Most of us know about off-peak train tickets, or off-peak phone call rates, so why not take advantage of off-peak energy with Economy 10 fares?

Economy 10 tariffs allow you to take advantage of low tariffs for your electricity, but you must follow some important rules.

Economy 10 is similar to Economy 7 and White Meter fares, which you may be familiar with.

Please note that Uswitch currently does not allow households to switch between Economy 10 plans. Not all energy providers offer Economy 10 plans, you will need to contact your preferred supplier directly to discuss a change.

How does economy 10 work?

Economy 10 gives you the same energy as any other tariff, but during 10 off-peak hours of the day, your energy will cost you less.

Discounted Economy 10 fares are typically divided into seven hours at night and three hours during the day.

While Economy 10 offers unit fares up to half the price of peak fares, ongoing charges are often higher.

How can I take advantage of economy 10?

To get the most benefit from Economy 10 fares, your property should be based on an electric heating system (wet electric system) rather than a gas heating system.

You need to use the majority of your energy during off-peak hours. This means running your heating and appliances at night and late at night.

Therefore, they are generally only suitable for properties with storage heaters or underfloor heating, where heat can be retained and released throughout the day.

Electric storage heaters allow you to keep water, which has been heated at night, warm during the day. However, it should be borne in mind that while this water will be hot in the morning, it may have cooled by the time you get home from work.

However, you should be aware that Economy 10 fares typically only offer five hours of heat at night (supplemented by three in the afternoon and two in the evening). This may not be suitable for older storage heaters which require seven hours of continuous heating to store enough heat.

You’ll also need to make sure your major household appliances, like your washing machine, dishwasher, and dryer, have timer settings so they can run at night.

On that note, it is also worth thinking about the location of your devices. There is no point in having a washing machine with a timer if it is located next to your room and will keep you awake all night.

Can I use my normal meter with an Economy 10 fare?

No. A standard meter will only give you one meter reading, while for Economy 10 you will need two to three different meter readings, depending on whether you have a storage heater.

Thus, switching to an Economy 10 tariff will most often involve the installation of a new meter. Your energy supplier will be able to do this for you, but may charge a fee to do so.

Likewise, if you switch from Economy 10 to a standard fare, you may have to pay a fee to have a standard meter installed. While this shouldn’t deter you from upgrading to or from Economy 10, it’s worth keeping the potential cost in mind.

What are the disadvantages of using Economy 10?

The main problem with Economy 10 is switching. If you factor in the cost of installing a standard meter, switching to a non-Economy 10 fare in the future could be costly.

You also need to have a more disciplined lifestyle with Economy 10 fares and use the majority of your energy during designated hours. If you end up using a significant amount of your energy outside of these times, the higher ongoing charges could mean you’ll end up paying more than you should.

While scheduling your energy use can be relatively straightforward, the colder winter months in particular can disrupt your schedule as you may want the heat to turn on earlier.

Finally, the off-peak hours that fall under your Economy 10 fare vary from one supplier to another and from one region to another. This means that if you choose to switch from one Economy 10 plan to another, you may have to reprogram your meter by an engineer.

How is Economy 10 different from Economy 7?

The main difference is simply the number of off-peak hours. While Economy 7 gives you seven hours of off-peak power at night only, Economy 10 adds three hours of daylight, typically in the afternoon.

Economy 7 plans are also known as White Meter or Heatwise plans.

How else can I reduce my gas and heating bill?

While it’s tempting to use an Economy 10 plan to take advantage of off-peak energy, the easiest way to lower your energy bills is to simply reduce your consumption. For example, try lowering your thermostat just one degree and make sure you have energy saving light bulbs installed throughout your property.

You should also be aware of purchasing new, power-hungry devices like flat screen televisions.

And, when it comes to washing, 90% of your washing machine’s energy is spent on heating the water, so try using lower temperatures.

When it comes to conserving heat, in addition to closing doors and windows, make sure your drafts and insulation are up to par.

Attic insulation is the most economical way to keep heat in your property, so make sure you not only have it installed, but also have the right levels. Read our guide to attic insulation for more information.

Likewise, windbreaks around the edges of doors, windows and in chimneys can make a huge difference, and are inexpensive to buy and easy to install.