A MAJOR energy supplier is giving thousands of customers free electricity over three days this Christmas.
The free power will be available to eligible E.ON Next customers on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Standing charges will also be waived during this three-day period.
E.ON Next is not the only energy supplier to provide such an offer during the festive season.
EDF Energy announced a similar scheme yesterday.
However, to participate in E.ON Next’s scheme, customers must be signed up for the supplier’s Next Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff.
Approximately 28 million households are currently on standard variable tariffs, which are capped by Ofgem‘s price cap.
The current price cap is set at £1,717 per year, but it is forecast to rise to £1,736 in January.
This means customers signing up for E.ON’s plan could expect to save £116 per year starting in January on top of getting free electricity on December 24, 25 and 26.
Julian Lennertz, chief commercial officer at E.ON Next, told The Sun: “As the festive season approaches we know many across the nation may be worried about making ends meet.
“Our new Free Electricity Days deal will help our customers enjoy their Christmas, without worry over the impact any extra electricity usage across these three key festive days will have on their energy bills.
“This is the first time E.ON Next has offered three consecutive days of free electricity and I am thrilled we are able to do this for our customers at a special time of year.”
It is important to note that E.ON’s free power deal over Christmas applies only to electricity and does not include free gas usage.
This means the average household will save approximately £7.27 on their electricity costs over the three-day period.
This estimate is based on a typical household’s annual usage of 2,700 kWh of electricity.
You can apply for the tariff on E.ON’s website.
A NUMBER of energy suppliers reward customers with discounts or credit when they change the way they use their gas and electricity usage.
These schemes, offered by the likes of British Gas, Octopus and Ovo Energy, can help customers save money this winter.
Here’s everything you need to know.
British Gas
British Gas’ Peak Save Sundays scheme offers millions of customers half-price electricity for using their energy during certain hours.
It offers qualifying customers half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.
The energy firm said over 650,000 customers had already signed up for the scheme, saving a combined £13million.
You can sign up to the scheme by visiting britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html.
The supplier will then contact you if your application is successful.
After that, your savings will appear as “PeakSave Credit” on your next energy bill or online statement.
Be aware that you can only sign up for the scheme if you have a smart credit or prepayment meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.
If you don’t have a smart meter, don’t worry, British Gas will install one for free in your home.
EDF Energy
EDF offers customers the opportunity to run their homes for no cost if they take part in a new challenge.
To get the hours of free electricity, customers must cut down on using electrical devices during “peak hours”, which tend to be between 4pm-7pm Monday to Friday.
In return, EDF will give customers free electricity on Sundays when demand to the energy grid tends to be lower.
The more electricity customers shift to off-peak times, the more free electricity they can earn.
Customers who manage to cut back their usage by 40% during the week can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity to use on a Sunday.
To take part, customers need a smart meter.
To find out more, visit edfenergy.com/energy-efficiency/sunday-saver-challenge.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy customers who are signed up to the “Octoplus” can take part in free electricity sessions when wholesale prices fall below zero.
The sessions last an hour, and customers can use electricity for free and receive credits for using more than they typically would.
All customers with a smart meter, including smart prepay meters, receive an alert the day before each session.
When the session begins, they can ramp up their electricity usage – whether it’s charging gadgets, running a laundry marathon, or any other household activity.
Any extra electricity consumed beyond their normal usage will be credited back to their account.
Find out more by visiting octopus.energy/free-electricity.
Ovo Energy
Ovo Energy also offers a scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.
Power Move offers customers up to £10 a month if they use 8.50% or less of their home’s total electricity between 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.
For example, by using the dishwasher in the morning or waiting until after 9pm in the evening to catch up on TV.
You can sign up by visiting ovoenergy.com/power-move.
If your main objective is to find the cheapest fixed energy deal to avoid potential price cap increases by Ofgem, and you are not particularly interested in free electricity hours, you can save more money with other tariffs.
Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch.com, said: “Predictions that energy prices for those still on standard variable tariffs will rise again in January are another kick in the teeth for households.
“However, there are now a range of fixed deals available that are significantly cheaper than the predicted price cap for January, so it is well worth running a comparison to see how much you could save.
“Right now, the average household could save up to £120 per year against the current price cap by switching to a fixed deal.”
Outfox the Market is currently offering the cheapest deal on the open market to new and existing customers.
Its Fix’d Dual Nov24 v1.0 tariff costs a typical household £1,597 a year.
This means it is £120 cheaper than Ofgem’s October price cap and £139 lower than the predicted cap for January.
It comes with a £25 exit fee per fuel or £50 if you lock in with a dual fuel tariff.
E.ON Next’s Fixed 12m v33 costs the same.
Sainsbury’s Energy’s Fix and Reward Fixed 12m V33 costs £1,615 a year – £102 less than Ofgem’s October price cap and £121 cheaper than the predicted cap for January.
It comes with a £50 exit fee per fuel or £100 if you lock in with a dual fuel tariff.
Other firms may offer offer prices which beat those in the table above.
But, these often cost customers more by forcing them to take out an extra service, like boiler cover, which isn’t always necessary.
So, make sure you always read the small print.
Customers unwilling to commit to long-term fixed energy deals may want to consider flexible tariffs.
Kara Gammell, personal finance expert at comparison site Money Supermarket Group, says: “These will almost always be at or below the price cap.”
For example, E.ON Next‘s Pledge variable tariff offers a fixed discount of around three per cent on the price cap rates for 12 months.
It will save the average household around £50 a year but comes with a £50 exit fee if you switch before the year ends.
The deal is available to both new and existing customers.
EDF Energy’s Ensure Tracker works in a similar way and offers a £50 discount off the price cap’s standing charges for 12 months.
For a bigger reward but at a higher risk, Octopus Energy offers two variable tariffs which track wholesale gas and electricity costs.
Customers on the Octopus Tracker see their prices change daily, but unit rates have remained consistently lower than the price cap in recent months.
For example, in the last 30 days, people living in Southern England on the Octopus Tracker paid a maximum of 22.5p per kWh for electricity and 5.22p per kWh of gas.
The Agile Octopus tariff works similarly to the Octopus Tracker, but the main difference is that the former’s prices change every half hour.
Remember that those wishing to switch to any of these tracker tariffs must have a smart meter.
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
