Home battery storage can help you use cheaper electricity when energy prices are lower, rather than relying on the grid during more expensive periods.
The principle is similar to Economy 7, which has offered households cheaper overnight electricity since the late 1970s. Instead of charging storage heaters, however, you can now charge a home battery overnight and use that electricity during the day.
Some modern tariffs also pay you to export surplus electricity back to the grid, making them particularly useful for homes with both solar panels and battery storage.
In this guide, we compare some of the best UK electricity tariffs for home battery storage and explain what to look for before switching.
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Best electricity tariffs for battery storage
Tariff rates can vary by location and change regularly, so you should always request a personalised quote from the supplier before switching.
Supplier | Tariff | Off-peak period | Off-peak rate | Best for |
British Gas | Charge Power | 12am–5am | 50% below the standard unit rate | Battery owners without an EV |
Octopus Energy | Octopus Flux | 2am–5am | Varies by region | Homes with solar panels and battery storage |
EDF | GoElectric | 11pm-6am | 6.99p/kWh | Battery owners who also have an EV |
E.ON Next | Next Drive Smart | 12am-6am | 8p/kWh | Homes with a compatible EV and charger |
Table last updated: July 2026.
Check Octopus Energy rates in your area.
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British Gas Charge Power
British Gas Charge Power is one of the few tariffs specifically designed for home battery owners.
It provides electricity at half the normal unit rate between midnight and 5am, allowing you to charge your battery overnight before using the stored electricity during the day.
Unlike most of the cheapest overnight tariffs, you do not need to own an electric vehicle. British Gas confirms that the tariff is available to customers with an eligible home battery.
The exact overnight price depends on the standard electricity rate offered at your property. For example, if the normal rate were 26p per kWh, the overnight rate would be approximately 13p per kWh.
This may not be as cheap as some EV tariffs, but it is a useful option for battery owners who do not have an electric car.
Octopus Flux
Octopus Flux is designed specifically for homes with both solar panels and battery storage.
It offers cheaper imported electricity between 2am and 5am, allowing you to charge your battery overnight. Export prices are then higher between 4pm and 7pm, when demand on the grid is typically greater.
The exact import and export rates vary by postcode, so Octopus requires you to enter your location to see the current prices.
Flux can work well if you:
Generate surplus solar electricity
Have enough battery capacity to avoid expensive peak imports
Can export electricity during the 4pm–7pm period
Have a compatible smart meter providing half-hourly readings
However, its peak import rate can be expensive. If your battery regularly runs empty during the early evening, a simpler overnight tariff may offer better value.
Check Octopus Energy rates in your area.
Get £50 credit when you switch to Octopus. Existing customers may also benefit. Terms apply. One switching offer per household.
Referral disclosure: using our Octopus referral link may give you a referral credit, and we may receive a referral reward.
EDF GoElectric
EDF GoElectric offers seven hours of off-peak electricity between 11pm and 6am at 6.99p per kWh.
The reduced rate applies to electricity used throughout the home during that period, meaning you can charge both an eligible EV and your home battery overnight. (EDF)
Its seven-hour window is particularly useful for larger batteries, as the system has more time to charge without needing to operate at its maximum charging rate.
However, this is an EV tariff, so you will need an electric vehicle to qualify. You should also compare EDF’s daytime rate, standing charge and exit fees before switching.
E.ON Next Drive Smart
E.ON Next Drive Smart currently provides six hours of off-peak electricity between midnight and 6am at 8p per kWh.
The discounted rate applies to whole-home electricity use, not just the energy used to charge your vehicle.
That means you can schedule your home battery and other appliances to run during the same overnight period.
You will need an eligible EV, compatible charger and smart meter providing half-hourly readings.
The current peak rate is 27.456p per kWh, although rates and eligibility requirements can change. (E.ON Next)
Which battery tariff is best?
The best tariff depends on the technology already installed at your property.
Battery storage without an EV
British Gas Charge Power is currently one of the clearest options because it is designed specifically for home battery owners.
You should also compare it with Economy 7 and other time-of-use tariffs available in your area.
Solar panels and battery storage
Octopus Flux is likely to be one of the strongest options because it combines cheaper overnight charging with higher export payments during the early evening.
However, it works best when your battery is large enough to prevent you from importing much electricity during the expensive 4pm–7pm period.
EV and battery storage
EDF GoElectric and E.ON Next Drive Smart both provide cheap whole-home electricity overnight.
EDF currently offers the lower headline rate and the longer charging window, but the best overall tariff will depend on the daytime rate, standing charge and your eligibility.
