Working from home changes when you use electricity — and that shifts whether export tariffs or self-consumption matter more.
The WFH load profile
Home workers often run laptops, monitors, heating in occupied rooms, and kettles through daylight hours. Solar self-consumption rises compared with empty homes that export midday surplus. Your payback model should use post-WFH usage, not pre-pandemic bills.
When SEG matters less
If you consume 60–70% of generation on-site, export rate tweaks move the needle modestly. Focus on retail tariff structure — standing charge, peak rates, and whether agile pricing rewards flexibility.
Hybrid work weeks
Two days in the office still leave three home days — average weekly self-consumption sits between full WFH and full office. Smart plugs and scheduled appliances help on office days.
| Work pattern | Typical self-consumption |
|---|---|
| Office five days | 25–35% |
| Hybrid three home days | 40–55% |
| Full-time home | 55–70% |
Business use and tax
Claiming home office costs does not usually change how SEG treats export, but business electricity claims should reflect actual metered use — keep inverter logs if HMRC queries arise.
Export tariffs reward surplus — WFH often means you have less surplus to sell.
Pairing import and SEG
Split suppliers for import and SEG remain valid. Bundled products trade simplicity for flexibility — run numbers both ways using your actual half-hourly pattern if available.
Figures are illustrative ranges — meter your own first year for accurate planning.
