Little-known way to get PAID to use less energy this summer
A MAJOR energy provider is paying customers to slash their energy usage this summer.
British Gas launched its Summer Sundays scheme last month, offering customers discounted energy during off-peak times until the end of September.
Households get 50% off all electricity used each Sunday between 11am and 4pm until September 24.
The scheme is part of its PeakSave programme, which rewards customers for using energy when demand is lower.
British Gas says demand for electricity is particularly low on Sundays, so it is encouraging customers to use as much as they need during these hours rather than at peak times.
The company said it expects customers involved in the scheme to save £5 million in total by the end of September.
However, the scheme requires a smart meter to take part, so you’ll need to have one installed if you want to join.
The scheme, which began on June 25, launched to around 150,000 households – but you can still sign up if you haven’t already.
You can register your interest on the British Gas website by giving your full name, email address and customer reference number.
British Gas will get in touch if you’re accepted onto the scheme.
You’ll then be able to use as much electricity as you want at a discount over the five-hour window on Sundays.
Before switching energy providers, make sure to check you won’t be stung by any exit fees from your current provider.
Also make sure any new deals you’re signing up to are suitable for you in the long run.
How much can I save?
British Gas estimates customers who sign up to Summer Sundays will save almost £30 over 14 weeks across eight activities.
The firm said households using an electric oven for two hours each Sunday could save £8.90 in total over the summer.
Meanwhile, customers can save around £5.37 over the same timeframe if they use a tumble dryer for one hour a week.
The full list of activities and the estimated savings are:
- Watching television – £1.27
- Drinking 10 cups of tea/coffee – 99p
- Two hours using electric oven – £8.90
- One hour using electric hob – £4.24
- One hour spent vacuuming £2.97
- One hour using washing machine – £4.52
- One hour using tumble dryer – £5.37
- Two hours playing video games – 99p
Are there other schemes out there?
Other energy providers have run similar schemes in the past and may run them again in future.
Octopus Energy ran a scheme from November 2022 to March 2023 for using less energy during peak times.
It offered ‘Saving Sessions’ lasting between one and four hours a day where customers could earn rewards for using less electricity than usual.
Octopus says it expected an average home to save around £36 for the winter, but they could have saved up to £100.
Some energy providers offer cheaper rates for using electricity at night.
For example, SSE offers a cheaper electricity rate for using appliances such as washing machines between midnight and 7am.
EDF customers on an Economy 7 meter are also charged a cheaper rate for seven hours at night, sometime between 11pm and 8am.
The times vary depending on where you live and may be split into chunks, so contact EDF to check your exact times.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, a number of companies, including British Gas, offer grants – you can read the full list here.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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