Octopus Energy is encouraging UK households to adopt a daily 'rule' for electricity use to reduce energy bills. The supplier suggests timing high-energy tasks, such as laundry, between midnight and 4pm to take advantage of cleaner, greener renewable sources and potentially lower costs.
On its energy-saving tips page, Octopus states: 'Between midnight and 4pm, more of the UK's power comes from clean, green renewable sources.' It also notes that customers on day/night tariffs can benefit from cheaper night-time rates for overnight washing or electric vehicle charging.
However, the advice depends on the specific energy tariff. For those on a standard flat-rate tariff, electricity prices remain constant throughout the day. To save money by shifting usage, households need a time-of-use tariff, such as Economy Seven or a smart meter tariff.
Off-peak hours typically occur at night, often a seven-hour period from midnight to 7am or similar windows like 10pm to 8am. Peak hours, when rates are highest, usually fall in the morning (7am-9am) and evening (4pm-7pm). Octopus recommends using timers on appliances like washing machines and dishwashers to run them during off-peak times.
Time-of-use tariffs are only beneficial if households can shift at least 40% of their electricity use to cheaper hours. Customers are advised to check their bills to confirm their tariff type and exact off-peak periods, and to avoid running heavy appliances during peak evening hours.
