A MAJOR energy provider is handing out money from their energy bills to customers who are willing to make small changes to their energy use.
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 at off-peak times – or when there is more renewable electricity available on the grid.
British Gas said it has so far paid out £11m to more than 600,000 customers taking part in the scheme.
Eligible customers can sign up for the program in the UK Gas”, by entering their full name, email address and customer reference number.
Crucially, you can only register your interest in this scheme if you have a smart meter that can send half-hourly readings.
The energy company said in a statement that customers saved around 326 tonnes of carbon emissions and moved 11,799 MWh of electricity through PeakSave Sundays alone.
Meanwhile, British Gas has rolled out another “no-brainer” initiative to save on energy bills – offering half-price electricity to millions of customers.
The program offers half-price electricity to eligible customers every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
British Gas first launched the scheme in December 2022 but has extended it several times.
The energy firm said over 500,000 customers have already signed up to the scheme, saving a combined £7m.
You can also register for this scheme on the British Gas website by entering your full name, email address and customer reference number.
It will then contact you if your application is successful and credit you with the savings each week.
British Gas isn’t the only supplier offering cash for peak-hour energy use.
Ovo Energy has a similar system that rewards customers for reducing peak energy use.
The energy supplier will pay eligible customers £10 a month if they reduce their energy use during these hours.
Its Power Move scheme offers customers up to £10 a month if they limit usage between 6pm and 9pm, Monday to Friday – for example by using the dishwasher in the morning or waiting until after 9pm in the evening to catch up on TV.
And you may be able to get free home insulation or other energy saving measures installed on your property through the Energy Company Pledge.
The scheme is designed to help low-income households on certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit and Housing Benefit.
The government previously told The Sun that households eligible for the scheme would save around £600 to £700 on their bills each year after the energy saving measures are in place.
In the meantime, another one winter the energy scheme, which provides cashback for peak bills, is now set to run all year round.
The electricity system operator (ESO) has confirmed that the popular Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) program will now be available all year round.
DFS, which was introduced in 2022, has until now been a winter energy scheme that pays bill payers cashback for reducing their electricity consumption during peak usage hours.
While the scheme was only available for the coming months, it’s now set to run all year round – meaning bill payers can expect to fill their wallets with some extra cashback.
ESO proposed to rework the scheme of work to support the national grid voltage not only in winter but all year round.
What help with energy bills is available?
THERE are several different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to make ends meet.
If you fall into debt, you can always contact your supplier to see if they can give you a repayment plan before they put you on the downpayment meter.
This involves paying back what you owe in installments over a set period of time.
If your supplier offers you a payment plan that you don’t think you can afford, talk to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy companies have grant schemes available for customers who are struggling to meet their bills.
However, eligibility criteria vary by supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial situation.
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 also offers help through its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power also offer grants to struggling customers.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on additional help and protection by not registering on the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as the elderly or ill, and some of the benefits include early warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and more support if you’re struggling.
Contact your energy company to see if you can sign up.
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