Key Takeaways
- If most of your energy use is at night or on weekends, free nights/weekend plans may save you money, otherwise, a fixed-rate plan is usually safer.
- Free plans often come with much higher daytime rates that can erase savings if you use power during peak hours.
- Pay attention to contract length, early termination fees, and whether delivery charges still apply during “free” hours.
Shopping for an electricity provider can feel overwhelming with so many plan types available. One option that often catches people’s eye is a free nights or free weekends plan. These can be a great fit for some households, but a costly mismatch for others. Let’s break it down so you can decide if this type of plan makes sense for you.
What Are Free Nights and Weekend Plans?
Free nights and weekend plans are special electricity plans that let you use electricity for little to no cost during off-peak hours, usually evenings, overnight, or weekends. The idea is that your provider encourages you to shift more of your usage into times when overall demand on the grid is lower.
Instead of paying the standard rate all day, you’ll pay:
- $0 per kWh (or heavily discounted) during the “free” window.
- A higher-than-average rate during peak times (usually daytime hours).
How Do They Work?
Each provider sets its own schedule for when “free” usage applies. Common examples include:
- Free Nights: From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
- Free Weekends: From Friday evening through Sunday night.
You’ll be billed at the plan’s higher daytime rate for electricity used outside of those windows. Providers design these plans so the average customer still pays a competitive monthly bill if they shift usage, things like laundry, running the dishwasher, or charging an EV, into the free time periods.
Comparison to Other Plan Types
To see if this works for you, it helps to compare:
- Traditional Fixed-Rate Plans: You pay one consistent price per kWh, no matter the time of day. Great for stability and budgeting.
- Variable-Rate Plans: Your rate changes month to month based on market conditions. Risky, but sometimes cheaper if rates drop.
- Free Nights/Weekends Plans: Lower or free electricity during certain hours, higher during others. Works well if you can actively manage when you use power.
Think of it like a cell phone plan: fixed-rate is unlimited minutes anytime, variable-rate is pay-as-you-go, and free nights/weekends is like those older plans where calls after 9 p.m. were free.
Learn more about Fixed Rate vs. Variable Rate Plans
Tips for Choosing a Plan
- Check Your Lifestyle: Do you run most appliances in the evening? Are you home all weekend? If yes, this plan might save you money.
- Look Closely at the Daytime Rate: Don’t just focus on “free”, the higher daytime rates can quickly add up.
- Read the Fine Print: Understand when free hours start and end, and whether delivery charges still apply during free times (often they do).
- Test With Your Smart Meter Data: If your utility lets you download your usage by hour, compare how much of your electricity is used during free hours.
Who Are Free Nights or Free Weekend Plans Good For?
Free nights and weekend plans tend to work best for:
- Night owls who are up late and can shift appliance use.
- Work-from-office families who aren’t home much during the day.
- EV owners who can schedule overnight charging.
- Energy-savvy households that don’t mind adjusting routines to save.
They’re usually not a good fit for retirees, families with small kids at home all day, or anyone who uses most of their energy between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Pros and Cons of Free Nights or Weekend Plans
Pros:
- Can save significant money if you shift usage.
- Encourages energy efficiency and load balancing.
- Great for EV charging or running energy-intensive appliances at night.
Cons:
- Higher daytime rates can outweigh free hours if you’re not careful.
- Not great for people home during the day.
- May still have delivery charges during “free” hours.
- Requires planning and lifestyle flexibility.
Final Analysis and Advice
Free nights and weekend plans can be an excellent option, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. If your household naturally uses more electricity at night or on weekends, you could see big savings. If most of your energy use is during daytime hours, though, you might end up paying more than you would on a simple fixed-rate plan.
Bottom line:
- If you’re a night owl, EV owner, or weekend homebody, explore free nights/weekends.
- If you’re at home with kids or work from home during the day, a fixed-rate plan is likely safer.
- Always compare the total cost, not just the marketing promise of “free.”
FAQs About Free Night or Weekend Plans
Do I really get unlimited free electricity?
When do the free hours start and end?
Who benefits most from these plans?
What’s the catch with these plans?
Do these plans work well with smart home technology?
What should I watch for before signing up?
Can I switch back if the plan doesn’t work for me?
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.