You could get PAID to use your washing machine at different times of day – amid fears of major blackouts

MILLIONS of households could get paid to use less electricity this winter – amid fears of major blackouts.

The National Grid is figuring out a scheme that would incentivise consumers to use less energy at peak times, when supplies are low.

1

Customers with smart meters would be rewarded for keeping usage to a minimum during the busiest times.

The scheme is being proposed by National Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO), The Times reports.

The National Grid manages energy supplies to UK homes and has previously warned that energy supplies are tighter in winter, when demand is higher.

It would see people delay carrying out power-reliant activities such as using the washing machine, cooking dinner or using energy-guzzling game consoles.

Households could be paid as much as £6 for each kilowatt-hour that they avoid using at peak times, according to the newspaper.

But the exact details of a new scheme to reduce energy use at certain times and pay people for changing their habits have not been published/

Such schemes aim to move energy use out of peak times when demand is highest, easing the pressure on the electricity network.

A pilot scheme earlier in the year encouraged people to reduce their electricity usage by offering cash to cook dinner later or put washing on earlier.

The trial was tried at the busiest times of a week in February, to see how supply and demand can be better balanced across the country’s power networks.

The plans National Grid are working on would see the trial rolled out to millions of households.

Several suppliers offer Economy 7 tariffs already, which have cheaper pricing in the night compared to the day. We spoke to one man who saves money by washing his clothes at night on one of these.

Some also have tariffs that will pay you if you generate your own renewable energy and it goes back to the grid.

One man already proved he could make a difference to his power bill by using the clever trick.

The electric car owner shared how he cut his energy bill to almost zero by selling power back to the National Grid.

Paul Kershaw, 51, charges his vehicle during off-peak times and then sells it back to the supplier when it’s wanted the most.

The savvy driver has been able to cover the cost of his rising energy bills with the money he is making returning the energy for profit.

Paul says the move has cut his energy bills to almost zero.

He said: “It’s taking away a lot of the anxiety about bills going up by 300 per cent. Last year I paid £7.50 for electricity per month.”

The money saving hack stems from his participation in a ‘vehicle to grid’ trial by power supplier Ovo and software company Kaluza.

How can I get help with my bills?

There are schemes in place to help with rising energy costs.

Energy suppliers have schemes in place where you can apply for free grants to put towards your energy bills.

You can also apply to wipe your energy debt clear, or get money for energy efficient appliances.

Here’s the full list of energy suppliers handing out help and information on how to apply.

Councils also have schemes you can apply to – such as the Household Support Fund and welfare assistance programmes.

Help you can get varies from council to council under the Household Support scheme, but you can get vouchers or cash to put towards your energy bills.

While you can get up to £1,000 in cash if you apply to your local council’s welfare assistance scheme.

If you are struggling with your bills then there are a number of charities and organisations which may be able to help:

There are also grants available that could support you making bill payments.

There are around 8,000 charities and organisations in the UK that offer cash to help struggling families.

This could help with food, bills or buying essential white goods like a cooker or washing machine if you don’t have the cash to hand.

Turn2Us has a free grants search tool so you can find out what help is available to you.

It comes as households face being offered electricity tariffs with prices that change every half hour.

“Surge pricing” on energy bills will be possible thanks to smart meters, with people paying more at peak times and less at quieter times.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk