British Gas customers offered half-price electricity on New Year’s Eve

If you’re a British Gas customer, you can get discounted energy between 11.30am and 1.30pm today.  

It doesn’t matter if you’re a new or existing customer, but you’ll need to have a smart meter.  

The offer is part of British Gas’s Peak Save scheme, which rewards customers if they shift their electricity usage to off-peak times.  

The scheme helps you save money while contributing to a greener, more sustainable energy system. 

What is off-peak electricity?  

You might be wondering, what exactly is off-peak electricity? Peak electricity refers to the times of day when electricity demand is highest, usually in the morning as you get ready for work or school and again in the evening when everyone returns home. 

Off-peak electricity, on the other hand, is during quieter periods when people tend to use less electricity, meaning the grid demand is lower. By using off-peak electricity, you could lower your energy bills while supporting a more sustainable energy system. 

The times for off-peak electricity can vary depending on your smart meter, but it’s typically a 7-hour window between 11pm and 8am.  

If you're unsure when your off-peak period starts, get in touch with your energy supplier to find out. 

Green Flex event 

Today’s offer is part of a Green Flex event from British Gas. It rewards customers who opt in with half price electricity when there's a surplus amount of renewable energy available in the grid. It’s a win-win situation, as you save money and help make the grid greener.  

After the event, British Gas will credit half of what you spent back to your account. The payment will show up as 'PeakSave Green Flex Credit' on your next bill or online statement. The credit normally appears within two weeks of the event.  

British Gas has emailed customers who are eligible to take part. There’s no obligation to opt into the scheme.  

Find out more about the PeakSave Green Flex scheme here.  

For more cost-cutting steps, check out our 50 energy saving tips.   

Need help with your energy bills? 

If you can’t afford your energy bills, the first thing to do is speak to your supplier. A lot of energy companies have schemes offering financial support to customers who are most in need. 

For more information on steps to take if you’ve fallen behind with your gas and electricity bill payments, read our guide on what to do about energy arrears.