Millions can still get free electricity for Christmas regardless of supplier
MILLIONS of households could get free electricity on Christmas Day.
Families have until December 22 to sign up to a scheme that will let them claim up to £10 worth of free electricity.
The Uswitch Money Back Scheme aims to help ease the cost of the festive season.
The scheme, linked to the National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service, rewards households for cutting their electricity usage during peak times.
By easing pressure on the grid, the program also aims to support the UK’s shift to renewable energy.
HOW IT WORKS
USwitch’s Money Back scheme is available to anyone with a smart meter and display unit, regardless of their energy supplier.
To qualify for the Christmas Day bonus, you must connect your smart meter through the Uswitch mobile app and opt into the scheme by December 22.
Users will also receive payments for reducing their electricity consumption during scheduled Money Back sessions.
The Uswitch app will notify participants of upcoming sessions. During these, households are encouraged to cut down on their energy use, such as by turning off unused appliances.
Once the scheme ends, users will receive their payments in full or can donate them to charity.
Participants can only join one Demand Flexibility Service scheme at a time.
Those already enrolled in other similar services will need to opt out of their existing scheme to join Money Back.
Payments for this year’s Demand Flexibility Service are expected to be lower than last year, but Uswitch has guaranteed to pass on the full payment awarded by the National Grid.
The amount available to claim for each session will vary, but details are provided in advance.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch, said:
“Winter can be an expensive time for many households, so we hope that as many homes as possible can enjoy our little gift of free electricity on Christmas Day.
“The Uswitch mobile app and the Money Back service are there to help households understand their energy usage and make the right choices for their home, as well as to cut back on energy consumption in a safe and manageable way.”
Don’t miss this chance to cut down on costs while celebrating the festive season with free electricity.
How to sign up
You can sign up for the reward by following three simple steps:
- Sign up by downloading the Uswitch mobile app
- Connect your smart meter to the app
- Opt in to Money Back through the app.
COMPARING ENERGY DEALS
As energy suppliers compete to help households cut costs, Uswitch’s Money Back scheme is just one of several options available this winter. Here are some other deals on offer from individual suppliers…
Scottish Power
Scottish Power offers half-price electricity for customers with smart meters on weekends.
The discounted rate is available every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm.
While this doesn’t cover Christmas Day, it provides consistent savings for households who can shift their energy usage to these times.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy customers signed up for the “Octoplus” scheme can benefit from free electricity sessions when wholesale energy prices drop below zero.
These sessions last an hour, allowing households to use electricity for free and even earn credits for exceeding their typical usage.
Alerts are sent the day before each session, letting participants plan activities like charging gadgets or running appliances to maximise their savings.
Ovo Energy
Ovo Energy’s Power Move rewards customers for using less electricity during peak times.
Households can earn up to £10 a month if they reduce their energy consumption between 6pm and 9pm, Monday to Friday.
Unlike Uswitch’s one-off Christmas bonus, Ovo’s offer incentivises reducing energy consumption long-term.
EDF Energy
EDF’s Sunday Saver Challenge offers free electricity on Sundays for households that reduce their weekday energy consumption.
For Christmas, participating customers will enjoy eight hours of free power on December 25, regardless of their energy usage the week before.
E.ON Next
E.ON Next customers can take advantage of free electricity over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
The deal also waives daily standing charges during this period, potentially offering substantial savings.
To qualify, customers must have a smart meter and be on the supplier’s Next Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff.
While some providers like EDF and E.ON Next offer extended free electricity windows, Uswitch’s scheme stands out for its flexibility.
Anyone with a smart meter can join the Money Back program, regardless of their current supplier.
Additionally, the Christmas Day bonus of up to £10 offers a straightforward and accessible way to save on festive energy costs without committing to longer-term adjustments.
Households looking to save should weigh these offers carefully and act quickly to meet sign-up deadlines.
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.