With the current energy price cap sitting at around 24.67p/kWh (from 1 April through 30 June 2026), UK households are searching for practical ways to reduce heating costs without sacrificing their comfort.
For years, Economy 7 tariffs and older storage heater models were seen as the standard solution for homes needing electric power. While many UK households frequently ask “is electricity cheaper than gas”, the real key to affordability in 2026 is how flexibly you can manage your consumption. With cheaper electricity rates available after dark, running overnight storage heaters would be prioritised to make the most of the reduced rates, slowly releasing the heat throughout the following day.
But for many households powering their home on an older heating system, many are facing the same frustrating problem. By the evening, the stored heat has often disappeared, leaving rooms at a cold temperature just when people need warmth the most. To stay comfortable, households are having to rely on additional heating methods like portable heaters or ‘topping the heating up’, albeit at a higher day-rate.
Modern smart tariffs offer more flexible off-peak pricing
Since the energy price cap was introduced in 2019, the energy market has evolved. Modern smart tariffs now offer more flexible off-peak pricing throughout the day. Homes can take advantage of the new, efficient design of electric radiators and wireless heating controls, enabling households to use electricity and heat rooms only when they’re actually being used.
With modern heating systems providing homeowners with greater control over their energy consumption, this shift is changing the way homeowners think about electric heating. In this blog, we uncover why Economy 7 heating is no longer the way forward and how your home will benefit from smarter, room-by-room heating controls.
How Economy 7 works and why it’s no longer suitable for modern homes
Economy 7 tariffs work when older, electric storage heaters are installed. The tariff means households should receive around seven hours of electricity on a cheaper overnight rate, usually between late evening and early morning. In return, any electricity used during daytime hours is charged at a higher rate.
In principle, the tariff works well for homes who are in a position to shift the majority of their energy usage to overnight use. But as lifestyles and budgets have evolved, the Economy 7 tariff hardly compensates for modern homes in need of heat throughout the day, completely mitigating the sole purpose of what the tariff was originally designed for.
The problem with old electric storage heaters
Traditional old electric storage heaters generate heat overnight and slowly release it throughout the day — this works well if the household is home and heat is being used. However, if you’re out of the house during the daytime, the warm energy generated will continue to be released, regardless of whether rooms are being used or not. The ‘use it or lose it’ nature of older electric storage heaters is why many homeowners have become frustrated with traditional heating set ups.
For example, if temperatures suddenly drop or a cold evening hits unexpectedly, households then require more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. You could run out of stored heat, and therefore homeowners have little choice but to turn the heating on and for longer, using expensive daytime electricity tariffs to make their home more comfortable. Inconsistent heating, on top of poorly insulated rooms will cause household bills to rise, as the heating system has to work harder and for longer simply to maintain a comfortable temperature.
The rise of smart tariffs and flexible energy use
The biggest change for modern UK homes is having complete control over your energy usage. Flexibility is key.
Known as ‘time-of-use’ tariffs, these smart tariff plans benefit households that can shift their energy usage into lower-cost periods. Instead of having to rely on one fixed overnight tariff to get the most cost-effective price, smart tariffs offer electricity prices that vary throughout the day based on demand across the grid.
Smart tariffs can provide homeowners with:
- Cheaper daytime electricity during periods of low on-grid demand
- Variable off-peak pricing windows
- Lower rates during renewable energy surpluses
- App-based usage tracking and monitoring
- Smart meter integration for controlled energy management
Unlike traditional Economy 7 tariffs, smart tariffs are designed for homes that can respond dynamically rather than the best rate only being available overnight, which is far less flexible for varied, modern lifestyles.
The benefits of smart tariffs with modern electric heating
Smart tariffs work beautifully with modern electric heating systems, enabling households to get the most out of their off-peak electric heating exactly when warmth is required. With smart heating controls like electric wireless thermostats, compared to traditional storage heaters, homeowners can:
- Heat rooms individually
- Reduce unnecessary heating in unused areas
- Adapt quickly to changing weather and cold snaps
- Take advantage of multiple off-peak periods throughout the day
- Manage their energy usage and therefore have greater control over their energy bills
For homes wanting to keep a close eye on their utility bills, predictability matters just as much as price.
Why room-by-room modern heating control is more efficient
Room-by-room heating control can help UK homes avoid one of the biggest causes of wasted energy — heating unused spaces. And that’s where modern electric radiators come in.
Instead of relying on slow release heat from traditional storage heaters, Fischer electric radiators are designed to provide heat efficiently, when it’s actually needed throughout the day.
Built with 40mm HeatCore, Fischer electric radiators are specially engineered to retain and distribute warmth efficiently, using a mix of convection and radiant heat. The convection chamber draws cold air from the floor which then radiates the heat evenly throughout your room. This level of efficient heating means rooms can quickly be heated up, responding faster to temperature changes while reducing unnecessary energy waste.
With each radiator installed with a wireless thermostat, homes gain smart room-by-room temperature control, keeping rooms warm when they’re in use — or warmed up before you’ve even got home.
Here’s how room-by-room heating control can benefit your home:
- For example, you can heat just the living room during the evening
- Keep bedrooms warm at lower, consistent temperatures
- Create different heating schedules for each room
- Reduce energy usage in rarely used spaces
- Create personalised heating schedules around your household’s lifestyle
With greater control over how you heat your home (and therefore, more manageable energy bills), room-by-room control on a smart tariff is just one of the many reasons why homeowners are moving away from traditional electric storage heaters in favour of electric heating systems.
Update your old heating system for more reliable energy
If you are considering replacing storage heaters, take the guesswork out of your energy bills and home heating system. Discover how Fischer’s modern electric radiators can put you back in control of your energy bills. Request a free catalogue today to find out more.