My Electric Heating Tariff Calculator — Are you on the right tariff?
Electric heating and storage heaters can cost much less if they run on cheap off-peak electricity — but only if your tariff actually has an off-peak rate. Find out how much you could save.
Check my heating tariffWhy electric heating costs more than it needs to
Electric heating — storage heaters, electric radiators, electric boilers or underfloor heating — uses a lot of electricity, and on a standard single-rate tariff every unit is charged at the full day rate. Because heating is one of the easiest things to run overnight or in off-peak windows, households on electric heating are often paying far more than they need to simply because their tariff doesn't have a cheaper rate to shift that demand into.
Many electric-heating homes are still on an old Economy 7 setup, which gives a cheaper overnight rate but is often no longer the best deal available. A modern time-of-use tariff can offer better rates, longer or better-timed cheap windows, and a closer fit to how your heating actually runs. The calculator works out whether you'd be better off.
Which tariffs suit electric heating?
The best tariff depends on your heating type and when it draws power. The ones our calculator compares include:
- E.ON Next Smart Saver — a time-of-use tariff open to any household with a smart meter, no special equipment needed, with a very cheap overnight window and a longer off-peak period through the day.
- EDF FreePhase — a tariff with daily price bands that reward shifting usage into cheaper periods, open to households without specific hardware.
- Octopus Tracker and other off-peak tariffs — worth comparing for homes that can move heating demand into cheaper hours.
If you're on an older Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, it's well worth checking whether a newer time-of-use tariff would beat it — many do, and the difference can be significant over a heating season.
How much could you save?
Example: a home with storage heaters in London on a single-rate tariff — with no cheap overnight rate — could save around £660 a year by moving to Next Smart Saver.
Illustrative example, updated daily from current rates. Your own saving depends on your home and heating — check yours with the calculator.
Not sure which tariff you're on?
If you have storage heaters or electric heating and haven't reviewed your tariff in a while, there's a good chance you're either on a standard rate with no off-peak window at all, or an old Economy 7 deal that's no longer competitive. The calculator shows you where you stand and what would save you the most.
Common questions about electric heating tariffs
Is Economy 7 still worth it for storage heaters?
Often, yes — Economy 7 was designed for storage heaters, charging them on a cheaper overnight rate, and a decent Economy 7 deal is frequently still competitive for this kind of home. It's worth checking whether a newer time-of-use tariff would do better, but don't assume you'll automatically beat it. The biggest savings are usually for storage-heater homes that aren't on any off-peak tariff at all.
What is the best tariff for electric heating?
It depends on your heating type and when it uses power. Tariffs like E.ON Next Smart Saver and EDF FreePhase are open to any household with a smart meter and reward shifting usage into cheaper windows. The calculator compares them against your actual usage to find your best fit.
Do I need a smart meter for an off-peak heating tariff?
Most modern time-of-use tariffs need a smart meter so your supplier can bill the cheaper off-peak rate accurately. If you have an older Economy 7 meter, switching to a smart meter usually opens up better tariff options.
How much can switching save on electric heating?
It varies with your home and heating type, but households that can move heating demand into cheaper off-peak hours often save a worthwhile amount each year. The calculator gives you a personalised figure based on your own usage.