A MAJOR energy provider is set to pay thousands of customers to slash their usage this summer.
British Gas today launched its Summer Sundays scheme, offering customers discounted energy until the end of September.
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Households will get 50% off all electricity used each Sunday between 11am and 4pm from June 25 to September 24.
British Gas says demand for electricity is low on Sundays, so is encouraging customers to use as much as they need during these hours rather than at peak times.
Roughly 150,000 households are already set to take part – but you can still sign up if you haven’t already.
It comes as part of the energy provider’s PeakSave scheme, which launched in December last year.
British Gas said it expects customers involved in the scheme to save £5million in total by the end of September.
It’s worth noting, you’ll need a smart meter installed if you haven’t already signed up and want to take part.
You can register your interest on the British Gas website, providing your full name, email address, and customer reference number, and the firm will get in touch if you’ve been selected.
Households that successfully sign up won’t have to re-register for every Sunday session – once is enough.
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Once you’ve been accepted onto the scheme, you’ll be able to use as much electricity as you want over the five-hour window.
At the end of every Sunday, British Gas will credit half of what you spent back to your account.
The payment will show up as “PeakSave Credit” on your bill or online statement.
Catherine O’Kelly, managing director of British Gas Energy said: “We look forward to welcoming even more customers to the PeakSave scheme and helping them make savings on their bills this summer.
“The electricity grid continues to face enormous pressures and we recognise the need to better manage periods of peak demand to ensure a safe, constant and more sustainable supply across the UK. Since launching PeakSave last year, we have gained valuable insight on how we can control periods of high demand on the grid, while helping our customers to make significant savings.
“We want to increase the number of customers who have signed up to the scheme so we can understand its true potential and achieve a greener and more controlled grid.”
How much can I save?
British Gas estimate customers signing up to Summer Sundays will save nearly £30 in 14 weeks across eight activities.
The firm said households using an electric oven for two hours each Sunday will save £8.90 in total over the summer.
Meanwhile, people can save £5.37 over the same time frame if using a tumble dryer for one hour a week.
The full list of activities and estimated savings across the 14-week period is:
- Watching television – £1.27
- Drinking x10 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
How else can I save money on my energy bills?
There are a number of ways you can cut back on the cost of your energy bills, even if you don’t get selected for the British Gas scheme.
If you’ve got old-style halogen light bulbs it’s worth switching to LED ones to save you some cash – it could be worth £55 a year too.
Meanwhile, ditching the tumble dryer and drying your clothes outside, if you can, will save you some money too.
Even if you don’t have a garden or any open space, you can use a clothes airer and leave it next to an open window.
You might be able to get help paying for your energy bills too.
The Household Support Fund (HSF) was set up by the Government and is worth £842million.
The money has been distributed among councils in England so you’ll have to get in touch with yours to receive help.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
The type of help on offer varies depending on where you live.
But, you might be able to get energy vouchers or a cash grant paid directly into your bank account to help pay for your bills.
Meanwhile, a number of energy companies, including British Gas, offer grants if you’re struggling to pay your bills – you can read the full list here.
British Gas provides energy to over seven million UK homes and businesses.
It was founded in 1812, originally as the Gas Light and Coke Company.
