A MAJOR energy firm is giving thousands of customers free electricity this Halloween.
E.ON Next, which serves 5.6 million customers in the UK, is offering selected customers free electricity this Halloween.
To claim the reward, customers who receive the email must first download the E.ON Next app[/caption]
The energy firm has begun emailing chosen customers, encouraging them to take advantage of this special offer.
Customers who download the E.ON Next app can receive a £5 credit on their electricity bill for Halloween.
The email sent to participants reads: “No tricks this Halloween, just a treat on us.
“Here’s a scarily good deal! Get a day’s worth of free electricity on us, just by following three simple steps.”
To claim the reward, customers who receive the email must first download the E.ON Next app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
After downloading the app, they need to log in to their E.ON Next account within 48 hours.
Once these steps are completed, customers can claim a free £5 energy credit, which will be applied to their electricity bill on October 31.
E.ON Next states that the £5 credit is equivalent to the average daily cost of electricity in the UK, meaning it will cover a full day’s electricity usage for most customers.
However, customers with a prepayment meter will not be eligible for this offer.
Reacting to the news of the offer on Facebook, one customer said: “Decent, that’ll cover boiling the kettle.”
Another said: “This can be really helpful for those who are struggling!”
“I downloaded their app, and it’s the first thing that pops up once signed in,” said a third.
Eligible customers have until 10am tomorrow (October 25) to redeem the offer before it closes for good.
E.ON Next said that the £5 credit will appear as ‘Free energy credit’ on online accounts, paper statements, and bills.
Customers who aren’t with E.ON Next can still get access to free bill credits by taking part in a number of energy-saving schemes.
OTHER WAYS TO GET FREE ENERGY CREDIT
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, EDF, 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 to the scheme, saving a combined £13million between them.
You can sign up to the scheme by visiting britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save.html.
The supplier will then be in touch with 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 to 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.
What energy bill help is available?
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 grant 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, and 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.
