The unusual kick-off times of the 2026 men's FIFA World Cup — hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States — are drawing fresh attention to time-of-use electricity tariffs, with research suggesting that running household appliances during the small hours could generate meaningful savings on energy bills, according to the Guardian.
How time-of-use tariffs work
Unlike standard variable tariffs, time-of-use deals charge different rates depending on when electricity is consumed. E.ON Next's Next Smart Saver tariff, highlighted in the Guardian's report, operates across three pricing bands: a peak rate of 39p per kilowatt hour (kWh) between 4pm and 7pm; an off-peak rate of 18p per kWh; and a super off-peak rate of 13p per kWh between 2am and 5am.
Julian Lennertz, chief commercial officer at E.ON Next, is quoted as saying: "Millions are set to be awake for night-time games, unaware it's also one of the cheapest times to use electricity."
Potential national and household savings
Research commissioned by E.ON Next and carried out by Jan Rosenow, a professor of energy and climate policy at the Environmental Change Institute, compared the cost of running a washing machine during the cheapest tariff window across 35 World Cup match days against the government's energy price cap. The analysis found this could save households collectively £93 million.
At a household level, Rosenow calculated that switching five typical daily activities — such as watching television, ironing and using a tumble dryer — from peak to off-peak hours could save up to £230 a year versus the price cap. He noted that running a washing machine is typically responsible for 14% of a household's electricity bill.
Other tariffs entering the market
The Guardian also reported on EDF's dynamic tariff, FreePhase, which alerts customers the day before what electricity prices will be for the following 24 hours across three colour-coded bands. EDF said FreePhase saved customers £152 in the first five months of this year compared with a standard variable tariff.
Caveats and limitations
Energy experts quoted in the article urge caution. Joanna O'Loan, a knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust, told the Guardian that time-of-use tariffs are often worth considering for households with electric vehicles, heat pumps, storage heating, home batteries or smart appliances — but added that "this level of flexibility isn't possible for everyone, and without it, savings can be small, or even negative."
O'Loan noted that Ofgem estimates only 2–3% of households are currently on a time-of-use tariff, the majority of them linked to electric vehicle charging. She also highlighted that a smart meter is required to access newer smart time-of-use tariffs, as without one suppliers cannot track when electricity is used or apply the correct rates.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch, told the Guardian that while interest in these tariffs is growing, consumers "need to watch out for the more expensive peak rates between 4pm and 7pm." He added that those who use a lot of energy during the day may not benefit.
Rising bills on the horizon
The renewed interest in bill-cutting measures comes ahead of next month's energy price cap increase, which the Guardian reports will raise the average annual gas and electricity bill to £1,862 from July. For those seeking a fixed-rate deal, Gallizzi cited Outfox Energy as offering the cheapest available fixed tariff at the time of writing, at £1,611 per year for the average household — £251 below the July price cap level.
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