CASH-strapped families can bag 25 hours of free electricity this November – thanks to a sizzling new offer from Uswitch.
The deal, open to anyone with a smart meter, lets households blast through the laundry, stick the tumble dryer on, or even power marathon shower sessions – without paying a penny.
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To get involved, all you need to do is download the free Uswitch app, link your smart meter and sign up before October 31.
Energy whizz Natalie Mathie said: “With bills rising tomorrow, we’re giving away free electricity to help ease the blow.
“By piling your big energy jobs into these slots, you’ll save cash and help ease pressure on the grid.”
And the savings soon stack up. Households running the tumble dryer 15 times during the freebie sessions could pocket nearly £12 back. Fancy 20 hot showers? That’s around £6.59 in the bank.
The free energy slots happen during off-peak times, when the grid is greener and more likely to be powered by renewables.
Natalie added: “It doesn’t matter who supplies your energy – everyone’s welcome as long as you’ve got a smart meter. But be quick – the deadline’s the end of October.”
The giveaway comes as the energy price cap rises by two per cent from October 1, pushing average bills up by £77 a month. Homes on standard tariffs are expected to fork out around £140 in October, compared to £63 in September.
The good news is that signing up won’t stop you joining any freebies your own supplier might dish out.
Uswitch – which has already saved Brits more than £2.7billion on bills over the past 25 years – says this latest offer is just another way it’s “putting cash back in your pocket this winter.”
So, if you fancy blitzing your washing basket on someone else’s dime – now’s your chance.
It comes after millions of households were being urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700.
Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund.
The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt.
As energy bills fall today, but with millions still struggling, the energy firm is urging eligible households to get in touch.
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Jessica Taplin, chief executive officer of the British Gas Energy Trust, which runs the fund, said: “Unlike customers who pay by direct debit, those on prepayment meters often see their debts taken immediately from any credit they add.
“That means they can run out of energy more quickly, and risk slipping into a cycle of debt that’s much harder to escape.
“Our Individuals and Families Fund provides lifechanging grants to households facing this cycle, and we encourage anyone to check the criteria and apply.”
The Individuals and Families Fund is open to British Gas customers but also those with other firms.
Ordinarily, this excludes those with OVO, Boost, Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utilita and Utility Warehouse.
This is because these suppliers have their own energy support funds and you can apply to them directly for help.
However, if your application with one of these firms has been declined, you may then apply to the British Gas Individual and Families Fund.
Here’s how it works:
- Pick a five-hour free slot each weekend in November – Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon.
- Uswitch tots up your usage and turns it into cash, which lands in your ‘Earn’ tab on the app.
- At the end of the month, withdraw the dosh straight into your bank account.
