Yahoo News Octopus Energy giving free electricity at set hours and there's a £40 cashback switching deal
Octopus Energy customers can benefit from one hour of unlimited energy use as the company strives to get users pumping energy when it's at its most plentiful. Customers who sign up to the provider's Octoplus rewards scheme can get free energy at certain super-green times "when the sun shines and the wind blows".
The idea is that users will maximise their energy use at the time of day when solar power is at its peak, to save non-renewable energy being used later in the day.
Octopus customers who sign up will receive an email the day before the free electricity session, which is usually a one-hour slot between 1pm and 2pm. When the time comes, they will be able to maximise their energy use - doing the vacuuming, switching on the dishwasher or washing machine, running a heat pump or immersion heater, all while being charged their standard hourly rate.
Within a week of the session, Octopus will email customers to let you know how much extra power they used compared to normal. Within two weeks, they will pay the amount owed into the customers' account as a bill credit. Those who sign up to the Octoplus scheme must have a smart meter and pay by Direct Debit or smart prepay.
Free electricity hours are based on dips in the market, which according to Octopus, is changing all the time and relatively unpredictable, but the company estimates there could be two or three free energy hours before the start of winter.
If you are not already an Octopus customer, Quidco allows customers to receive £40 cashback to switch to another provider. To claim the money, filled out the enquiry form on Quidco's website to see what you could save.
There are other perks of being on the Octoplus scheme, which have been estimated to add up to £270 each year. They include one free coffee a week from Greggs, discounted Odeon Cinema tickets, plus days out at National Trust sites. Customers can also receive extra points for friend referrals and solar referrals, as well as exclusive turbo-charged spins of the wheel.
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