A major energy supplier offers money on energy bills to customers who want to make small changes in their energy consumption.
Some bill payers with certain energy suppliers are rewarded for reducing their electricity consumption during peak hours.
British Gas’ Peak Save scheme pays customers for using electricity outside of peak times – or when there is more renewable electricity available on the grid.
British Gas says it has so far paid out £11 million to more than 600,000 customers taking part in the scheme.
Eligible customers can sign up for the scheme on British Gas‘ website, by entering their full name, email address and customer reference number.
Crucially, you can only register for the scheme if you have a smart meter that can transmit half-hourly meter readings.
The energy company said in a statement that customers have saved approximately 326 tonnes of CO2 emissions and moved 11,799 MWh of electricity through PeakSave Sundays alone.
Meanwhile, British Gas has launched another ‘no-brainer’ initiative to save on energy bills, offering half-price electricity to millions of customers.
The program offers eligible customers half-price electricity every Sunday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
British Gas first launched the scheme in December 2022 but has extended it several times.
The energy company said more than 500,000 customers had already signed up to the scheme, saving a total of £7 million.
You can also sign up for this scheme on the British Gas website by entering your full name, email address and customer reference number.
You will then be contacted if your registration is successful and the money saved will be refunded each week after participation.
British Gas is not the only supplier to offer discounts on energy use outside peak hours.
Ovo Energy has a similar scheme where customers are rewarded for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.
The energy supplier will pay eligible customers £10 per month if they reduce their energy consumption during these hours.
The Power Move scheme offers customers up to £10 per month if they reduce their consumption between 6pm and 9pm, Monday to Friday, for example by using the dishwasher in the morning or waiting until after 9pm for TV to watch.
And perhaps you can get free home insulation through the Energy Company Obligation or have other energy-saving measures installed in your home.
The scheme is designed to help low-income households with certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit and Housing Benefit.
The Government previously told The Sun that households eligible for the scheme could save around £600 to £700 on their bills each year after energy saving measures are in place.
Meanwhile, another one winter The energy system, which provides cashback on bills during peak hours, now runs all year round.
The Electricity Systems Operator (ESO) has confirmed that its popular Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) program will now be available all year round.
Introduced in 2022, DFS has so far been a winter energy program that pays bill payers cashback for reducing their electricity consumption during peak usage hours.
While the program was only available during the last few months, it now runs year-round – meaning bill payers can expect to line their wallets with some extra cashback.
ESO has proposed to redesign the system’s operations to support the stress on the national electricity grid, not only in winter but all year round.
What energy bill help is available?
There are a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to make ends meet.
If you get into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before imposing a prepayment meter.
This means that you pay off what you owe in installments over a certain period.
If your supplier offers you a payment plan that you don’t think you can afford, contact them again to see if you can get a better deal.
Several energy companies have subsidy schemes available for customers who have difficulty paying their bills.
But the eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills can receive grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas is also providing assistance through its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t have to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power are all also offering grants to struggling customers.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protection by not registering with the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as the elderly or ill, and some of the benefits include advance warning of power cuts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Contact your energy company to see if you can submit an application.
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