What Time Is Half Price Electricity with British Gas? Times, Tariffs & Tips Explained
When you see the words "half-price electricity," your first thought is probably, "What's the catch?" It sounds almost too good to be true. But in the world of smart meters and time-of-use tariffs, these offers are becoming a powerful tool for savvy households across the UK to slash their energy bills. British Gas, one of the country's biggest suppliers, has been at the forefront with its various half-price electricity schemes. Essentially, these deals offer electricity at a significantly reduced rate during specific off-peak hours, encouraging you to shift your usage away from expensive peak times. It’s a win-win: you save money, and the National Grid eases the strain during high-demand periods. But to make it work for you, you need to know the rules of the game. This guide will break down exactly what time is half-price electricity with British Gas, which tariffs offer it, and how you can maximise the savings, potentially pairing it with your own generation and storage for even greater independence.
When Is British Gas Electricity Half-Price?
So, let’s tackle the big question head-on. What time is half-price electricity with British Gas? There’s no single universal answer for every supplier or tariff, but for British Gas, the headline details are clear: PeakSave delivers a regular half-price electricity window on Sundays, 11:00–16:00.
How to Qualify and Enrol
Be a British Gas electricity customer. PeakSave is offered to British Gas customers only.
Have a working smart working electricity meter. Smart-meter data is required so British Gas can record and credit usage in the correct time bands.
Register for PeakSave if required. Some PeakSave features require a simple sign-up via your British Gas account; once you are a PeakSaver, the Sunday half-price event is applied automatically, and credits are calculated from smart-meter readings.
Check your account and T&Cs. Always confirm your enrolment status and read the supplier terms so you know how credits appear on your bill and whether any promotional eligibility applies.
Samsung Weekend Saver Fix — What it Adds
The Samsung Weekend Saver Fix is a named fixed tariff launched in partnership with Samsung; it builds on PeakSave by adding an extra weekend half-price window.
Half-price hours: Customers on the Samsung Weekend Saver Fix receive half-price electricity on Saturdays, 11:00–16:00, in addition to the standard PeakSave Sunday window (11:00–16:00).
Eligibility & enrolment: You must switch to the Samsung Weekend Saver Fix tariff and meet any promotion conditions (the offer may require registering a Samsung account or owning/purchasing a qualifying Samsung product as specified in the tariff terms). Credits for Saturday events typically show separately on your bill (e.g. labelled ‘Samsung Saturdays’). Read the tariff FAQs and promotion T&Cs before switching.
Tariff type: This is a fixed tariff—unit rates are locked for the contract term, so compare the fixed price against alternatives before committing.
Other PeakSave Variants and Practical Tips
Extra events: British Gas also runs PeakSave Green Flex and occasional short-notice events that offer additional discounted hours when renewable generation is high; these events vary and usually require opt-in or prior registration.
Practical checklist: confirm smart-meter status, log into your British Gas account to check or join PeakSave, read the Samsung Weekend Saver Fix FAQs if you’re considering that tariff, and keep an eye on your bills to confirm credits have been applied.
Top Tips to Maximize Your Savings
Getting the tariff is just step one. To truly hammer down your bills, you need a strategy.
Schedule Smartly with Technology
This is where a bit of home tech can make a world of difference. Your first line of defence is simple automation. Using the built-in delay timer on your washing machine or dishwasher, or investing in a few smart plugs, can effortlessly shift those loads into your cheap electricity window. Set them and forget them—no need to stay up until 7 pm to press 'start'.
For those looking to manage energy on a larger scale, a dedicated home energy management system takes the thinking out of the equation. These systems can intelligently coordinate your high-demand appliances and even integrate with storage solutions, automating decisions to maximise your use of cheap-rate power.
For instance, a comprehensive system like the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra + STREAM AC Pro can be configured to prioritise your tariff schedule, ensuring your home automatically draws on the cheapest available energy source without you lifting a finger.
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra + STREAM AC Pro
Ultimately, pairing a clever tariff with your own renewable generation is the holy grail for independence and savings. While a fully off-grid solar system isn't practical for everyone, a robust solar panel array combined with a sizeable battery brings you closer to that ideal. This approach lets you create a two-tiered energy reserve. You can store the cheap electricity from your off-peak hours and harness free solar power during the day.
A solution such as the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra + 4×450 W Rigid Solar Panel exemplifies this setup, building a powerful buffer that protects you from peak-time rates and significantly cuts your grid dependence year-round.
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra + 4×450 W Rigid Solar Panel
Adopt General Energy-Saving Habits
Tech is great, but simple behaviour changes are free. Wash clothes at 30 degrees, avoid overfilling the kettle, and draught-proof your home. Be mindful of "vampire" devices on standby. Every little bit of energy you save during peak times is money in your pocket, and if you've shifted loads to your cheap period, your overall bill plummets.
Explore Further Financial Support
If you're struggling with bills, don't forget to check if you're eligible for government schemes like the Warm Home Discount or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) for home insulation improvements. Reducing your overall energy need is the most effective saving of all.
Conclusion
So, to circle back to the core question: what time is half-price electricity with British Gas? The core window is Sundays, 11:00–16:00, but your specific contract has the final say. Success lies in matching your high-energy tasks to these periods and using technology to automate the process. If you're considering going a step further—for example, by investing in solar battery storage to amplify your savings—then be sure to factor the solar battery storage cost and long-term return into your planning. It requires a shift in mindset and some upfront planning, but the reward on your bill can make it all worthwhile.
FAQs
What is the cheapest time of day to use electricity with British Gas?
For British Gas customers on PeakSave, the advertised half-price window is Sundays 11:00–16:00; the Samsung Weekend Saver Fix adds Saturdays 11:00–16:00 for qualifying customers. Always confirm your account/terms for exact eligibility.
Is it cheaper to run the dishwasher at night?
It depends on your tariff: many UK night-rate tariffs (e.g. Economy 7) offer their cheapest block overnight—typically midnight–07:00—so running heavy appliances then can be cheaper if you’re on that plan. However, British Gas’s PeakSave/Samsung weekend windows are mid-day at weekends (11:00–16:00), not the late-night block.
Safety note: running washing machines, tumble dryers, or dishwashers unattended overnight carries a fire risk; Do not leave some appliances running while you sleep or are out. Use delay timers and follow manufacturer safety guidance.
What is the cheapest time to buy electricity?
Daily Cheapest Time: For many time-of-use tariffs in the UK, the cheapest electricity during a single day tends to occur overnight when demand is low. Traditional off-peak blocks — such as Economy 7 or similar plans — often offer reduced rates for night hours, typically around midnight to early morning (e.g., 11 pm–6 am or midnight–7 am). This reflects lower grid demand and reduced wholesale costs at those hours.
Tariff-Specific Cheapest Times:
Economy 7: Offers a block of roughly seven cheap hours at night (e.g., midnight–07:00 on many suppliers), but exact windows vary by region and supplier.
Smart/EV Tariffs: Some tariffs (e.g., EV-focused plans like Octopus Go) have dedicated overnight cheap windows like 00:30–05:30.
Dynamic Market Pricing: Tariffs that price electricity every half hour based on wholesale costs can show cheap periods that don’t fit a simple overnight block; sometimes midday or weekends may be cheaper when demand and wholesale costs fall.