With energy prices still a major concern, many households are being encouraged to use electricity at cheaper times of day. This is where flexible tariffs and smart controls come in. Real-world examples include the British Gas Dimplex Quantum Tariff, which optimises charging for Dimplex Quantum storage heaters during the lowest-cost periods (typically a reduced rate from 12:30am to 7:30am), and Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Go, which smart-charges EVs and provides cheap overnight electricity for the home.
But despite installing smart meters, EV chargers or even battery storage systems, many people still ask the same question:
“Why didn’t my electricity bill go down?”
This guide explains — in simple terms — how flexible tariffs work, why timing matters, and how smart controls help households actually save money.
What Are Flexible (or Off-Peak) Electricity Tariffs?
Traditional electricity tariffs charge the same rate all day. Flexible tariffs don’t.
Instead, the price of electricity changes depending on:
- the time of day
- overall demand on the grid
- how much renewable energy is available
In most cases:
- electricity is cheapest overnight
- prices rise in the morning and early evening
- peak times are usually when most people are cooking, heating and charging devices
The idea is simple: Use more electricity when it’s cheap, less when it’s expensive.
Why a Smart Meter Alone Doesn’t Reduce Bills
A common misunderstanding is that installing a smart meter automatically lowers energy costs. It doesn’t.
A smart meter:
- measures electricity more accurately
- enables flexible tariffs
- shows usage data
But it doesn’t change when electricity is used.
If a household continues running appliances at peak times, bills may stay the same — or even increase.
Where Smart Controls Make the Difference
Smart controls are what turn flexible tariffs into real savings.
They allow households to:
- automatically shift energy use to cheaper periods
- avoid relying on memory or manual switching
- optimise how EVs, heating and batteries operate together
Instead of changing behaviour, the system does the work.
Examples of Smart Controls in Everyday Use
Smart heating controls
Heating systems can be programmed to:
- pre-heat homes during off-peak hours
- avoid peak pricing periods
- maintain comfort without constant high demand
EV charger scheduling
Most EV chargers allow charging to be:
- delayed overnight
- aligned with the cheapest tariff window
- stopped automatically when prices rise
Without scheduling, EV charging can become one of the most expensive household loads. Tariffs like Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Go take this further by automatically scheduling charges (and offering 6 hours of cheap home electricity overnight, often at rates as low as 7p/kWh) when energy is cheapest and greenest, potentially cutting costs significantly compared to standard rates.
Battery storage automation
Battery systems work best when paired with smart controls. They can:
- charge when electricity is cheapest
- store energy for later use
- supply power during peak periods
This is where many households finally see noticeable bill reductions.
“Why Didn’t My Bills Drop?” — The Most Common Reasons
If a household has a smart meter or flexible tariff but hasn’t seen savings, it’s usually because:
- energy use hasn’t shifted to off-peak times
- appliances aren’t scheduled or automated
- high-demand devices (EVs, heating) run during peak hours
- battery storage isn’t configured correctly
Smart controls solve these problems by removing guesswork.
How Smart Controls Fit Into Home Upgrades
Smart energy control works best when combined with:
- EV chargers
- battery storage
- electric heating or heat pumps
- upgraded consumer units
This is why controls are increasingly included during home upgrade and electrification projects, rather than added later.
How This Supports the Warm Homes Plan
The Warm Homes Plan isn’t just about adding new technology — it’s about using electricity more intelligently.
Flexible tariffs, combined with smart controls, help:
- reduce peak demand
- lower long-term energy costs
- support electrified homes sustainably
Without controls, many of these benefits are lost.
Supporting Smarter Energy Use with Electricpoint
Electricpoint supports electricians working on modern home upgrades with a wide range of products that enable smarter energy use — from heating controls and EV chargers to battery storage and supporting electrical infrastructure.
By integrating smart controls at the installation stage, electricians can help households get the most from flexible tariffs, reduce energy costs and ensure upgraded homes perform as intended.
y upgrade projects over the coming years. While heat pumps and insulation often make the headlines, a huge portion of the practical work will fall to electricians.
What is the Warm Homes Plan?
The Warm Homes Plan is a national programme designed to help households cut energy bills, improve comfort, and support the switch to cleaner energy at home. For electricians, it signals a major increase in retrofit work involving electrification, safety upgrades and smart energy technologies.
Key points (in simple terms):
- Major investment in home upgrades to improve warmth, efficiency and affordability.
- Support for a range of household types including homeowners, renters and social housing.
- More electrification in homes including clean heating, solar, battery storage and smarter energy use.
- Greater focus on building performance including insulation, ventilation and damp/mould prevention.
- More demand for skilled installers as upgrades scale up across the country.
Here are five essential things electricians should understand — and how to prepare for the wave of work ahead.
1. Domestic Electrical Upgrades Are About to Surge
Many Warm Homes upgrades — especially those involving heat pumps, solar batteries, or EV chargers — require significant changes to a property’s electrical system. Existing supplies are frequently inadequate, and key safety protections are often missing.
What electricians will encounter more frequently:
- Consumer unit upgrades
- Additional circuits
- Higher demand loads
- Compliance-driven replacements
Products that will feature on most jobs:
2. Battery Storage Is Becoming Standard on Retrofit Projects
With more homes adopting solar panels and switching to flexible tariffs, battery storage is shifting from luxury to practical necessity.
Battery storage helps households to:
- Store cheap off-peak electricity
- Maximise solar self-consumption
- Reduce peak-time grid reliance
It becomes especially valuable when combined with:
- EV chargers
- Heat pumps
- Smart tariffs
3. EV Charger Installations Will Often Follow Home Upgrades
Once a home is electrified (e.g., new supply upgrades for heat pumps or batteries), owners are much more likely to add an EV charger at the same time.
Why this opportunity matters:
- One visit = multiple installations
- Less disruption for the homeowner
- Higher margins for the electrician
4. Ventilation Is Now Essential in Upgraded, Airtight Homes
As homes become more energy-efficient and airtight, effective ventilation is critical to prevent damp, mould, and health problems. The Warm Homes Plan specifically ties upgrades to improving indoor air quality.
Electricians will increasingly install or support:
5. Smart Energy & Efficiency Products Are Now Core, Not Optional
The Warm Homes Plan encourages using electricity at the cheapest times, making smart controls and efficient lighting far more important.
Common, low-cost upgrades electricians will handle:
What the Warm Homes Plan Really Means for Electricians
The Warm Homes Plan isn’t just about heating — it’s about electrifying homes properly and safely.
Electricians who are confident with electrical capacity, compliance, ventilation, and smart energy systems will play a central role in almost every domestic upgrade project.
Partnering for Success
As domestic upgrade work accelerates, electricians need more than just products — they need a reliable supply partner.
Electricpoint supports electricians with a comprehensive range of retrofit-ready electrical supplies, including EV chargers, battery storage, ventilation, LED lighting, and the essential infrastructure for compliant, future-proof installations.
With trade-focused ranges, fast availability, and free delivery over £75, Electricpoint helps you prepare for the increase in work and deliver projects efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards.