A MAJOR energy supplier is set to provide tens of thousands of customers with free electricity next month.
EDF Energy is relaunching its popular Sunday Saver challenges this weekend, designed to reward households with free electricity for shifting their energy usage to off-peak hours.
By making simple changes, such as charging your devices outside peak times, running your dishwasher in the morning, or batch cooking meals at the weekend, you can maximise your rewards.
The more energy you shift away from peak periods during the week, the more free electricity you’ll earn.
For example, moving 40% of your peak usage could earn you up to 16 free hours of electricity to use the following Sunday.
To take part, customers need a smart meter set to provide half-hourly readings.
Adjusting your meter settings is quick and easy – simply log in to your EDF MyAccount at edfenergy.com/myaccount/login, go to the “About Me” section, select “Smart Meter Preferences,” and choose the half-hourly option.
Once your meter is set up, you can join the Sunday Saver challenge through the Energy Hub in your MyAccount.
The Energy Hub also allows you to monitor your electricity usage and identify when you consume the most energy, helping you make the most of the scheme.
Any free electricity credits earned will be automatically added to your account, and you can track your progress each week in the Energy Hub.
Rich Hughes, director of retail at EDF said: “With energy prices rising, we know many household budgets are stretched, which is why we want to help more people still do the things they love on a Sunday for free, saving them cash on their bills and helping them to reduce their carbon footprint.”
What do other energy suppliers offer?
A number of other energy suppliers reward customers with discounts or credit when they change the way they use their gas and electricity usage.
These schemes, offered by the likes of British Gas, Octopus and Ovo Energy, can help customers save money this winter.
Here’s everything you need to know.
British Gas
British Gas‘ Peak Save Sundays scheme offers millions of customers half-price electricity for using their energy during certain hours.
It offers qualifying customers half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.
The energy firm said over 650,000 customers had already signed up for the scheme, saving a combined £13million.
You can sign up to the scheme by visiting britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html.
The supplier will then contact you if your application is successful.
After that, your savings will appear as “PeakSave Credit” on your next energy bill or online statement.
Be aware that you can only sign up for the scheme if you have a smart credit or prepayment meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.
If you don’t have a smart meter, don’t worry, British Gas will install one for free in your home.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy customers who are signed up for the “Octoplus” can take part in free electricity sessions when wholesale prices fall below zero.
The sessions last an hour, and customers can use electricity for free and receive credits for using more than they typically would.
All customers with a smart meter, including smart prepay meters, receive an alert the day before each session.
When the session begins, they can ramp up their electricity usage – whether it’s charging gadgets, running a laundry marathon, or any other household activity.
Any extra electricity consumed beyond their normal usage will be credited back to their account.
Find out more by visiting octopus.energy/free-electricity/.
Ovo Energy
Ovo Energy also offers a scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.
Power Move offers customers up to £10 a month if they use 8.50% or less of their home’s total electricity 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 can sign up by visiting ovoenergy.com/power-move.
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 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 £2,000.
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.
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.