EDF Energy’s FreePhase is a time of use electricity tariff that competes with other smart meter tariffs by shifting what you pay based on when you use power. On 19 September, FreePhase customers get a free electricity window from 4am to 4pm, which is best treated as a prompt to move flexible usage into the daytime rather than a blanket “free day” for everything.
What should you run during the free electricity window?
If you are on FreePhase, it can suit households that can schedule demand, think washing machine cycles, tumble drying, dishwashers, batch cooking, or charging devices and power tools. The key is planning around the hours: set timers, avoid starting loads too late, and keep an eye on anything that might spill past 4pm. It is also a useful time to pre heat your home water if you have an immersion heater, but only if your setup allows safe timed control.
- Appliances on timers: run full loads in the free window
- EV or e bike charging: top up before 4pm if your charger supports scheduling
- High use cooking: batch cook and reheat later