Major energy provider to pay thousands of customers to reduce usage every week this summer – check if you’re eligible

A MAJOR energy provider is set to pay thousands of customers to slash their usage this summer – we reveal who is eligible.

British Gas has today launched its “Summer Sundays” scheme, offering customers discounted energy until the end of September.

AlamyBritish Gas is offering thousands of customers money off their energy bill[/caption]

Households will get 50% off all electricity used each Sunday between 11am and 4pm from June 25 to September 24.

Roughly 150,000 households are already set to take part – but you can still sign up if you haven’t already.

It comes as part of the energy provider’s PeakSave scheme, which launched in December last year.

British Gas said it expects customers involved in the scheme to save £5million in total by the end of September.

It’s worth noting, you’ll need a smart meter installed if you haven’t already signed up and want to take part.

You can register your interest on the British Gas website, and the firm will get in touch if you’ve been selected.

Households that successfully sign up won’t have to re-register for every Sunday session – once is enough.

Once you’ve been accepted on to the scheme, you’ll be able to use as much electricity as you want over the five-hour window.

At the end of every Sunday, British Gas will credit half of what you spent back to your account.

The payment will show up as “PeakSave Credit” on your bill or online statement.

How much can I save?

British Gas estimate customers signing up to Summer Sundays will save nearly £30 in 14 weeks across eight activities.

The firm said households using an electric oven for two hours each Sunday will save £8.90 in total over the summer.

Meanwhile, people can save £5.37 over the same time frame if using a tumble dryer for one hour a week.

The full list of activities and estimated savings across the 14-week period is:

Watching television – £1.27Drinking x10 cups of tea/coffee – 99pTwo hours using electric oven – £8.90One hour using electric hob – £4.24One hour spent vacuuming £2.97One hour using washing machine – £4.52One hour using tumble dryer – £5.37Two hours playing video games – 99p

How else can I save money on my energy bills?

There’s a number of ways you can cut back on the cost of your energy bills, even if you don’t get selected for the British Gas scheme.

If you’ve got old-style halogen light bulbs it’s worth switching to LED ones to save you some cash – it could be worth £55 a year too.

Meanwhile, ditching the tumble dryer and drying your clothes outside, if you can, will save you some money too.

Even if you don’t have a garden or any open space, you can use a clothes airer and leave it next to an open window.

You might be able to get help paying for your energy bills too.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) was set up by the Government and is worth £842million.

The money has been distributed among councils in England so you’ll have to get in touch with yours to receive help.

If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.

The type of help on offer varies depending on where you live.

But, you might be able to get energy vouchers or a cash grant paid direct into your bank account to help pay for your bills.

Meanwhile, a number of energy companies, including British Gas, offer grants if you’re struggling to pay your bills – you can read the full list here.

British Gas provides energy to over seven million UK homes and businesses.

It was founded in 1812, originally as the Gas Light and Coke Company.

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