Live Direct Debit rates per kWh for UK average, from Octopus Energy's standard variable tariffs.
Standard tariffs: same price all day
Most UK homes pay one price for electricity whatever the time. If that's you, gaming at 2am costs exactly the same as gaming at 7pm.
Economy 7: cheap nights, dearer days
Economy 7 gives you 7 hours of cheaper electricity overnight, usually somewhere between midnight and 8am depending on your meter. The catch is that the daytime rate is higher than a standard tariff.
| Rate | Per kWh | PS5 per hour | Gaming PC (650 W) per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy 7 night | about 14p | – | – |
| Economy 7 day | about 33p | – | – |
| Standard tariff | 26.32p | 5.5p | 17p |
Should gamers switch to Economy 7?
For most people, no. Economy 7 only saves money if you use a lot of your electricity at night (around 40% or more is the usual rule of thumb), because you pay extra for everything during the day. Late-night gaming alone rarely shifts enough usage. It suits homes with storage heaters, an electric car or a hot water tank on a timer.
If you're already on Economy 7, though, gaming in your off-peak hours roughly halves the cost of each session.
What about smart tariffs?
Some suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs with cheap periods at different times. They work the same way: worth it if you can move a lot of your usage, not just your gaming. Check your supplier's off-peak hours before planning around them.
Sources: Octopus Energy tariff data, Digital Foundry via Notebookcheck, Evetech.