- The changes are part of the green transition with a switch to renewables
Boiling a kettle in the evening energy peak could become more expensive under a new regime for dynamic pricing.
Watchdog Ofgem will consult on a new price cap system which allows different charges depending on the time of day.
Families could be charged more to use the kettle, washing machine and dishwasher during the evening peak to persuade them to switch to other times of the day.
The system would also push those with electric cars to charge them at night.
On the flip side, households could be rewarded with lower tariffs for switching their usage to small hours.
Doing the laundry through the night could become standard practice, although this flies in the face of safety advice linked to appliance fires.
Families could be charged more to use the kettle, washing machine and dishwasher during the evening peak to persuade them to switch to other times of the day.
Ofgem said the existing price cap, along with a temporary ban on energy firms offering cheap deals to attract new customers, had helped to protect the public
The changes are part of the green transition in energy use, with a switch away from gas-fired power stations to renewables.
The system would include alerts to tell people they can turn on household appliances if there is an abundance of cheap wind and solar energy. Ofgem said this would reward consumers for shifting their energy consumption time, which would reduce costs for everyone.
Smart meters will be central – they allow energy firms to change how much householders are charged at the touch of a button.
However, their installation programme is massively over budget and behind schedule.
Ofgem said the existing price cap, along with a temporary ban on energy firms offering cheap deals to attract new customers, had helped to protect the public.
Tim Jarvis, of Ofgem, said: ‘The energy market is changing as we move to net zero and we recognise the systems we have may need to change too.’
However, Richard Neudegg, of Uswitch.com, said: ‘We’re yet to see a full return to competition in the market – and the price cap must bear some of the blame.’
