Smart Energy Fixes Most Homes Miss

4.4kW solar system, no battery, electric-only home on an overnight tariff.

Most energy was generated during the day but barely used — meaning much of the benefit was lost.

Set the immersion to a timer and shift storage heater charging into peak daylight hours — so your solar actually does the work, not just overnight rates.

More solar energy used, less waste, improved efficiency.

Large solar array, battery storage, still heavy gas usage.

Generated electricity wasn't being fully used, especially during the day.

Use electric heating during solar production hours and heat water when generation is highest.

Reduced gas usage and better use of generated energy.

Customer on a time-of-use tariff with rates varying throughout the day. Electric oven, EV, and standard household appliances.

During peak hours they were paying as much as 80p per kWh — and that's exactly when they were cooking, watching TV, and using the computer simultaneously. Their EV benefited from cheaper overnight charging, but even their off-peak rate was around 7p per kWh higher than UW's overnight rate at the time. UW's peak rate was also around 32p per kWh lower. The tariff wasn't well suited to how they actually lived.

Shift high-draw appliance use — particularly the oven — outside peak hours. Review whether a time-of-use tariff genuinely suits the household's lifestyle, or whether a simpler, more competitive flat-rate tariff would deliver better overall value.

A clear example of both inefficient energy usage and a poorly matched tariff. This visit, around 18 months before becoming a UW Partner, was one of the cases that helped shape the direction of Energy Guardian.