Smart meter tariffs can cut annual bills by up to £147
If you are on a standard variable tariff with British Gas, switching to a smart tariff that charges less for electricity used overnight could reduce your annual dual-fuel bill. The average saving from British Gas’s time-of-use smart tariffs in 2026 is estimated at £147 per year for a typical dual-fuel household.
British Gas smart tariffs can save you up to £147 per year compared to the standard variable tariff. You need a working smart meter in smart mode to access time-of-use rates like PeakSave Winter or the EV tariff.
- Switch to a smart tariff and save up to £147 yearly vs standard variable.
- PeakSave Winter offers 12.5p/kWh off-peak from 10pm to 6am.
- PeakSave Summer runs March–October with 13.2p/kWh off-peak from 11pm.
- EV tariff charges 9.8p/kWh between midnight and 5am for owners.
- You need a working smart meter in smart mode to access these rates.
- Smart meter tariffs can cut annual bills by up to £147
- British Gas offers three smart-meter-dependent tariffs in 2026
- Quick numbers — smart tariff savings compared to standard variable tariff
- You must have a working smart meter in smart mode to qualify
- Direct answer — British Gas smart tariffs work by charging less for electricity used overnight
- Eligibility is limited to British Gas electricity customers with smart meters
- How to verify your installer and meter — MCS and DCC registration
This figure is based on Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCV) for a medium-usage home consuming 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year (Ofgem, 2026). The actual saving depends on your usage pattern — you need to shift at least 40% of your electricity use to off-peak hours to achieve the full £147 reduction.
British Gas offers three smart-meter-dependent tariffs in 2026
British Gas has three tariffs that require a working smart meter in smart mode to access time-of-use rates. These are not available to households without a smart meter that is sending automatic readings.
- PeakSave Winter — lower electricity rates between 10pm and 6am, with a higher daytime rate. This runs from November to February.
- PeakSave Summer — similar structure but with different off-peak hours (11pm–7am) to match seasonal demand. This runs from March to October.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) tariff — specific off-peak window (midnight–5am) for charging, with a standard daytime rate. You must provide evidence of EV ownership.
All three require a working smart meter in smart mode — not dumb mode — to access the time-of-use rates (British Gas tariff page, 2026). If your meter stops communicating, you will be moved to the standard variable tariff until it is fixed.
Quick numbers — smart tariff savings compared to standard variable tariff
| Tariff name | Off-peak rate (p/kWh) | Peak rate (p/kWh) | Annual saving vs SVT | Eligibility requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PeakSave Winter | 12.5p (10pm–6am) | 28.9p | Up to £147 | Smart meter in smart mode |
| PeakSave Summer | 13.2p (11pm–7am) | 28.9p | Up to £112 | Smart meter in smart mode |
| EV tariff | 9.8p (midnight–5am) | 28.9p | Up to £230 (EV owners) | Smart meter + EV ownership evidence |
| Standard Variable Tariff | 27.1p (all hours) | 27.1p (all hours) | £0 | None |
Source: British Gas tariff page (2026), Ofgem price cap data Q1 2026 (Ofgem, 2026).
You must have a working smart meter in smart mode to qualify
British Gas requires the smart meter to be operating in “smart mode” — sending automatic readings — for the tariff to apply. If your meter is in “dumb mode” (not communicating), you will be moved to the standard variable tariff until it is fixed.
You can check your meter’s status via the British Gas app or customer portal under “My Smart Meter” (British Gas smart meter FAQ, 2026). To get a smart meter installed, book via British Gas’s website — installation is free and typically takes 2 hours (Ofgem smart meter rollout guidance, 2026).
Direct answer — British Gas smart tariffs work by charging less for electricity used overnight
The core mechanism is simple: you pay a lower rate for electricity used during off-peak hours (typically 10pm–6am) and a higher rate during peak hours (6am–10pm). Smart meters enable this by recording when you use electricity, not just how much.
You shift energy-intensive activities — washing machine, dishwasher, EV charging — to off-peak hours to maximise savings. The tariffs are only available to households with a British Gas smart meter in smart mode — no manual meter reads are accepted (British Gas tariff terms, 2026). How to shift your energy use to off-peak hours
Eligibility is limited to British Gas electricity customers with smart meters
You must be a British Gas electricity customer — gas-only accounts cannot access these tariffs. Your smart meter must be an SMETS2 model (second-generation) or newer for full compatibility with time-of-use tariffs (Energy Saving Trust smart meter guide, 2026).
SMETS1 meters (first-generation) may work if they have been remotely upgraded to the Data Communications Company (DCC) network — check via the British Gas app. If you have a prepayment smart meter, the tariffs are not available — you must switch to credit mode (British Gas eligibility criteria, 2026).
How to verify your installer and meter — MCS and DCC registration
Smart meter installation in 2026 must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer — check the MCS register at mcscertified.com (MCS installer register, 2026). After installation, the meter should be registered with the DCC within 2 weeks — you can verify this by calling British Gas or checking the DCC’s online checker.
British Gas installers are also registered with TrustMark for consumer protection — check trustmark.org.uk for the installer’s licence number (TrustMark website, 2026). If the meter fails to connect to the DCC within 30 days, you have the right to request a free replacement under the Smart Meter Installation Code of Practice (GOV.UK, 2026). What to do if your smart meter stops working
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to £147 per year on a typical dual-fuel bill if you shift at least 40% of electricity use to off-peak hours, according to Ofgem's 2026 TDCV figures.
Three: PeakSave Winter (November–February), PeakSave Summer (March–October), and an EV tariff for electric vehicle owners. All require a working smart meter in smart mode per British Gas's tariff page.
Yes, you must have a smart meter in smart mode sending automatic readings. If it stops communicating, you will revert to the standard variable tariff until fixed, as confirmed by British Gas.
10pm to 6am, with a rate of 12.5p/kWh. Peak hours are 28.9p/kWh. This runs from November to February, based on British Gas's 2026 tariff details.
It offers a low off-peak rate of 9.8p/kWh from midnight to 5am for EV charging, with standard daytime rates. You must provide proof of EV ownership to qualify.
