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Big energy firm with 7million customers to offer half price electricity tonight
Plus, we've explained how thousands can get free electricity over Christmas
A BIG energy firm with seven million customers is offering thousands half price electricity this evening.
British Gas customers can get the discounted energy between 9pm and 11pm tonight.
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The offer is available to new and existing British Gas customers on any tariff, but you will need a smart meter.
It's part of the suppliers popular Peak Save scheme which usually rewards customers for shifting their usage to off-peak times.
However, tonight's offer is known as a Green Flex event, which rewards customers who opt in, with half price electricity when there's surplus renewable energy available in the grid.
British Gas said it has emailed customers eligible to take part, and you will need to click a link and opt in to do so.
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After each event, the supplier will credit half of what you spent back to your account and the payment will show up as 'PeakSave Green Flex Credit' on your next bill or online statement.
This credit will normally appear within two weeks of each event ending.
As is always the case with these schemes, there is no obligation to change your normal routine.
However, the more you can shift regular activities such as washing, cleaning or cooking, the more you could save more off energy bills.
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You can find out more about the scheme by visiting britishgas.co.uk/energy/peak-save/green-flex.html.
Households can also continue to get half-price electricity on Sundays up until Christmas through British Gas' PeakSave Sundays scheme.
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Plus, British Gas is offering the discounted energy on Christmas Day and Boxing Day between 11am and 4pm.
However, the deadline to have signed up for this offer ended on December 15.
It comes after British Gas offered customers half-price electricity on Christmas Day last year, which the firm says saw customers earn a total of £1.4million in credit.
Catherine O'Kelly, managing director of British Gas Energy, said: "This festive season we wanted to give back to our customers once again.
"We know that so many of them appreciated the half price
days last Christmas whilst they were spending more time at home with loved ones."
FREE ELECTRICITY OVER CHRISTMAS
British Gas is not the only firm to be offering customers half-price electric this year either.
E.ON Next is giving thousands of customers free electricity over three days this Christmas.
The firm exclusively revealed to The Sun households can get the discounted energy on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Standing charges will also be waived during the three-day period.
However, to participate in E.ON Next's scheme, customers must be signed up for the supplier's Next Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff.
You can sign up at eonnext.com.
EDF has also launched a similar offer, with customers able to get money off their bills on Christmas Day.
Households who sign up for the supplier's Sunday Saver Challenge will get eight hours of free power on December 25.
You will need to sign up by December 1 though otherwise you'll miss out.
You can do this by visiting edfenergy.com/energy-efficiency/sunday-saver-challenge.
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 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.
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.
What other saver schemes do energy firms offer?
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy customers who are signed up for 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.
Scottish Power
Scottish Power recently launched half-price electricity for households on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 4pm.
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The firm is making price cuts to encourage households to use less energy at peak times and reduce demand on the grid.
You can find out more about the scheme by visiting scottishpower.co.uk/power-saver.
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