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Best UK Time-of-Use Tariffs (2026)

Reviewed by Samantha Holloway, Editor in Chief · Last reviewed 24 May 2026

Last updated: 24 May 2026

## Best UK time-of-use tariffs (2026) *Reviewed by the eCycling Central editorial team on May 2026* UK electricity prices vary by 4-7x between off-peak and peak hours on time-of-use (TOU) tariffs. Households that can shift load (EV charging, battery storage, heat pumps, dishwasher / washing machine timers) save **£200-£800 per year** vs standard variable tariffs. This page compares every meaningful UK TOU tariff currently available, with off-peak rates, peak rates, and the off-peak window length. ## All UK time-of-use tariffs (2026) | Tariff | Provider | Off-peak | Peak | Off-peak window | Annual saving | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | [Octopus Go](/guides/octopus-go-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | Octopus Energy | 6-8p | 30-40p | 00:30-04:30 | £300-700/year | | [Octopus Intelligent Go](/guides/octopus-intelligent-go-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | Octopus Energy | 7-8p | 30-40p | 23:30-05:30 (extended via smar | £400-800/year | | [Octopus Cosy](/guides/octopus-cosy-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | Octopus Energy | 12-15p | 35-50p | 04:00-07:00 + 13:00-16:00 + 22 | £200-500/year | | [Octopus Flux](/guides/octopus-flux-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | Octopus Energy | 15-19p | 35-45p | 02:00-05:00 | £500-1000/year | | [British Gas Electric Driver](/guides/british-gas-electric-driver-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | British Gas | 8.95p | 32-38p | 00:00-05:00 | £250-600/year | | [EDF GoElectric](/guides/edf-goelectric-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | EDF | 4.5-9p | 30-37p | 00:00-05:00 | £300-700/year | | [OVO Charge Anytime](/guides/ovo-charge-anytime-uk-tariff-guide-2026) | OVO Energy | 7p | 32-38p | smart-scheduled by app | £350-700/year | ## Which tariff is right for you? - **EV owner**: Octopus Go or Intelligent Go (cheapest off-peak rate, smart-charging integration) - **Plug-and-play battery owner**: Octopus Go (max price differential = max battery cycling profit) - **Heat pump owner**: Octopus Cosy (3 off-peak windows tuned to heat pump efficiency curves) - **Solar + battery owner**: Octopus Flux (highest export rate during evening peak) - **British Gas customer who doesn't want to switch**: BG Electric Driver - **EDF customer who doesn't want to switch**: EDF GoElectric ## Switching considerations - All TOU tariffs require a **SMETS2 smart meter** - Switch typically completes in 5-10 working days - No exit fees on most modern tariffs - Verify rates on the provider's site - they update frequently ## Related guides - [Plug-and-play batteries UK guide (2026)](/guides/plug-and-play-batteries-uk-guide-2026) - [Energy-saving devices for UK households](/guides/energy-saving-devices-uk-2026) - [BS 7671 Amendment 4 explained](/guides/bs-7671-amendment-4-explained-2026) ## Sources - Ofgem Time-of-Use Tariff Database - Octopus Energy / British Gas / EDF / OVO public tariff pages - Energy UK consumer trends report (2026) ## Best UK Time-of-Use Tariffs (2026): Compare Off-Peak Rates: framework + alternatives + FAQs (2026-05-20) ### Practical 5-step process 1. **Confirm device condition + age.** Working post-2018 device → trade-in route. Older or broken → recycling route. Compare via [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder) before committing to recycling. 2. **Sanitise the device.** Sign out of cloud services (iCloud, Google, Microsoft, Samsung). [Factory reset](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/how-to-factory-reset-any-device-before-trading-in) via Settings menu. For sensitive data: certified [ITAD](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/it-asset-disposition-itad-explained) provider with [data sanitisation standard](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/nist-800-88-data-sanitisation-standards) sanitisation - see [Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator](/tools/hard-drive-destruction-cost-calculator). 3. **Find a compliant disposal route.** Manufacturer take-back (free for like-for-like purchases under EU [WEEE](https://ecyclingcentral.com/regulations/weee-directive-eu) / UK WEEE / select US state laws), retailer drop-off (free at most major retailers), or certified local recycler. Use our [Recycling Locator](/tools/recycling-locator) for nearby options. 4. **Document the disposal.