What is a smart tariff?
A smart tariff is an energy plan that works with a smart meter to track your electricity usage in real-time. It offers different rates depending on the time of day, such as lower prices during off-peak hours when demand is lower.
Peak hours are times of the day when electricity demand is at its highest, typically during the morning and evening when households and businesses are most active.
Off-peak hours (or non-peak hours) occur when demand is lower, usually late at night and during quieter daytime periods, leading to reduced energy costs on certain tariffs.
Do I need a smart meter to benefit from the smart tariff?
Yes, you need a compatible smart meter that communicates with us and provides half-hourly updates on energy consumption.
Why do I need a smart meter to join this tariff?
Our smart tariffs require a smart meter capable of capturing and reporting half-hourly data. This ensures accurate tracking of your electricity usage during peak and off-peak periods, allowing us to apply the correct rates and ensure your bill reflects your actual energy consumption.
What if I don’t have a smart meter?
If you don’t have one, you can start by joining one of our standard tariffs, and we will arrange for a free smart meter installation.
When will my Smart Meter be installed?
We’re committed to getting your smart meter installed as soon as possible! Installation depends on engineer availability, but rest assured as soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll be in touch to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.
Can I join this tariff if I have a prepayment meter?
Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting customers with prepayment meters for our smart tariff. We recommend discussing a meter change with us or checking back for future updates to our tariff eligibility.
What additional equipment is required to benefit from the time-of-use tariff?
Aside from a smart meter, no extra equipment is absolutely required. However, tools like home battery systems, solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), or smart appliances can enhance the advantages of our smart tariffs.
How can I monitor my energy usage with a Smart Tariff?
With a smart meter, you can track your energy consumption in real-time. Outfox the Market provides an online portal where you can view your usage and see how it aligns with peak and off-peak periods.
Who can benefit most from the smart tariffs?
Those who can adjust their energy usage to off-peak hours benefit the most from Time of Use tariffs. By shifting electricity consumption to times when demand is lower, they can reduce their energy costs. Additionally, this helps decrease reliance on gas-powered electricity, contributing to the UK’s goal of reaching net zero.
What if there are problems with my smart meter?
If the meter stops communicating for any reason, we will bill you to the cheapest Standard variable tariff applied to you at the time of sign up. You will remain on SVT until the communication is established.
If a technical issue occurs or your meter stops communicating, preventing us from accessing your usage data, we will estimate your bill(s) based on your average consumption during peak and standard periods. If there isn’t enough historical data available, we will use average consumption figures provided by Ofgem.
By choosing one of these tariffs, you acknowledge and accept that, despite our best efforts, technical faults may arise that cannot always be immediately resolved. In some cases, even if communication is restored, we may not be able to recover or use the consumption data for the period when the meter was offline.
Can I transition to a Smart Tariff from another supplier?
Yes. If you are switching from another supplier, we will perform test readings on your smart meter for up to 14 days and aim to activate your Smart Tariff within 14 business days. During this period, you will be on the Standard Variable Tariff applied at the time of sign-up. If we can’t activate the Smart Tariff in that time, you will remain on the cheapest Standard Variable Tariff.
I signed up for the smart tariff but haven’t heard anything yet. What’s going on?
If you haven’t received any updates, try the following:
- Check your email for a confirmation from us.
- Log into your account to check for updates.
- Wait a little longer; the process may take some time.
- If you still haven't heard back, contact our customer service to verify the status of your registration.