How free nights and weekends electricity plans work
Free nights and weekends electricity plans offer free electricity during set times. For example, this type of plan may offer free or cheaper energy between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night, or between Friday night and Sunday morning. Providers that offer free usage periods lay out the parameters in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL). While this plan may sound enticing, it’s worth considering all angles before signing up.
Should I sign up for a free nights and weekends plan?
Free nights or weekend electric plans may work for people with unique schedules or energy habits that match the discounted window. However, these plans may not be the right option for the average energy consumer who uses power around usual school and business hours. Plans with free usage periods typically have a much higher electricity rate during peak hours than standard fixed-rate plans. If you use power during typical hours, such as mornings and afternoons, getting the most value out of this type of plan can be challenging.
Choose Energy’s free nights and weekends electricity plans
If you think a free night and weekend energy plan is right for your household, Choose Energy is here to help. We partner with TXU Energy to offer the Live Your Free plan, available for a 12- or 24–month contract length. Under this plan, you’ll receive free energy during one of the following three categories, depending on which times you use the most energy:
- Free days: 10 a.m. to 4:59 p.m.
- Free nights: 9 p.m. to 4:59 a.m.
- Free weekends: 7 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday
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If you are unsure whether this type of plan is a good fit for you, call our energy agents at the number on your screen, and they’ll be happy to help.
Who are free nights and weekends plans best for?
These plans are best for someone whose energy usage patterns already align with the free periods. However, if you need to change your schedule or habits to make the most of this option, it’s likely not a great fit for you. If you answer yes to some or all of the following questions, this plan could fit your lifestyle:
- Do you tend to use most of your energy at night?
- Are you out of the house for the majority of the day?
- Do you travel often and use electricity infrequently?
- Are you able to monitor your daily electricity usage?
If you answered no to two or more of these questions, then a free nights and weekends plan probably isn’t a great match for you. Enter your ZIP code on our marketplace to shop countless affordable fixed-rate plans instead.
Free nights and weekends electricity FAQs
What are TXU Energy’s free hours?
TXU Energy typically offers free electricity from 9 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. However, it’s important to check the EFL to confirm the free hours for your plan as these could vary by plan and provider.
What are the cons to free nights and weekends plans?
Electricity plans that offer free usage periods tend to have higher electricity rates than standard plans. This can be disadvantageous because, despite having a free usage period, you might end up with a high bill if you use too much energy outside of the free period.
Can I save money with a free nights and weekends plan?
It’s possible to save money with this type of plan if most of your energy consumption happens during the free period. However, many consumers find these plans to be more expensive because it’s challenging to limit energy usage during traditional hours like mornings and afternoons.
How do I save the most money with a free nights and weekends plan?
The best way to maximize savings on a plan like this is to limit most of your energy usage to the free periods outlined in the EFL. Run large appliances like the dishwasher and laundry machines overnight or over the weekend. You can also program your thermostat to reduce your AC and heat usage during peak hours.