** Get a Certificate of Destruction for any data-bearing device (free template via our [GDPR Data Erasure Certificate Generator](/tools/gdpr-erasure-certificate-generator)). Keep for 3-7 years depending on data classification. 5. **Verify the downstream certification chain.** Reputable recyclers partner with R2v3 / [R2 certification standard](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/r2-and-[R2 certification standard](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/r2-and-e-stewards-certification-explained)-certification-explained) / ISO 14001 certified processors. Ask which standard the downstream processor holds before drop-off. ### Why this matters legally Skipping compliant disposal has measurable penalty exposure: - **EU [WEEE Directive](https://ecyclingcentral.com/regulations/weee-directive-eu) 2012/19/EU + UK WEEE Regulations 2013**: producer + waste-generator liability. Penalties typically £5,000-£50,000 per incident under environmental enforcement. - **US state [e-waste definition](https://ecyclingcentral.com/glossary/e-waste) laws**: 25 states have mandatory laws as of 2026. Penalties range $1,500-$25,000 per incident (California Universal Waste Rule, New York Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act). - **EPA RCRA 40 CFR Part 273**: federal Universal Waste Rule covers e-waste. Up to $76,764 per day per violation as of 2026. - **UK GDPR + EU GDPR Art 32**: personal data on disposed devices triggers liability if not properly sanitised. Penalties up to £17.5M or 4% global turnover. Check your specific risk via [E-Waste Fines Checker](/tools/e-waste-fines-checker). ### Three common consumer mistakes 1. **Putting electronics in general waste.** Most jurisdictions explicitly ban this; municipal collection rejects loads at the kerb. 2. **Trusting "free pickup" without verifying certification.** Some scrap collectors export to non-OECD countries (violates e-Stewards + [Basel Convention](https://ecyclingcentral.com/regulations/basel-convention-on-hazardous-waste)). Always ask for R2v3 or e-Stewards certificate before handing over devices. 3. **Wiping data via factory reset only on SSDs.** Factory reset on SSD does NOT cryptographically erase - drive may still have recoverable data. Use [data sanitisation standard](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/nist-800-88-data-sanitisation-standards) Purge for SSDs. ### Frequently asked questions **Is electronics recycling always free?** For consumer drop-off and mail-in: yes, free at point of use under producer-pays framework. Exceptions: bulk appliance pickup ($25-$50), CRT TVs/monitors ($19-$50), oversized batteries. **Will the recycler resell my data?** Reputable recyclers either (a) wipe to NIST 800-88 standard before any onward sale, or (b) physically destroy data-bearing media before reuse path. Ask which method applies before drop-off. **What happens if my device still has value?** Don't recycle - trade in first. Even a 5-year-old smartphone often fetches £25-£80 trade-in vs $0 recycling. Compare via [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder). ### Related guides + tools - [Recycling Locator](/tools/recycling-locator) - find nearby drop-off - [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder) - compare 7 buyback services - [Manufacturer Take-Back Finder](/tools/manufacturer-takeback-finder) - verified producer programmes - [E-Waste Fines Checker](/tools/e-waste-fines-checker) - penalty exposure if you skip compliant disposal - [GDPR Data Erasure Certificate Generator](/tools/gdpr-erasure-certificate-generator) - free certificate template --- *Framework verified against EU WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU + UK WEEE Regulations 2013 + EPA RCRA 40 CFR Part 273 + US state e-waste laws + NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1 as of 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914). Rules update annually - verify current penalties on enforcement-authority sites before relying on figures.*

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest off-peak electricity tariff in the UK in 2026?

Octopus Intelligent Go and EDF GoElectric currently offer the lowest off-peak rates at 4.5-8p/kWh. Octopus Go is also competitive at 6-8p with a simpler 4-hour window.

Do I need a smart meter for a time-of-use tariff?

Yes — SMETS2 smart meter required. Most UK households now have SMETS2; if you don't, your supplier will install one free.

Which tariff works best with a plug-and-play battery?

Octopus Go (6-8p off-peak vs 30-40p peak — maximum price spread). The 4-hour off-peak window is enough to fully charge a 2.5-2.6 kWh battery once per day.

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