Money Matters: Could the time you use energy save you money?
With household budgets continuing to feel stretched, it's understandable that many of us are looking for practical ways to reduce our bills without making big sacrifices.
In this week's Money Matters column, we look at new research from energy supplier, E.ON Next which suggests that millions of UK households could be missing out on savings simply because they didn't realise that electricity can cost different amounts at different times of the day.
The research found that around one third of people are unaware that they could be paying less by using electricity during off peak hours, while many find time-of-use tariffs confusing to understand.
Off-peak electricity times are when there is less demand for energy, like at night, weekends or certain times of the day. On certain tariffs, energy might also be cheaper if there is a lot of energy being generated. For example on very windy or sunny days.
While off-peak tariffs aren't right for everyone, they are a useful reminder that when we use energy can sometimes be just as important as how much we use. On some tariffs, running appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers or tumble dryers outside of peak times could reduce the cost of each cycle significantly.
If you have a smart meter, it's worth finding out whether your energy provider offers any schemes or tariffs that reward you for moving some of your energy use away from the busiest times of day. Many suppliers now provide apps that help you monitor your usage and identify some opportunities to save.
Of course, not everyone can change when they use electricity, especially if you have caring responsibilities, health needs or work commitments – that’s completely understandable. But even small changes such as turning appliances off standby or making sure you're on the best tariff for your circumstances can still make a difference to you over time.
Start by talking to your energy supplier to find out what kind of tariff you are currently on.
If you're a Housing Plus Group customer and would like help understanding your options, get in touch with our Money Matters team.
Our customers can also speak to our Energy Advice team for advice and support. Our Energy Advice service is funded by the Cadent Foundation.
19th June 2026