Contract type comparison
Time-of-use electricity (night/day) vs Standard electricity
With time-of-use electricity (two-tariff metering), the transfer price of electricity varies by time of day - night electricity is cheaper than day electricity. With standard electricity, the transfer price is the same round the clock. The right choice depends on whether you can shift a significant portion of your consumption to night-time.
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How does time-of-use electricity work?
With time-of-use electricity, the electricity transfer price is divided into two tariffs: day tariff (typically 7am-10pm) and night tariff (10pm-7am). The night tariff transfer price is clearly cheaper - typically 1-3 cents/kWh less. On weekends and public holidays, the night tariff is often used round the clock. Time-of-use electricity requires a two-tariff meter that records consumption separately for day and night.
Who is time-of-use electricity worth it for?
Time-of-use electricity is worth it when a significant portion of consumption can be shifted to night-time. Typical beneficiaries are detached-house residents with storage-type electric heating, a hot water boiler or home charging of an electric car. As a rule of thumb, time-of-use electricity is worth it if more than 40% of consumption falls in the night-time. For apartment residents, time-of-use electricity is usually not beneficial because consumption is concentrated during the day.
Spot price vs time-of-use - what's the difference?
Spot-price electricity offers an hourly varying energy price that can be significantly cheaper than time-of-use electricity at the cheapest hours. Spot pricing and time-of-use are not mutually exclusive: you can combine a spot-price contract with two-tariff transfer. This way you get both the cheapest energy price (spot price) and the cheaper transfer price at night (time-of-use). For many heavy users, this combination is the cheapest.
Recommendation
Time-of-use electricity is worth it for heavy users who can shift consumption to night-time. Standard electricity is enough for small consumers and apartment residents. The best solution is often a spot-price contract combined with two-tariff electricity transfer - you get hourly price control and cheaper night-time transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Is time-of-use electricity worth it in 2026?
Time-of-use electricity is still worth it if you have storage-type electric heating, a hot water boiler or home charging of an electric car. However, spot-price electricity offers more precise price control, so consider combining spot pricing with two-tariff transfer to maximise savings.
How do I switch from standard to time-of-use electricity?
Contact your local grid operator and request two-tariff metering. The meter change is usually free, but the basic fee for transfer may be slightly higher. The grid operator will assess whether two-tariff is worthwhile for your consumption profile.
How much can you save with time-of-use electricity?
The saving depends on how consumption is distributed between night and day. Typically, time-of-use electricity saves 100-400 euros per year compared with standard electricity if consumption exceeds 10,000 kWh and more than 40% falls at night.
Is time-of-use electricity being phased out?
Time-of-use electricity (two-tariff metering) is still available and useful. The spread of spot-price electricity has reduced the importance of time-of-use electricity, because spot pricing offers more precise hourly pricing. Many consumers are switching to spot pricing, but it is still worth keeping two-tariff transfer as part of the combination.