Millions of households have another chance to save cash on their energy bills at 5pm tonight, as the National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service runs another event tonight at 5pm.
Previously, customers have had to sign up with their supplier to take part in the energy-saving events, with major firms such as British Gas, Eon, EDF and Octopus Energy launching their own schemes. But now any household with a smart meter can take part regardless of who their buy their energy from, by using a mobile app.
Loop's Turn Down and Save and Uswitch's and Utrack Money Back both allow families to take part in the event, even if their supplier has not signed up.
Read more: Experts hope that energy bills will start to fall from the summer onwards
The Demand Flexibility Service, operated by the Electricity System Operator (ESO) — a branch of National Grid, allows households to be rewarded for saving energy if they opt in to the event before it starts. Tonight's session is between 5-6pm. The scheme was introduced to avert blackouts by reducing the demand on the National Grid during peak times.
While some people have taken to social media to complain about the small amount of money saved, up to a million households participated in the first event, and received credits towards their bills totalling more than £2 million. Loop reckons the average user reduced their energy by 40% and saved £3.67 per event last month., while Uswitch promises to pay users the full payment awarded by National Grid — about £3 for every kWh saved.
Because the apps widen the amount of people who can take part, Loop estimates an additional 12.9 million households could earn rewards until the end of March, when the scheme ends. To take part, you must have a smart meter fitted in your home.
Families are encouraged to make small changes like bathing or showering later in the evening, prepping family meals in the afternoon and playing board games rather than watching TV during the DFS hours. Steve Buckley, of Loop, said: “People can earn rewards today by making small changes, such as opting to use their washing machine, dishwasher and other high energy appliances at earlier or later times in the day.
“It’s not only about reducing your usage, but also about changing when you use electricity away from peak times - so if your heating is electric, warm up your home ahead of the National Grid event, and save your cooking or laundry until afterwards.”
Now read:
- Energy crisis: Can your energy company move you to a prepay meter to clear debt?
- Five energy companies with 'severe weaknesses' named and shamed by Ofgem
- Almost two million families will get an extra £200 towards their heating bills
- Tumble driers, radiators and heated airers: Work out the best way to get your laundry dry amid the energy crisis
- Changes to Warm Homes grant mean some miss out this year - list in full of who is eligible
