Not everybody has the same schedule, so why should they have the same electricity plan? In deregulated areas across the country, retail electricity providers (REPs) offer plans that fit different energy needs and lifestyles. Free nights electricity plans can be a great money-saving solution for night owls or anyone who’s away from home during weekdays. Use the Power Wizard comparison tool to explore these plans below.
Free nights electricity plans, also known as time-of-use (TOU) electricity plans, allow you to use electricity at no cost during specific nighttime hours—usually from 8 or 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. These plans are offered by some REPs as a way to shift usage away from peak daytime demand.
They can be a great fit for night owls, remote workers on late shifts, or households that run major appliances like dishwashers, laundry machines, or EV chargers overnight. But keep in mind: daytime electricity rates on these plans are usually higher to offset the free nighttime usage. If you don’t use most of your power at night, you could end up paying more overall.
Free nights plans use time-of-use pricing structure, which means electricity rates change based on when you use power. During specified nighttime hours, the energy charge may be waived, while daytime rates are often higher. REPs normally use smart meters to track exactly when you use electricity so they can bill you accurately.
However, it’s important to note that Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) fees apply to all electricity usage. This means that even if you shift your usage to the free nighttime hours, you will still have to pay for the electricity to be delivered to your home.
TDU fees are regulated and set by your utility provider, not your REP. They are updated a few times per year, but will remain the same across REPs.
Free nights electricity plans can have real perks if they match your lifestyle, such as:
While free nights electricity plans can be a great way to save money, they’re not a good fit for every household. Before enrolling, you should consider:
If you’re canceling your free nights electricity plan (or any electricity plan) due to moving, your REP will waive your ETF. Just make sure to read your plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for details on how to avoid cancellation fees.
Wondering whether a free nights electricity plan is the right choice for your home? They can be a great fit for:
However, free nights plans often cost more for people who stay home during the day because daytime rates per kilowatt-hour (kWh) are higher. They also tend not to be a great fit for people who are away from home during free periods.
Getting the most out of a free nights electricity plan may require you to shift your energy habits. These tips can help you lock in lower bills without turning your life upside down:
If you have solar panels but don’t generate enough electricity to send back to the grid and to get a solar buyback plan, you may want to consider enrolling in a free nights electricity plan. Use your solar power during the day and lean on the free grid energy at night to stretch your savings.
With so many electricity plans out there, it can be hard to tell which one is actually the best for your home. That’s where Power Wizard comes in. We show you all your options side by side, so you can compare free nights plans and make the smartest choice. Here’s how:
Free nights electricity plans work best for households that can shift a large portion of their energy use, like running appliances or charging EVs, to nighttime hours. If you’re usually home during the day, you likely won’t benefit from a free nights plan. You can also benefit from this plan if you have solar panels installed that don’t generate excess electricity that can be used in a solar buy back plan.
It depends on your habits. If you consistently use power during the free hours and limit daytime usage, you could see real savings. However, if your schedule doesn’t allow for much flexibility, the higher daytime rates may offset the benefits.
You’ll likely pay more. These plans typically have higher daytime rates, so if you’re using most of your energy during those times, your bill could be higher than with a standard fixed-rate plan.
Even though energy costs are $0 during free hours, you’re still responsible for delivery fees, base charges, and other utility costs. Review each plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before enrolling to understand the pricing details.
