Octopus Economy 7
How the Octopus Energy Economy 7 tariff works, what your cheap hours are, and how to tell whether it's right for you.
What are the Octopus Economy 7 times?
It depends on which meter you have.
| Your meter | Winter (GMT) | Summer (BST) |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus smart meter | 00:30 – 07:30 | 01:30 – 08:30 |
| Older (non-smart) meter | Whatever times are already set on your meter. These vary by region. | |
Octopus says its smart meters use a fixed 7-hour window of 00:30 to 07:30 on UTC, which is the same as winter time. So when the clocks go forward in March, the cheap hours run from 01:30 to 08:30 by the clock. Octopus also notes this may be different from the off-peak hours on your old meter.
Check whether it's cheap right now (choose "I have an Octopus smart meter").
How much does Octopus Economy 7 cost?
Prices depend on your region and change over time, so we don't print them here. To see today's rates:
- Go to the Octopus Energy website and get a quote with your postcode.
- When it asks about your meter, say you have Economy 7 (or a two-rate meter).
- Compare the day rate, the night rate and the standing charge with your current bill.
Is Octopus Economy 7 worth it?
The same rule applies as for any Economy 7 tariff. It's usually worth it if you use roughlya third or more of your electricity at night, typically because you have storage heaters, an immersion heater for hot water, or an electric car you charge overnight.More on whether Economy 7 is worth it.
Other Octopus tariffs to consider
Octopus also has smart tariffs with cheap night-time hours aimed at particular homes, for example tariffs for electric car owners and for homes with heat pumps. If you have a smart meter, check which of these fits how you use electricity before choosing Economy 7. The cheap hours and rates are different on each one.
Octopus Economy 7 questions
Do I need a new meter to get Octopus Economy 7?
Not usually. If you already have an Economy 7 (two-rate) meter or a smart meter, you can normally switch tariff without changing it.
Will my hours change if Octopus fits a smart meter?
They might. Octopus smart meters use 00:30–07:30 (UTC), which may differ from the hours on your old meter. If your storage heaters or immersion heater are on separate timers, check that they still line up with the new hours.
Does Octopus Economy 7 change when the clocks go forward?
On an Octopus smart meter the cheap hours stay fixed to UTC, so by the clock they run an hour later in summer: 01:30 to 08:30.
We're independent and not part of Octopus Energy. Details come from Octopus's own help pages, last checked November 2026. Always check the latest terms with Octopus before switching.