How night saver works
A night saver tariff charges different rates for day and night electricity. The night unit rate is lower, while the day rate can be higher than a standard 24-hour tariff.
This setup can suit homes with storage heating, EV charging, immersion timers, or appliances that can run overnight safely.
Who saves most
The more electricity you can shift into the night period, the more attractive night saver becomes. EV owners can be strong candidates because charging can use a large amount of electricity at predictable times.
If your home is occupied during the day and most usage happens at breakfast, dinner, and evening peak times, a standard or smart tariff may work better.
- Good fit: EV charging overnight.
- Good fit: storage heaters using night units.
- Possible fit: dishwasher, washing machine, and immersion use on timers.
- Poor fit: mostly daytime and early evening usage.
Night saver vs smart tariffs
Smart tariffs can split the day into more than two periods, such as day, peak, and night. A night saver tariff is simpler, but smart plans may offer more targeted cheap windows.
Compare the whole pattern, not just the cheapest unit rate. A very cheap night rate can be offset by a high peak rate if your home uses a lot of electricity in the evening.
Useful sources
- ESB Networks smart meter time bands
- SEAI smart meters and tariffs
- CRU energy suppliers list