A MAJOR energy supplier is offering half-price electricity to its customers this winter – meaning you could save as much as £300.
The offer will be available to customers every weekend until the end of April 2025.
Scottish Power is currently offering the deal to all customers with a smart meter to help them tackle their rising energy bills.
The energy firm is also making price cuts to encourage households to use less energy at peak times.
This lowers the demand for electricity and allows for more sustainable energy production.
The discounted prices will be available on both Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 11am and 4pm.
The scheme follows a six-day trial that saw 5,000 customers adjust when they used their electricity at home.
From the results, the average household was estimated to save at least £35 a year – while the biggest savers made up to £300.
This means you could save as much as £25 each month by shifting your energy usage away from peak timings with Scottish Power.
Andrew Ward, Chief Executive of Scottish Power’s Customer Business said: “Through half-price weekends, we hope to raise awareness of the benefits of using less electricity at peak times and encourage shifting usage to other days where they can.
“We know our customers are savvy when it comes to managing their energy use. We’re driving initiatives to help reduce bills, especially at this time of year when people are using more energy and the new price cap comes into force”.
The energy price cap will rise again by 1.2% in January, causing the average household bill to go up to £1,738.
This is up £21 from the October price cap which is £1,717.
Scottish Power’s scheme could help lift the financial burden of this increase for thousands of its customers.
Of course, the amount you can save will vary depending on your usual energy usage.
To work out your current monthly usage, you can check on your smart meter device or app – unless you have a Standard Variable Tariff (SVT) in which case you’ll need to take a manual reading.
However, the deal only applies to those with a Scottish Power smart meter account, so if you are on an SVT or have a fixed rate you will not be eligible.
It’s worth applying for a smart meter if you don’t have one – not just for the winter deal, but also because it is a helpful device to install.
With a smart meter, you no longer need to send regular meter readings, so you can rest assured your monthly bill is accurate.
However, it’s still important to keep an eye on the figures, as some smart meters have been known to go dumb and ramp up unexpected charges.
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
If you’re with Scottish Power and are unsure what plan you are currently on, and are interested in a smart meter, go to the website or app for more information.
Bear in mind however that the half-price energy deal is only running for the winter, so make sure to consider the long-term pros and cons if considering switching plans.
And if you’re with a different energy film, make sure to check if there are any deals with your current provider.
You can easily do this by checking the website, or app or calling the customer phone line.
Scottish Power isn’t the only energy firm offering discounted electricity to its customers.
E.ON Energy and EDF Energy are also offering exclusive deals for the winter.
For example, EDF Energy is offering completely free electricity to customers who use their energy during off-peak times on Sundays in December.
Customers who sign up for the Sunday Saver Challenge will also be rewarded with eight hours of free power on December 25.
However, customers must sign up by December 1 – otherwise, they may miss out.
You can sign up via the EDF Energy website, by searching for “Sunday Saver Challenge”.
Meanwhile, E.ON Next is offering free energy on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In order to be eligible, customers must be signed up to the supplier’s Next Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff.
Based on the January price cap, the fixed tariff means customers could expect to save £116 per year starting in January on top of getting free electricity on December 24, 25 and 26.
For more information, go to the E.ON website.
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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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