Is Night Electricity Cheaper Than Day Electricity in the UK 2022?
Can you save money using nighttime energy tariffs?
Published: September 28, 2022 Author: Matt Jackson
With an 80% cost increase on the horizon, we can only hope that new PM Liz Truss freezes UK energy bills before the cost-of-living crisis gets out of control.
But until then, we need to do everything we can to save money on our household heating bills, especially with winter just around the corner.
You may have heard that electricity is cheaper at night, but is this the case? Well, it all depends on the meter you have and the tariff you are on.
Off-Peak Pricing – Only If You’re On Two-Rate Electricity Meters
If you have a two-rate electricity meter and off-peak pricing applies between midnight and 7 am, you could save money by running your dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble drier during the night.
There are currently two off-peak tariffs available to UK homeowners, Economy 7 and Economy 10.
Both options include a Smart Meter to help you manage your electricity consumption throughout the day and night, avoid peak-rate prices that could see your bills soar, and monitor how much your appliances use.
Economy 7 (E7) tariffs are suitable for all types of electric central heating systems, while Economy 10 (E10) tariffs are only available for those with electrically heated radiators or ceramic core heaters.
Your supplier will advise you of your off-peak and high-peak times, which vary from provider to provider and where you live in the country.
Daytime rates can be considerably higher for those on two-rate tariff plans, so check your policy carefully, especially if you are considering moving to a new supplier who may charge you more in the long run.
What Does Electricity Off-Peak Time Mean?
While electricity off-peak times vary from provider to provider, most fall between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am when the rest of the country is sleeping.
Using your electrical appliances during off-peak times could save a considerable amount on your annual heating bills, but if you don’t want to be up all hours turning on and off your machines, you should look for options with built-in timers.
If you don’t know when off-peak times apply in your area, ask your electricity supplier for an up-to-date schedule.
What Do White Goods Energy Ratings Mean?
White goods are considerably cheaper today than they were 20 years ago. But buying the low-cost options available could be a false economy.
Check the energy rating of your washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer, fridge, and freezer. If it doesn’t start with an A or B, it could add a considerable amount to your energy bills. Reports suggest that you can save as much as £145 per year by replacing old white goods with new, energy-efficient models, so look out for those bearing A+++ ratings.
Do Appliances on Standby Use Electricity?
According to a report by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), appliances on standby, such as laptops, TVs, monitors, and game consoles, equate to up to sixteen per cent of our total energy bills. And this all while they are sitting there in standby mode.
If you want to save money on your household electricity bills, unplugging unnecessary appliances could save you several hundred pounds every year. Make this your New Year’s Resolution today.
Can I Save Money by Washing My Clothes at 30 Degrees?
Yes, you can! Modern washing powders lift dirt and odours at 30 degrees, so there’s no need to put your clothes and linens through a long hot wash; they come out just as clean on a shorter cycle.
You can save even more money on your energy bills by filling your washing machine to capacity (without overloading) and using a shorter cycle. Many modern machines have a 20-minute, 30-degree wash which is more than sufficient for items you have worn once, and you may even find that your clothes last longer.
Are Well-Maintained Appliances More Energy-Efficient?
With the current energy crisis on most of our minds, it can be tempting to cut down on things that may not seem essential, such as appliance maintenance, but without it, your white goods could be costing you more than they should.
Well-maintained appliances use less electricity and detergent and can last considerably longer than those left to rust. So wherever possible, carry out routine maintenance on your washers, driers, and small household goods. It could reduce your energy bills over time, and if there is one thing we’ve learnt over the past few years, we need to save wherever we can.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on Is Night Electricity Cheaper Than Day Electricity in the UK 2022?.
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