Our smart tariff is a 2 rate tariff for Bulb members with compatible smart meters. It's in 'beta', which means we're still testing it.
To join the smart tariff, you need a second generation (SMETS2) smart meter for electricity that can send us a reading every half hour. We're only signing up a small number of members during this testing phase.
Apply to join the smart tariff
How it works
With our smart tariff, there are 2 different rates for electricity:
- Peak - the most expensive
- Off-peak - cheaper
These rates reflect the changing demand for electricity during the day. Demand is higher in the late afternoon and early evening than overnight. So on the smart tariff, it costs less to use electricity outside of peak hours. On our standard tariff, it costs the same no matter when you use it.
The prices for each rate vary by region.
The timings are based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT):
| Rate | Hours |
|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 7pm weekdays |
| Off-peak |
12am to 4pm, 7pm to 11.59pm All weekend |
During British Summer Time (BST), which is the last Sunday in March, to the last Sunday in October, the hours change to:
| Rate | Hours |
|---|---|
| Peak | 5pm to 8pm weekdays |
| Off-peak |
12am to 5pm, 8pm to 11.59pm All weekend |
The smart tariff could save you money
Some things we do at home use a lot of electricity, like running the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher. If you start using these appliances outside of peak hours, the smart tariff could save you money.
And if you have an electric car, you'll make savings by avoiding peak times when you charge it.
Not all smart meters are compatible
You can apply to join the smart tariff beta if you have a second generation smart meter (SMETS2).
Up until 2018, most smart meters installed in homes were first generation, or SMETS1. If you have a smart meter installed by Bulb, it will be second generation, or SMETS2.
Smart tariff prices
The rates you'll pay for peak and off-peak usage vary by region.
All prices include VAT at the applicable rate and are rounded to 2 decimal places. On your statements, VAT will be shown separately.
| Region | Peak rate (pence per kWh) | Off-peak rate (pence per kWh) |
Standing charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| East England | 25.25 | 12.75 | 20.56 |
| East Midlands | 24.99 | 12.49 | 19.00 |
| London | 25.11 | 12.61 | 19.80 |
| North Wales, Mersey and Cheshire | 26.29 | 13.79 | 18.74 |
| West Midlands | 25.29 | 12.79 | 20.41 |
| North East England | 25.20 | 12.70 | 22.53 |
| North West England | 25.20 | 12.70 | 19.59 |
| North Scotland | 26.05 | 13.55 | 22.50 |
| South Scotland | 25.15 | 12.65 | 20.56 |
| South East England | 25.81 | 13.31 | 20.01 |
| Southern England | 25.18 | 12.68 | 20.64 |
| South Wales | 26.07 | 13.57 | 19.16 |
| South West England | 26.35 | 13.85 | 20.09 |
| Yorkshire | 24.68 | 12.18 | 22.6 |
You can cancel your smart tariff switch or go back to your previous tariff
If you decide the smart tariff isn’t for you, you’ve got a 14 day cooling off period to cancel your switch. This starts from the day you sign up. To cancel your switch to the smart tariff, email help@bulb.co.uk.
We’ll send you an email when your smart tariff switch is complete.
At this point, you won’t be able to switch tariff again for 35 days - this is because we’ll be doing some work behind the scenes to finish setting up your account.
When we’ve finished setting up your account, you can leave the smart tariff at any point. To leave the smart tariff, go to the tariff page in your Bulb account where you’ll see an option to ‘Change tariff’.