Crime & Safety
Millions of homes face major smart meter energy billing change
The shift is part of a major overhaul of the UK energy network designed to better manage electricity demand as more homes move towards smart meters, electric cars and renewable energy.
But experts warn many households still have no idea what the change actually means for their future bills.
The big change happening to UK electricity bills
Energy suppliers are gradually moving customers onto something called “half-hourly settlement”.
Instead of estimating electricity use across the day, smart meters record exactly how much electricity households use every 30 minutes.
Experts say the change could pave the way for far more flexible pricing – where electricity costs vary depending on the time of day energy is used.
And with the industry aiming for around 80% of meters to move onto the system by October, millions more households are expected to be affected soon.
Why your electricity could cost more at certain times
According to Utility Bidder, the biggest impact for consumers may be the growth of “time-of-use” tariffs. That means electricity could become cheaper during quieter periods – but more expensive during peak demand hours.
Experts say households able to run appliances outside busy evening periods may benefit most. But homes using lots of electricity during peak times could eventually face higher bills on some tariffs.
Madeleine Porter explained: “Consumers may increasingly see energy prices vary depending on the time of day they use electricity.”
The hours when electricity could cost more than double
One of the clearest examples is E.ON Next’s Smart Saver tariff, where households pay:
- 17.71p/kWh during off-peak hours (5am–4pm and 7pm–2am)
- Just 14.33p/kWh during “super off-peak” hours (2am–5am)
- But a huge 39.20p/kWh during peak hours between 4pm and 7pm
For comparison, the current standard electricity rate is around 24.67p/kWh.
That means running appliances during peak evening hours could cost more than double the cheapest overnight rate.
But households willing to shift how and when they use electricity could cut costs dramatically.
British Gas has also launched new “PeakSave” tariffs designed to tempt households into moving energy use away from peak demand hours.
Its new PeakSave Super Saturday tariff gives customers half-price electricity every Saturday between 9am and 5pm on a 13-month fixed tariff.
The supplier also runs its wider PeakSave scheme, where customers with smart meters on any British Gas tariff – including variable deals – can sign up for half-price electricity every Sunday between 11am and 4pm.
The appliances experts say could cost more during peak hours
Energy-intensive activities likely to become more important under future pricing systems include:
- EV charging
- Washing machines
- Tumble dryers
- Dishwashers
- Electric heating
- Cooking appliances
Experts say running these outside peak demand windows could eventually help reduce costs.
Why the UK is changing the system
The move is designed to help create a “smarter” electricity grid capable of handling growing renewable energy supplies.
Because renewable generation changes throughout the day depending on weather conditions, energy companies want more accurate real-time data on when electricity is actually being used.
Utility Bidder says the system could help:
- Reduce pressure on the grid
- Improve renewable energy use
- Encourage smarter energy habits
- Improve forecasting
- Build a more flexible energy network
The households most likely to benefit
Experts say people with flexible schedules may find it easier to shift energy use into cheaper periods.
That could especially benefit:
- Remote workers
- EV owners
- Smart home users
- Households already using off-peak tariffs
But some families may struggle to avoid peak usage times, particularly during evenings.
Recommended reading:
The 4 things experts say you should do now
Energy specialists say households should start preparing for more dynamic pricing in the future.
Their advice includes:
1. Check your smart meter status
See whether your home already sends half-hourly usage data.
2. Review your tariff
Some suppliers already offer cheaper off-peak electricity deals, but check the small print.
3. Monitor when you use electricity
Smart meter apps can reveal expensive usage patterns.
4. Shift heavy electricity use where possible
Running appliances later in the evening or overnight could eventually become much cheaper.
Why energy bills could soon feel very different
The shift towards half-hourly settlement marks one of the biggest changes to UK electricity billing in years.
While supporters say it could help lower costs and modernise the grid, critics warn some households may find pricing structures more confusing – especially if peak-hour electricity becomes significantly more expensive.
For millions of homes, experts say the way electricity is charged may soon depend not just on how much energy you use – but exactly when you use it.
