour.

Tip! — Your day and night unit rates and usage split are shown on your energy bill. Rates vary significantly by supplier and region — always use your own figures for an accurate result. Example rates are pre-filled for illustration only.

Day Unit Rate (p/kWh)
Night Unit Rate (p/kWh)
Total Monthly Usage (kWh)
Night Usage (%)
Standing Charge (p/day)
Compare Against Single Rate (p/kWh)

Your Economy 7 Monthly Cost

Cost Breakdown & Comparison

Item	Monthly	Annual
Run calculation to see breakdown

GUIDE

What Is Economy 7?

Understand how Economy 7 day and night rates work, who it suits, and whether shifting your usage could save you money.

Read Guide →

How to Use the Economy 7 Calculator

Step-by-Step

Enter your day and night unit rates — find these on your energy bill in pence per kWh. They will be listed separately as Rate 1 (day) and Rate 2 (night) or similar. Example rates are pre-filled for illustration only.
Enter your total monthly usage — the total kWh used across both day and night, from your bill.
Enter your night usage percentage — the proportion of your total usage that falls within the off-peak window. Your bill shows day and night kWh totals separately — divide night kWh by total kWh to get the percentage.
Enter your standing charge — in pence per day from your bill. The Ofgem April 2026 average is pre-filled.
Enter a single rate to compare against — the standard Ofgem rate of 24.67p/kWh is pre-filled, or enter a specific tariff rate you are considering.
Click Calculate — see your Economy 7 cost breakdown and whether you are saving against the single-rate comparison.

Understanding Your Economy 7 Costs

Economy 7 charges a higher day rate in exchange for a significantly cheaper night rate. Whether this saves you money depends entirely on how much of your electricity use you can shift to the overnight window. The higher your night usage percentage, the more you benefit from the lower night rate and the more the higher day rate is diluted.

The 30–40% Rule

As a general rule of thumb, Economy 7 tends to save money compared to a standard tariff when at least 30 to 40 percent of your total electricity use falls within the off-peak window. Below that threshold the higher day rate typically outweighs the savings on overnight usage. Use the calculator to see exactly where your break-even point lies based on your own rates.

What Counts as Night Usage

The off-peak window is seven hours overnight — but the exact hours vary by supplier, meter type and region. Common windows are 11pm to 6am or midnight to 7am, but this is not universal. Contact your supplier to confirm your exact hours. Appliances that naturally run overnight and suit Economy 7 well include storage heaters, immersion hot water tanks, washing machines on a timer, dishwashers, and EV chargers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are typical Economy 7 day and night rates?

Rates vary significantly by supplier and region. As a rough guide in 2026, day rates typically range from 25p to 35p per kWh and night rates from around 9p to 14p per kWh. Always check your bill for your exact rates — do not rely on national averages for your calculation.

How do I find my day and night usage split?

Your energy bill will show two separate kWh totals — one for day usage and one for night usage. Divide your night kWh by your total kWh and multiply by 100 to get your night usage percentage. Your online account or smart meter display may also show this split.

What hours are the Economy 7 off-peak rates active?

The seven off-peak hours vary by supplier, meter and region. They are not always midnight to 7am. Contact your supplier or check your bill to confirm your exact window — using appliances outside your off-peak window means paying the higher day rate.

Is Economy 7 worth it?

It depends on your usage pattern. If you have storage heaters, an immersion hot water tank or an EV and can shift 30–40% or more of your electricity use overnight, Economy 7 is likely to save money. If most of your usage is daytime the higher day rate will typically outweigh the night savings.

Can I switch from Economy 7 to a standard tariff?

Yes, though switching may require a meter change depending on your setup. Contact your supplier to discuss your options. If you are on a traditional Economy 7 meter rather than a smart meter, a meter change may be needed before you can access standard single-rate tariffs.