God. I'm so tired of these energy bills. Aren't you? Last month I opened mine and nearly had a heart attack - £324 for a one-bedroom flat where I barely even cook! My mum laughed when I called to complain (thanks for the sympathy, Mum).
But here's the thing. I've discovered something that might actually help us all stop hemorrhaging money on electricity. Several major energy suppliers are basically PAYING you to do your washing and other energy-guzzling tasks at specific times.
And I'm not talking pennies here. One supplier is dangling up to £2,000 of free energy if you play by their rules.
The weekend washing hack that changed everything
I stumbled across this completely by accident. My washing machine was making that weird death-rattle sound at 11:30pm on a Sunday (you know the one), and I figured I'd wait till morning. Turns out that decision accidentally saved me money because I ended up doing it during off-peak hours.
The basic idea is stupidly simple: shift your energy-hungry tasks away from peak times. That means running your washing machine, charging devices, and batch cooking meals during specific hours when demand is lower.
For most suppliers, this means avoiding weekday evenings between 4-7pm when everyone and their dog is cooking dinner and watching Netflix.
Wait... free electricity? Is this some kind of joke?
Nope. I was skeptical too. But these are legitimate offers from major suppliers trying to balance the grid. By incentivizing us to use electricity when demand is lower, they avoid firing up extra power stations during peak times.
I've broken down what each major supplier is offering below, and honestly, some of these deals are actually worth rearranging your life for. I've already started doing my meal prep on Sunday afternoons and it's saving me about £12 a month. Not life-changing, but that's a few extra pints I didn't have before.
British Gas: Half-price Sundays (my personal fave)
British Gas has this thing called "Peak Save Sundays" where they slash your electricity price by 50% between 11am and 4pm every Sunday. Over 650,000 people have already jumped on this, saving a combined £13 million.
I signed up last month and now Sunday is officially laundry day in my house. I do three loads back-to-back, charge everything I own, and even pre-cook meals for teh week. My flatmate thinks I've lost my mind, but whatever.
You'll need a smart meter that sends half-hourly readings. Don't have one? They'll install it free.
Just visit britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html to sign up. The savings show up as "PeakSave Credit" on your next bill.
EDF's Sunday Saver (for the strategic planners)
This one's a bit more complicated but potentially more rewarding.
Basically, EDF rewards you for shifting your usage away from peak hours during weekdays. The more you shift during the week, the more free electricity you earn for Sunday.
If you manage to shift 50% of your peak usage, you can earn up to 16 free hours to use the following Sunday. That's basically an entire day of free power!
My colleague tried this and saved enough to run her tumble dryer for free every Sunday in February. She's annoyingly smug about it now.
You'll need a smart meter set for half-hourly readings. To change your settings, log into your EDF MyAccount, go to "About Me," select "Smart Meter Preferences," and choose the half-hourly option.
E.ON's Bank Holiday Bonanza
E.ON Next is doing something different - they're giving customers eight days of free electricity between April 2025 and March 2026, specifically on Bank Holidays.
They estimate households will save about £3.50 per Bank Holiday, totaling £28 across all eight days. Not exactly life-changing money, but hey, it's free.
The catch? You need to be on their Pledge tariff already. I looked into switching but it didn't make sense for my usage patterns. Worth checking though.
Ovo's £2,000 Power Move (sounds like a game show, right?)
This one's potentially the most lucrative but also feels a bit like entering the lottery. Ovo will enter you into a prize draw if you use less than 15% of your electricity during peak times (5-7pm, Monday-Friday).
The grand prize? £2,000 of free energy over a year. They also have smaller prizes - 200 people win £50, and 22,850 get a rather underwhelming £2 of free energy.
I've been trying this for three months adn haven't won anything yet. My strategy has been to eat cold food or takeout during peak hours and save my cooking for later. My dating life has suffered, but my electricity bill is down.
Visit ovoenergy.com/power-move to sign up.
Scottish Power's weekend half-price offer
Scottish Power's deal is pretty straightforward - half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Saturday AND Sunday. That's actually more generous than some of the others.
They also run random weekday events with more savings opportunities.
Like all these schemes, you need a smart meter to participate.
I tried calling them in 2018 to get more details, but spent 47 minutes on hold listening to the same four songs on repeat. Poor customer service rep sounded dead inside when she finally answered. I felt bad for her.
Look, none of these schemes will make you rich. But in this economy? I'll take whatever I can get. My strategy now is doing all major appliance stuff on weekends and avoiding cooking during peak hours.
It's working. Sort of.
Just remember - you need a smart meter for any of these to work. If you don't have one yet, call your supplier. They're installing them for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are credit scores and why are they important?
Credit scores are numerical representations of an individual's creditworthiness, calculated based on credit history, payment behavior, and debt levels. They are important because they impact the ability to obtain loans, credit cards, and favorable interest rates, affecting overall financial health.
What is the role of central banks in the economy?
Central banks manage a nation's currency, money supply, and interest rates. They implement monetary policy to control inflation, stabilize the currency, and foster economic growth. They also serve as lenders of last resort to the banking system during financial crises.
What is the difference between saving and investing?
Saving typically involves setting aside money in a secure account for short-term needs or emergencies, while investing involves using money to purchase assets like stocks or real estate with the expectation of generating a return over the long term. Investing carries higher risks but offers the potential for greater rewards.
What is the definition of money?
Money is a medium of exchange that facilitates transactions for goods and services. It serves as a unit of account, a store of value, and a standard of deferred payment, allowing individuals to compare the value of diverse products and services.
How can I improve my credit score?
To improve your credit score, make timely payments on all debts, reduce credit card balances, avoid opening unnecessary credit accounts, and regularly check your credit report for errors, disputing any inaccuracies. Maintaining a mix of credit types and keeping old accounts open can also be beneficial.
What are the risks associated with investing in the stock market?
Investing in the stock market involves several risks, including market volatility, economic downturns, and company-specific factors that can lead to losses. Investors may also face liquidity risk, where they cannot sell an investment quickly without incurring a loss. Diversification and thorough research can help mitigate these risks.
What are the main functions of money?
The primary functions of money are as a medium of exchange, facilitating trade; a unit of account, which provides a standard measure of value; a store of value, allowing individuals to save and transfer purchasing power over time; and a standard of deferred payment, enabling credit transactions.
Statistics
- A report by Bankrate indicated that only 29% of Americans have a written financial plan.
- As of 2021, the median household income in the U.S. was approximately $67,521, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
- As of 2021, the average student loan debt for recent graduates was approximately $30,000, according to the Federal Reserve.
- According to the Federal Reserve, approximately 39% of Americans do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency expense.
- The average return on investment for the S&P 500 over the past 90 years is about 10% per annum.
- Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that individuals who receive financial education are 25% more likely to save than those who do not.
- According to a Gallup poll, 56% of Americans report that their financial situation is better than it was a year ago.
- A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 72% of Americans reported feeling stressed about money at some point in the past month.
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How To
How To Plan for Major Expenses
Planning for major expenses requires careful thought and budgeting. Start by identifying upcoming significant costs, such as home repairs, medical expenses, or a new vehicle. Research the estimated costs associated with these expenses, and create a timeline for when the payments will be due. Develop a savings plan by determining how much you need to set aside each month to meet your goal by the target date. Consider using a high-yield savings account to earn interest on your savings. Regularly review and adjust your plan as needed, ensuring you stay on track to meet your financial obligations without incurring debt.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://hellofaread.com/money/private-schools-for-free-how-i-discovered-the-secret-world-of-elite-education-bursaries
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