Major energy suppliers giving away free electricity this month – how to get five days’ worth
SEVERAL major energy suppliers are giving away free electricity this month - and savvy users could reap in savings over five days.
Providers are encouraging people to shift their energy use to off-peak times and doing so could save you a small fortune.
By shifting your usage you could wipe out five days of energy costs in march, or even win £2,000 of free energy to use in 2025.
But, be aware that not all providers offer of-peak rewards and those that do all have different terms.
Some simply slash the cost of energy at quieter times, with savings as big as 50%, while others have other rewards available.
The aim is to encourage customers to shift their usage to times when there's less pressure on the grid or more renewable energy available.
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These are all the providers offering you the chance to save this month:
EDF
EDF Energy has relaunched its Sunday Saver challenge, which rewards customers who shift their usage to the end of the week.
The energy firm is rewarding those who use energy on Sundays with free energy to use the following week.
And, in March you'll have five chances to rack up the savings.
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 usage away from peak hours 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.
British Gas
British Gas' Peak Save Sundays scheme offers customers half-price electricity during certain hours.
Those eligible can access the cut-price tariff between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.
The energy firm said more than 650,000 customers had already signed up for the scheme, saving a combined £13million.
You can sign up by visiting britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html.
Ovo Energy
Ovo Energy also offers customers the chance to win free energy if they reduce their energy consumption during peak times.
Power Move offers customers the chance to win up to £2,000 of free energy if they use 85% or more at off-peak times.
Right now Ovo regards peak times as between 5pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday, although this could change.
So, right now you can save by using the dishwasher in the morning, waiting until after 7pm to catch up on TV or doing your laundry on a Sunday.
For every month your peak energy usage is less than 15% you'll be entered into a prize draw.
Five customers will win the top prize of £2,000 of energy to use over one year, with 200 winning £50 prizes and 22,850 landing £2 of free energy.
You can sign up by visiting ovoenergy.com/power-move.
Scottish Power
Scottish Power's Power Saver scheme offers customers the chance to access half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Saturday and Sunday.
To have half the cost of the energy they used during those hours refunded, customers just need to register to become a Power Saver.
Scottish Power will also occasionally launch ad-hoc Power Saver events during the week.
You must have a smart meter to register to be a Power Saver.
E.ON
E.ON Next is giving new and existing customers the chance to get eight days of free electricity between April this year and March 2026.
Those signed up will receive an extra Bank Holiday treat in the form of free electricity.
The electricity will be refunded as a credit to customer's accounts after each Bank Holiday, the next of which is Good Friday on April 18.
E.ON Next predicts households will save £3.50 for every Bank Holiday day, totalling £28 across all eight.
However, you'll have to have already signed up to the firm's Pledge tariff to access the free electricity sessions.
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.
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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/.
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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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