British Households Can Get Paid to Cut Electricity Use This Winter: Here's Who Qualifies

British households could earn rewards or get cheaper electricity this winter by changing when they use power. Several major suppliers offer schemes that encourage customers to cut or shift consumption. The programmes vary. Some offer discounted or free electricity, while others provide points or financial rewards. Most require a compatible smart meter, while some have additional membership or account requirements.

The schemes come as energy costs remain under pressure. Ofgem's price cap rose by 4% on 1 October, taking the typical annual bill for a dual-fuel household paying by direct debit to £1,723 for October to December 2026. Cornwall Insight has forecast a further 16% rise in January 2027, which would take the typical bill to about £1,999. This is a forecast, not the confirmed January price cap.

Why Energy Suppliers Offer Rewards

The schemes encourage customers to reduce demand during busy periods or use more electricity when renewable generation is available. The benefits and conditions vary between suppliers:

1. British Gas

British Gas customers with a compatible smart meter can use PeakSave to access cheaper electricity at selected times. PeakSave Super Sunday offers eight hours of half-price electricity from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday. Standard PeakSave Sundays provides five hours between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

British Gas says customers have saved more than £50 million through PeakSave, with average household savings of about £30, based on figures up to 31 July 2026. Prepayment customers are not currently eligible for PeakSave tariffs.

2. Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy offers Saving Sessions through its Octoplus rewards programme. Power Down sessions encourage customers to reduce electricity use, while Power Up sessions reward increased consumption when more renewable electricity is available.

Weekend Happy Hours run until 1 November 2026. Customers can unlock a free hour of electricity by reducing consumption during two Power Down sessions. The offer requires a working smart meter, Octoplus membership, and participation in Saving Sessions. Free electricity is capped at 16kWh, while the standing charge still applies.

3. ScottishPower

ScottishPower's Power Saver allows eligible customers to select eight one-hour periods each week for discounted electricity. The discount is either 50% or 20%, depending on the selected slots. Customers who do not choose their own periods can receive half-price electricity between midday and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Participants need an online account and a communicating smart meter. They must also consent to sharing half-hourly meter readings. Some tariffs are excluded.

4. EDF Energy

EDF's Weekend Saver rewards eligible customers for reducing electricity use between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. Customers can earn up to 25 hours of free electricity each month, depending on their peak-period consumption.

Those using 9% or less of their monthly electricity during the relevant peak hours can qualify for 25 free hours. Customers using 18% or more receive no free hours. The scheme requires a smart meter capable of sending readings every 30 minutes and is available through EDF's Flextras programme.

5. OVO Energy

OVO's Power Move scheme rewards customers with points for shifting electricity use into off-peak periods. Under terms applying from 1 October 2026, customers can earn points if at least 85% of their monthly electricity consumption falls into qualifying off-peak periods. Customers must join OVO's Beyond programme. Points are added to the rewards wallet and can be redeemed through its Rewards Centre.

6. Utilita

Utilita customers can participate in Power Payback, which uses smart-meter data to measure changes in electricity consumption during selected events. Customers receive notifications before events and can earn rewards by reducing electricity use compared with their normal consumption. The reward varies according to the event and the customer's performance.

Who Can Qualify?

Eligibility differs between schemes, so having a smart meter does not automatically mean a household qualifies.

British Gas requires an eligible electricity account and compatible smart meter. Octopus requires Octoplus membership and participation in Saving Sessions for Weekend Happy Hours. ScottishPower requires an online account, communicating smart meter and consent to half-hourly data sharing. EDF requires a compatible smart meter, while OVO customers must join Beyond and meet the Power Move conditions.

The potential benefit also varies. Some schemes cut electricity prices at specific times, while others offer free electricity, points or financial rewards. For households trying to manage energy costs this winter, these schemes could provide another way to reduce bills by changing when electricity is used. The actual benefit will depend on consumption, tariff, and eligibility.