The UK has recorded its hottest ever May temperature with provisional temperatures reaching 35°C in London and 33°C in Oxford on Tuesday, May 26.
This comes as temperatures in Oxfordshire hit record heights on Monday, May 25, with 33.6°C measured in Benson, near Wallingford.
READ MORE: Fire crews race to Morrisons supermarket in Oxfordshire village
Meanwhile a yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Tuesday evening with the possibility of isolated storms hitting large swathes of the country including Oxford.
The Met Office said many areas will stay hot and sunny but there is potential for as much as 30mm of rainfall in the space of an hour in some parts.
The warning is in place between 3pm and 10pm today (Tuesday, May 26).
The heat has caused some disruption in Oxfordshire with reports of freezers and fridges within supermarkets breaking down.
Multiple customers said they left the Aldi in Broadway, Didcot, without any chilled food due to broken cooling systems in the shop.
Several other supermarkets in the county are showing empty shelves, as products are returned to the warehouse to prevent spoiling them while fridges and freezers are out of action.
One such store is the Waitrose in Bell Street, Henley, where cooled shelves have been cleared and a notice put up in the place of products like dairy and meat.
The notice said: “Due to the extreme temperatures and a breakdown of our main refrigeration units we have, unfortunately, had to send our chilled and frozen products back to our warehouse to prevent the stock being destroyed.”
Meanwhile, a section of the Oxfordshire police called on the public to ensure dogs are not left in hot cars after one was found left in a vehicle with the temperature “dangerously high”.
The South Oxon and Vale of White Horse team said: “We are urging the public to never leave dogs in hot cars—even for a short time.
“Recently, PC Hackett attended a report of a dog left in a vehicle.
“Despite the windows being slightly open and a bowl of water inside, the temperature was still dangerously high.
READ MORE: Drugs, weapons and cash seized as man arrested in Oxford police raid
“The dog had to be removed and kept safe in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned, where advice was given.”
The Met Office said that the minimum temperature tonight is likely to be 15°C with Wednesday set to be “mainly dry and sunny again”.
A spokesperson said: “Fresher conditions expected near eastern coasts with stronger onshore breezes. Maximum temperature 29 °C.”
Longer term it is expected to stay warm for the remainder of the week albeit with a slight temperature dip.
Thames Valley Police updated that they arrested a male this morning (Tuesday, May 26) after a major operation in Blackbird Leys.
Multiple teams were involved and it led to drugs, weapons and cash being seized, with the man arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences.
READ MORE: Police warn Oxfordshire drug dealers after Brazil cocaine supplier jailed
A spokesperson for police said: “This morning, officers have carried out a drugs warrant in the Blackbird Leys area of Oxford, led by the local Neighbourhood Team.
“They were supported by colleagues from the Harm Reduction Unit, Oxford Central Neighbourhood Team, and the Proactive Disruption Team as part of a coordinated effort to disrupt criminal activity.
“During the operation, drugs, weapons and a quantity of cash were seized.
“One male has been arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and remains in police custody.”
The force added that this showed that they are committed to tackling illegal drug crime and protecting communities such as those in Blackbird Leys.
READ MORE: Illegal Volkswagen Transporter van seized by police
The spokesperson continued: “We are committed to tackling drug-related crime and protecting our communities from the harm it causes.
“Warrants like this demonstrate our continued focus on those involved in supplying illegal drugs.
“If you have information about drug activity or other crime in your area, please report it to us.”
Motorists were stuck in a traffic jam of more than seven miles at one point on the A34 after three cars collided.
Police were called to assist with the incident at East Ilsley, northbound on the A34 into the Oxfordshire border from Berkshire.
Thames Valley Police said one person suffered minor injuries but declined to give more information.
READ MORE: Train evacuated in Oxfordshire due to heatwave as ‘temperatures reach 45C’
“As this is now resolved we wouldn’t look to provide further details,” a spokeswoman said.
Both lanes northbound into the county were blocked at around 8am on Tuesday, May 23, causing significant tailbacks all the way to Chieveley close to the M4.
Highways England reported drivers were stuck for more than 90 minutes during the rush hour commute, before things started to ease at around 10am.
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