How much could you save?
Suppose your battery delivers 8kWh of stored electricity to your home each day.
If daytime electricity costs 27p per kWh, buying that electricity directly from the grid would cost:
8kWh × 27p = £2.16 per day
If overnight electricity costs 8p per kWh and the battery has a round-trip efficiency of 90%, you would need to import approximately 8.9kWh to deliver 8kWh later.
8.9kWh × 8p = approximately 71p
That produces an indicative saving of:
£2.16 − £0.71 = £1.45 per day
Over a full year, that would be approximately £529.
This is only an illustration. Actual savings will depend on your electricity usage, tariff, battery efficiency, solar generation and how frequently the battery completes a full cycle.
How to make the most of your tariff
A larger battery is not automatically better.
The right battery should be sized around how much electricity your household uses during expensive periods, rather than simply choosing the largest model available.
Important factors include:
Usable storage capacity
Maximum charge and discharge power
Round-trip efficiency
Battery warranty
Solar-panel compatibility
Backup-power capability
The length of your tariff’s off-peak window
For example, the Tesla Powerwall 3 provides 13.5kWh of usable storage and high power output.
This can make it suitable for larger households, homes with solar panels or properties that want backup power.
A smaller household may achieve a better return from a lower-capacity and less expensive battery.
The image above features a Tesla Powerwall 3 installation completed by Heatable’s Tesla-certified installers.
Can you export stored electricity?
Some tariffs allow you to export surplus electricity back to the grid in exchange for payment.
However, you should not assume you can simply charge your battery cheaply overnight and sell all the electricity back at a profit.
Battery losses, export restrictions, battery degradation and Distribution Network Operator export limits can all affect the calculation.
Octopus Energy’s standard Outgoing Octopus export tariff currently pays 12p per kWh following a rate change in March 2026.
Whether a particular export tariff accepts electricity that was originally imported from the grid will depend on the supplier’s terms.
For most households, the main financial benefit of battery storage comes from avoiding expensive daytime imports rather than repeatedly buying and reselling electricity.
What do I need to sign up for a smart tariff?
Most smart tariffs require a compatible smart meter capable of submitting half-hourly readings.
This allows the supplier to distinguish between electricity used during peak and off-peak periods.
For an export tariff, you may also need:
Solar panels or another eligible generation system
An export-capable smart meter
An Export MPAN
Distribution Network Operator approval or notification
Installation documentation
An MCS certificate
MCS certification is not generally required simply to use an import tariff. However, many export suppliers require an MCS certificate before accepting an installation.
Using an MCS-certified installer such as Heatable can therefore make it easier to connect the system correctly and apply for an export tariff.
What if I have an EV or heat pump?
Owning an EV can give you access to some of the cheapest overnight electricity rates.
You can schedule the vehicle, home battery and suitable household appliances to charge during the same off-peak window.
However, the installer should ensure that the combined demand from the EV charger, battery and household remains within the electrical capacity of the property.
Heat pumps require a slightly different approach because they use electricity throughout the day, particularly during colder weather.
A battery can reduce some peak-time consumption, but it may not be large enough to power a heat pump through an entire winter day.
When comparing heat-pump tariffs, consider the overnight rate, daytime rate, battery capacity and expected winter electricity use rather than relying on summer consumption figures.
Types of battery-compatible tariff
Time-of-use tariffs
These tariffs offer different electricity prices at fixed times of the day. They are generally the easiest to use with battery storage because the battery can be programmed to charge during the cheap period.
Dynamic tariffs
Dynamic tariffs change their electricity prices according to wholesale market conditions.
Prices can sometimes become extremely low or even negative, but they can also become expensive during periods of high demand.
Export tariffs
Export tariffs pay you for eligible electricity sent back to the grid.
The export rate may be fixed, time-based or linked to wholesale electricity prices.
Explore a Battery Storage Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on battery storage. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above features a Tesla Powerwall 3 installation performed by our team of Tesla-certified installers at Heatable.
Related battery guides:
Types of Tariffs Compatible with Battery Storage
There are several energy tariffs you can utilise with battery storage, including:
Time-of-Use Tariffs: These tariffs offer lower electricity prices during off-peak hours, such as night-time, to encourage usage during these periods.
Dynamic Tariffs: These tariffs provide real-time pricing based on wholesale market rates, allowing you to benefit from lower prices that can sometimes even turn negative.
Export Tariffs: These tariffs enable you to export excess energy to the grid during peak times in exchange for payment.
Next Steps For Your Battery Journey:
When planning to install battery storage for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their battery installation.
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