A MAJOR energy provider is giving money off energy bills to customers willing to make small changes.
Billpayers are being rewarded for reducing their electricity consumption during the peak hours of usage.
The Peak Save scheme by British Gas pays customers for using electritcy during off peak times – or when there is more renewable electricity available on the grid.
British Gas has so far paid a whopping £11million to more than 600,000 customers taking part in the scheme, reports Birmingham Live.
Eligible customers can sign up to the scheme on British Gas’ website, by entering in your full name, email address and customer reference number.
Crucially, you can only register your interest for the scheme if you have a smart meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.
The eneregy company said in statement: “What’s more, customers have saved around 326 tonnes of carbon emissions and shifted 11,799 MWh of electricity through PeakSave Sundays alone.”
Meanwhile, British Gas extended a “no-brainer” initiative – offering millions of customers half-price electricity.
The scheme offers qualifying customers half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.
British Gas first launched the scheme in December 2022 but has extended it multiple times.
The energy firm said over 500,000 customers had already signed up for the scheme, saving a combined £7million between them.
You can sign up for the scheme on the British Gas website by entering your full name, email address and customer reference number.
It will then get in touch if your application is successful and credit back any money saved after taking part each week.
However, if you are not a British Gas customer, Ovo Energy has a similar scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.
The energy supplier will pay eligible customers £10 a month if they reduce their energy consumption during peak times.
Power Move offers customers up to £10 a month if they cut their usage between 6-9pm, 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.
You might be able to get free home insulation or have other energy-saving measures installed on your property through the Energy Company Obligation.
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 households eligible for the scheme to save around £600 to £700 on their bills each year after having energy-saving measures put in place.
Meanwhile, another winter energy scheme that gives cashback on bills during peak hours is now set to run all year round.
The Electricity Systems Operator (ESO) has confirmed that the popular Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) scheme will now be available throughout the year.
Introduced in 2022, DFS so far has been a winter energy scheme that pays billpayers cashback for reducing their electricity consumption during the peak hours of usage.
While the scheme was only available during the closer months, it is now set to run all year long – meaning billpayers can expect to fill their wallets with some extra cashback.
ESO has proposed to redesign the scheme works to support the stress on the national grid stress not just in winter but throughout the year.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE’S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Source: Energy supplier gives money back on bills to customers making small changes
