Selected British Gas customers could save while they use this summer

British Gas is offering customers the opportunity to get half-price electricity every Sunday this summer, helping thousands of households save money - the only snag is that you’ll have to be selected and schedule when you use your electricity.

The UK’s largest energy supplier is to charge customers who have signed up to its PeakSave scheme 50% less for electricity used between 11am and 4pm on Sundays from 25 July until 24 September.

About 200,000 British Gas customers have already signed up to the scheme, which was launched last December. But the supplier is hoping another 200,000 customers will join over the summer.

Customers signed up the scheme are expected to save £3 million this summer – or almost £30 per household.

There’s still time to sign up if you haven’t already. Visit www.britishgas.co.uk to register your interest and the supplier will then get back 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.

How does the PeakSave scheme work?

Once you’ve been accepted onto the scheme, you can use as much electricity as you want during the five-hour window.

And the end of every Sunday, British Gas will credit half of what you’ve spent back to your account. The payment will show up as “PeakSaver Credit” on your bill or online statement.

It’s worth noting that to join the PeakSave scheme you’ll need to have a smart meter fitted.

How much will I save?

British Gas estimates customers signing up to Summer Sundays will save nearly £30 in 14 weeks across eight activities. The full list of estimated savings on regular activities includes:

• Watching TV - £1.27
• Drinking 10 x cups of tea or coffee – 99p
• Two hours using electric oven - £8.90
• One hour using electric hob - £4.24
• One hour spent hoovering - £2.97
• One hour using washing machine – £4.52
• One hour using tumble dryer - £5.37
• Two hours playing video games – 99p

 

How else can I save money on my energy bills?

There are several ways to reduce the cost of your energy bills, even if you’re not selected for the PeakSaver scheme.

 

- Switch off standby

You can save around £65 a year just by turning your appliances off standby mode. Almost all appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming.

You may want to get a standby saver or smart plug which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go.

- Draft proof windows and doors

Unless your home is new, you will lose some heat through drafts around doors and windows, gaps in the floor or through the chimney.

Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £223 but can save around £125 a year on energy bills. DIT draught proofing can be even cheaper.

- Turn off lights

Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save around £25 a year on your energy bill.

Replacing all the lights in your home with LED blubs could also help to save more.

- Careful with your washing

You can save around £34 a year just by using your washing machine more carefully. E.g., wash clothes on a 30-degress cycle instead of high temperatures or reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.

- Avoid the tumble dryer

Dry your clothes on racks or radiators when the weather is bad and dry outside when the weather is good. This could save a whopping £70 a year.

- Spend less time in the shower

Keeping your shower to 4 minutes could save a typical household £95 a year.

- Swop your bath for a shower

While it’s lovely to have a long, hot soak, swapping one bath a week for a shower could save £20 a year.

- Be smart in the kitchen 

Kettles are one of the most used appliances in the kitchen. Many of us are guilty of boiling them with more water than we need. Avoid overfilling the kettle and save £13 a year.

You could also consider fitting an aerator onto you existing tap to reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting how it washes. An aerator is a small gadget with tiny holes that attaches to the spout of taps. They are cheap and easy to install and could provide a £30 saving a year.

- Fill your dishwasher

Only run your dishwasher when its full to reduce the amount of water you use. Reducing your dishwasher usage by one cycle per week could save £17.

- Insulate your home  

Effective insulation of your hot water cylinder is important. Even if you have spray foam or a loose 25mm jacket, you could save £70 a year just by increasing its insulation to an 80 mm thick British standard jacket. Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators is a quick and easy way to save money on energy bills.