Households across Britain will be offered £10 of free electricity on Christmas Day – but only if they have a smart meter.
The deal is available as a result of a partnership between price comparison website Uswitch and the National Grid while households will need to sign up by December 22.
The offer is part of a wider move to publicise the benefits of smart meters and a regime run by the National Grid which is designed to smooth out demand for electricity.
One aspect of the scheme helps households earn money by cutting their energy use by, for example, turning off washing machines and dishwashers, at peak periods.
Household smart meters can pick up exactly how much energy people are using and when. A number of energy firms use this data to give money back to customers who cut down during peak periods of high demand, particularly during the winter.
A second element of the scheme allows energy companies to give people free electricity on days when there is an excess of wind power that might otherwise go to waste.
The festive shutdown of factories, shops and offices means there is an excess of electricity on the grid, which gives energy giants room to give free power to customers.
The Uswitch Money Back offers potential earnings for every kWh saved during Money Back sessions. It is open to anyone with a working smart meter and display unit who opts in, no matter who their supplier is
To take part, participants need to download the Uswitch mobile app, connect your smart meter and turn on push notifications to be alerted when a session is due to start.
Households who sign up for the Uswitch Money Back scheme will get all the electricity they use on Christmas Day for free, up to the value of £10.
The National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service rewards households who reduce their electricity use at key times. These changes cut pressure on the grid and in the long term could help the UK shift to using more renewable energy.
The payments are expected to be lower on average than last year’s scheme but as with last year, Uswitch’s scheme will pass on the full payment awarded by the National Grid.
Each Demand Session could offer a different level of payment, but this will be communicated to users before they opt in to each session.
Uswitch said: “Those taking part will be asked to reduce their electricity usage in a safe and manageable way, such as by switching off appliances not in use, and also adapting their routine, for example delaying cooking a meal or switching on the dishwasher.
“Households can use the app to monitor how much they have reduced their electricity usage compared to their typical usage. The app will calculate household earnings throughout the sessions. Once the scheme has ended, users will be paid in full. Users will also have the option to donate their earnings to charity.”
Those who wish to take part in the National Grid NESO Demand Flexibility Service can only opt into one scheme at a time.
Therefore, anyone wanting to take part in Money Back will need to opt out of existing schemes provided by other apps or services, or they may be disqualified from taking part.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “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.
“Based on the Money Back sessions, customers may find ways to change their energy habits for good and save on their energy bills all year round.
“Anyone with a smart meter display unit can take part in Money Back, no matter who their energy provider is. We’re also passing on the full payment for those who qualify.”
You can find out more about the scheme here.
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