Utility Warehouse + Battery: No Smart Meter Needed
UW Economy 7 still works with traditional dual-rate meters — making it the easiest tariff to pair with a plug-in battery if you've been refused a smart meter. 7 hours of ~9.5p/kWh, no SMETS2 required.
How much can you save on Utility Warehouse?
See your personalised battery savings using UW's cheap overnight rates. Pick the EV (5-hour) or Economy 7 (7-hour) tariff below.
Which tariff are you on?
What region are you in?
Your supply region is on your Utility Warehouse bill or online account.
How Utility Warehouse Economy 7 Works
Utility Warehouse offers an Economy 7 tariff with a straightforward two-rate structure: between midnight and 7am, you pay approximately 9.5p/kWh. During the remaining 17 hours, you pay the standard day rate of around 30–32p/kWh depending on your region.
What makes UW particularly attractive is the 7-hour off-peak window — one of the longest available on any UK Economy 7 tariff. This gives the plug-in home battery ample time to fully charge, even with larger configurations. Plus, UW's bundling model means you can combine energy with broadband, mobile, and insurance for additional savings.
Why UW Economy 7 is Great for Batteries
The key to battery savings is the spread between your cheap overnight rate and your expensive daytime rate. With UW Economy 7, this spread is typically 22p or more per kWh — meaning every kWh you shift from day to night saves you over 22p.
Unlike some EV-specific tariffs, Economy 7 doesn't require you to own an electric vehicle. Anyone with a multi-rate meter (or smart meter) can access these rates, making it one of the most accessible battery-friendly tariffs in the UK.
UW Economy 7 vs Other UK Tariffs
How does Utility Warehouse compare to other suppliers?
| Supplier | Tariff | Off-Peak Rate | Off-Peak Window | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility Warehouse | Economy 7 | ~9.5p/kWh | 00:00–07:00 | 7 |
| E.ON | Next Drive | 7.5p/kWh | 00:00–06:00 | 6 |
| Octopus | Go | 7.5p/kWh | 00:30–04:30 | 4 |
| Octopus | Intelligent Go | 7.5p/kWh | 23:30–05:30 | 6 |
| Scottish Power | EV Saver | 8.5p/kWh | 00:00–05:00 | 5 |
| British Gas | Battery Tariff | ~12.5p/kWh | 00:00–05:00 | 5 |
| EDF | GoElectric | 6.99p/kWh | 23:00–06:00 | 7 |
| OVO | Charge Anytime | 14p/kWh | Smart managed | ~5 |
Key takeaway: While UW's overnight rate (~9.5p) is slightly higher than Octopus Go or E.ON Next Drive (7.5p), UW offers the longest off-peak window at 7 hours and doesn't require an EV. The ~22p spread still delivers excellent battery savings, and UW's bundling discounts can offset the slightly higher overnight rate.
The UW Bundling Advantage
Utility Warehouse is unique in the UK energy market for its bundling model. By combining your energy with broadband, mobile, and home insurance, you can earn cashback and additional discounts. When you factor in these bundle savings alongside battery storage arbitrage, UW can be one of the most cost-effective overall packages for UK households.
Why our plug-in batteries Works for UW Customers Without a Smart Meter
Most modern battery + tariff combinations now require SMETS2 smart meter data to time-shift consumption. The plug-in battery doesn't — it uses its own CT clamp on the meter tails to detect import vs export, and you can hard-schedule the charge window via the app to match your existing dual-rate meter's Economy 7 hours. That makes UW one of the few tariffs that pairs cleanly with a plug-in battery even on legacy metering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a smart meter for UW Economy 7?
No — Economy 7 works with traditional multi-rate meters (the original Economy 7 meters) as well as smart meters. If you already have a two-rate meter, you can sign up for UW's Economy 7 tariff and start benefiting immediately.
Can I bundle energy with broadband and mobile?
Yes — Utility Warehouse is one of the few UK suppliers that lets you bundle energy, broadband, mobile, and insurance into a single bill. This can provide additional cashback and simplify your household bills. Combined with battery storage savings, it's a powerful combination.
Is Utility Warehouse available in my area?
Utility Warehouse supplies energy across all 14 UK supply regions in England, Scotland, and Wales. They have over 1 million customers and growing. You can check availability and switch directly through a UW Partner.
Do I need an EV for UW Economy 7?
No — unlike some EV-specific tariffs from other suppliers, Economy 7 is available to all customers with a multi-rate meter. You don't need an electric vehicle to benefit from cheap overnight rates.