Cheap-rate electricity sounds great in theory, but how do people actually remember?

SmartEnergyDIY

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960866#Comment_81960866

yeah fair, but I think you’re in the minority

most people don’t have fixed cheap hours like that or just don’t think about it daily

for me the issue wasn’t knowing the hours, it was actually reacting at the right moment consistently

silvercar

We have a cheap rate midnight to 7am. I have set the timers on the electric cars so they only charge between those times. So now I can plug in at anytime and they won’t charge outside those hours.

Before I go to bed I think whether the dishwasher or washing machine needs to go on. It’s one of the bedtime tasks to set them. They both have delay timers, so I can set them in the evening and they will switch on at the correct time.

It becomes a habit and isn’t that difficult to do.

silvercar

I’ll move this to the energy board.

matelodave

TBH if you have put the effort into getting a TOU tariff then its probably worth a bit more effort trying to make it work. There's not much point it doing it, as there's a better than even chance that it will cost you a lot more than if you'd just gone for a cheap single tariff fix and saved yourself the hassle and worry.

Its not that difficult to set an alarm on your phone or install some smart plugs or use the timer function on a dishwasher, washing machine or even tumble dryer if you trust it (fit a smoke alarm to warn you of a problem if you are worried).

Our dryer sits in the utility room with the door closed and it does its thing. We wouldn't know if there was a problem until the ute was well alight even during the day when we are up and about. Much the same with the washing machine and dishwasher. Most problems with tumble dryers are caused when the filters and vents aren't checked or cleaned after every use meaning the dryer overheats because of the restricted airflow..

dunstonh

yeah fair, but I think you’re in the minority

I disagree. The likes of economy 7 have been around for nearly 50 years. Its nothing new and people that have been on economy 7 (or other varients) are well used to it.

most people don’t have fixed cheap hours like that or just don’t think about it daily

There are about 3 million households on economy 7 or TOU tarrifs. So, its not a small number. Most of those that are know how to utilise it

for me the issue wasn’t knowing the hours, it was actually reacting at the right moment consistently

We have about 70% of our use at the lower rate. And nearly all of it is done by timers.

Swipe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960921#Comment_81960921

During BST my cheap rate lasts until 8:37am. So waking around 6-6:30am covers my washing machine and dishwasher cycles while I'm up.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6663907/cheap-rate-electricity-sounds-great-in-theory-but-how-do-people-actually-remember

On IOG & do not run washer or dryer overnight. Only thing that would go on overnight is car, even that would only be a max of 8 a month with 2 EV's. Get more benefit, when we get daytime slots to charge car & then can run more household stuff at off peak rate.

So far this month 2 set overnight charges were completed before 23:30. Car always plugged in as soon a charge requested, so you get these slots. Noticed car charging & chucked washing in, rather than waiting till next day. (so bonus whole house at 5.2p)

Average unit rate is between 12 & 17p kWh depending on how many car charges a month. Peak rate 26.08 kWh

SmartEnergyDIY

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960921#Comment_81960921

yeah I get that honestly

that’s actually one of the reasons I never really liked the “just run everything at night” advice

it sounds good for saving money, but it doesn’t always feel comfortable or safe

SmartEnergyDIY

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960974#Comment_81960974

yeah that’s fair

I tried doing that for a while (alarms, timers etc) and it works… but only if you stay consistent with it

for me the problem was after a few days I just stopped paying attention and went back to normal

SmartEnergyDIY

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81961015#Comment_81961015

yeah that’s fair

I think the difference is more about consistency than knowing the hours

like timers work great if your routine never changes, but as soon as your schedule shifts a bit (weekends, random evenings etc) it gets harder to stay optimal

that’s where I personally struggled the most