Full list of energy suppliers giving away free electricity this month – how to get four days’ worth
HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of all the energy firms giving away free electricity this month.
It comes as Ofgem's energy price cap has risen by approximately 6%, adding an extra £111 per year to the average household bill.
Around 22million households on standard variable tariffs which are subject to the price cap, and will see their bills rise from £1,738 to £1,849 per year.
And it isn't the only household bill to have surged during what many are calling "Awful April" - follow our series to find out more.
But a number of energy suppliers have launched schemes which can help customers save on their bill.
For starters, EDF is giving customers up to four days of free electricity through its s Sunday Saver challenges.
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This is a scheme where customers can earn free electricity on Sundays by shifting the electricity they use during the week.
It's April challenge will see customers rewarded with free electricity on on four Sundays from April 20.
These will include April 20 and 27 and May 4 and 11.
To participate, EDF customers need to can sign up from now until April 6, before the challenge begins on April 7.
To take part in the challenge customers need to move their electricity use away from the weekday peak hours of 4pm to 7pm.
The more electricity customers shift away from these hours, the more free electricity they can earn, with between four and 16 hours on offer.
This will then added as credit to their account.
You can find out more by searching for "Sunday Savers" on the EDF website.
Elsewhere, British Gas offers half-price electricity through its PeakSave scheme on Sundays between 11am-4pm.
The scheme rewards customers for shifting their electricity usage to times when there’s less demand.
To sign up customers need to be a British Gas customers, have a smart meter and then register online for the PeakSave scheme.
Customers can do this by visiting, www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak.
And the major energy firm is giving customers an extra chance to save tomorrow for PeakSave users. .
Customers can enjoy half price electricity between 12:30pm and 14:30pm.
This is because as windy conditions have resulted in more renewable energy being available.
This will come on top of the regular half price scheme it runs on Sunday.
MORE FIRMS OFFERING DISCOUNTED ELECTRICITY
Meanwhile, ScottishPower offers half-price electricity at weekends to its smart meter customers on both Saturday and Sunday.
Those registered for Power Saver will receive the discounted rate every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm.
Scottish Power will then credit your bill with money you’ve saved.
To join the scheme you will need to have a smart meter and then register for the scheme online.
You can register online by visting /www.scottishpower.co.uk/login?go=/hem/power-saver-eligibility-checker.
Elsewhere, Ovo Energy offers customers the chance to win free energy if they reduce their consumption during peak times.
The Power Move offer gives customers the chance to win up to £2,000 of free energy if they use 85% or more of their energy at off-peak times.
For every month a customer’s peak energy usage is less than 15% they are entered into a prize draw.
Five customers win the top prize of £2,000 worth of energy to use over one year, with 200 winning £50 prizes and 22,850 receiving £2 of free energy.
Meanwhile, 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.
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Any extra electricity consumed beyond their normal usage will be credited back to their account.
Find out more by visiting octopus.energy/free-electricity/.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.