HUNDREDS of thousands of households who cut down on their energy use this winter will be offered Amazon or John Lewis vouchers.
It comes after households are being offered money for turning off their heating via the National Grid scheme.
But many people will end up missing out on getting the free cash as not all energy suppliers have joined the scheme and some that have have limited the number of customers who will benefit.
Energy management firm, equiwatt, is offering those who will miss out on the National Grid incentive the chance to earn free vouchers.
To earn the vouchers you’ll need to turn off their devices during peak times.
Households who do this will get vouchers from Amazon, John Lewis or other big brands.
Here’s how you can take part.
How to take part
Households will need to download the free equiwatt app and create an account.
The app will link to energy devices in your home such as smart meters, fridges and smart chargers.
It’ll then be able to monitor how much energy you’re using and therefore send you reminders about turning them off.
Customers will be invited to take party in energy saving events via the app.
These will be at peak times and there will be tasks to complete, like asking you to turn off or avoiding the use of appliances.
Users taking part in the tasks will earn points which they can then transfer into vouchers from the likes of Amazon, John Lewis, Asda and the Body Shop.
Points can be redeemed for vouchers in the equiwatt gift store, via the app.
You’ll be able to earn points which will transfer to a voucher worth a maximum of £100 – you’ll be able to earn up to 400 points which will get you the £100.
We’ve asked how long it might take someone to earn 400 points and will update the piece once we know more.
Users can choose to take part in as many events as they choose – so several peak time events per month – or fewer if that suits them better.
You’ll only need to turn off the power for one hour to be in a chance of earning a voucher.
You’ll need a connected smart meter with half hourly readings to qualify for the incentive.
Not only will this help with the rising cost of living but also enables households to reduce their carbon footprint.
The firm is yet to confirm when customers will receive their vouchers and if there’s a limit on how many each household can get.
Energy companies offering support via the National Grid scheme
Energy customers whose supplier is taking part in the National Grid will be able to earn money for switching off their appliances during the night amid blackout warnings.
We explain which suppliers are taking part.
British Gas
British Gas has confirmed it will be signing up to the Demand Flexibility Scheme.
A spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that it is working with the National Grid on what the offer to customers will look like.
As details are being thrashed out, there are no details on how much customers could earn by taking part.
EDF
EDF has now said it’ll offer SOME customers the £100 grant but only those it invites personally.
It said you cannot apply for the Demand Flexibility Scheme over the phone or email – only those asked will get something in their inbox.
The supplier said its selected a small group of customers, based on customer data and advice from National Grid.
EON
EON said it would be taking part in the Demand Flexibility Scheme.
It said it would be outlining details of the offer to customers soon.
Octopus
Octopus Energy, the UK’s fourth largest supplier, says its 1.4million customers on smart meters and 5,000 of its business customers can save £100 by signing up to the scheme.
The supplier says more than than 350,000 customers have signed up to its flexibility service called Saving Sessions.
Customers will be paid an average of £4 per kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they save compared to their normal usage during a certain timeframe.
Those interested in the scheme can register their interest here.
Ovo
OVO Energy has announced a trial where customers can save up to £100 on their bills by switching their usage to less busy times of the day.
They’re asking those who take part to cut their average consumption between the peak hours of 4pm-7pm to less than 12.5%.
Utilita
The provider is launching a trial offering customers money back for using their energy at off-peak times.
The trial is taking place before the National Grid’s Flexibility Demand Service.
Just over 1,000 households have been taking part since last week.
Who is not taking part?
A number of suppliers have still not confirmed whether they will sign up to the Demand Flexibility Scheme.
Shell Energy said it was “unlikely” it would take part in the trial but it did say it was offering those on who were on fixed tariffs to switch back.
Bulb confirmed that it wouldn’t be taking part.
More ways to save money on energy bills
Millions of households across the country are facing the pinch of the cost of living this winter – but there is help available.
Energy bill discount – worth £400
Millions of households started receiving a £400 energy bill discount from October 1.
The payment will be dished out by your energy supplier and will be split across six discounts between October and March next year.
We’ve listed how the leading energy suppliers plan to pay households.
British Gas, EDF Energy, Ovo Energy and Scottish Power plan to send the cash directly into customer bank accounts.
The way you’ll be paid will depend on how you pay for your energy.
Warm Home Discount – worth £150
Millions of households are in line to get a £150 discount off their energy bills between December and March 2023.
You’ll be eligible for the automatic discount if you received any of the following benefits up to August 21 this year:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
Cost of living payment – worth £650
Millions of households have been paid the first part of their £650 cost of living payment.
The payments aim to help hard-up households to help them with spiralling bills and essentials.
And those on the following benefits are eligible for the second payment worth £324:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment – worth £300
During this month, a £300 one-off “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” will be paid out to eight million households.
It will be given to those who already get the Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, the following must apply:
- You were born on or before 25 September 1956
- You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 – this is called the “qualifying week”.
Household support fund – worth £150
Local councils are giving out cash to help households struggling with bills and other essential costs.
How much you can get depends on where you live and in many areas.
To qualify you’ll usually need to be a recipient of council tax support.
Cold weather payments – worth up to £75
When temperatures plummet those in low-income households can get a £25 payment.
These cold weather payments have already been made in several locations where residents have experienced below-zero weather.
The payment is made automatically, including to those on Universal Credit, for each seven-day period of low temperatures between November 1 and March 31.
Energy grants – up to £1,500
There are plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling.
British Gas has confirmed it’ll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.
And the British Gas Energy Trust pays hard-up households up to £1,500 – and it doesn’t matter if they’re not a British Gas customer.
Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:
- British Gas Energy Trust
- Bulb energy fund
- EDF’s energy customer support fund
- E.on’s energy fund
- Octopus Energy Octo Assist fund
- Ovo’s debt and energy assistance
- Scottish Power’s hardship fund
Water bill discount – up to £270
Families on Universal Credit or other benefits could reduce their water bill by hundreds of pounds on average if they’re struggling.
You may be eligible for help through the WaterSure scheme, which puts a cap on bills for low income customers regardless of how much water they’re using.
Free £150
Shell Energy will be giving thousands of customers an extra £150 to help them this winter.
The energy giant will be boosting the £150 warm home discount payment to £300 for all 157,000 customers who get the help.
The warm home discount is available to those on the lowest incomes to help with rising costs.
You’ll need to be a recipient of one or more of the following benefits to qualify for the automatic £150 discount:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
Fuel vouchers – worth £50
If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it’s offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council – you can find yours via gov.uk by searching your postcode.
Universal Credit Christmas bonus – £10
Households claiming Universal Credit and other benefits will soon qualify for a tax-free Christmas bonus.
Eligible households will not need to apply for the bonus as it will be paid automatically – but they will need to meet the eligibility criteria.
The tax-free £10 payment is usually made after the qualifying week and before Christmas.
But to qualify for the payment you must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the first full week between December 5 and 11.
