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Get paid to cut your energy use
How to earn bill credit or shopping vouchers by using less electricity
Updated 24 September 2024
Energy suppliers are relaunching schemes that pay customers to cut their electricity use at peak times this winter, as part of an ongoing 'demand flexibility service' trial by the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO). This guide explains how these initiatives work, who's eligible and how you can sign up.
The National Grid's 'demand flexibility service' trial for 2023/24 has now ended. The information in this guide is based on last winter's scheme. We we will update this guide when we have details for the 2024/25 scheme.
Some of the supplier schemes are still running, so do check the table below for more details.
What are these energy use-cutting schemes about?
These schemes are mainly part of a wider initiative by the National Grid ESO, the body responsible for transporting electricity around England, Scotland and Wales and keeping homes and businesses powered. Called the 'demand flexibility service', it aims to balance supply and demand, reduce the need to fire up fossil-fuel plants and, in the worst case scenario, avoid power cuts.
During specified use-cutting events, the ESO will pay participating suppliers and third-party providers a certain amount for each unit (kilowatt hour) of electricity saved by any of their users signed up to the schemes. Suppliers and providers then pass on some or all of this payment to households – we've more details on this in the firm-by-firm tables below.
A trial ran in winter 2022/23, with participating energy suppliers running their own schemes that gave customers rewards for cutting their electricity usage. We surveyed over 3,000 MoneySavers who took part in the trial, and 78% said that they would sign up again – so we put together this guide to give you all the details.
Six energy reward scheme need-to-knows
While the exact details of each supplier's scheme can vary, some elements are common to all of them. Here's what you need to know...
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You need a working smart meter
Your electricity smart meter must be able to send readings to your supplier automatically (in other words, it can't be in 'dumb' mode).
Plus you'll need to allow your supplier to access your meter readings every half hour – the default is monthly or daily. This is so your provider can verify that you've reduced your usage during the relevant times.
You may already have half-hourly readings set up (for example, if you took part in last winter's schemes or you like to keep a close eye on your usage). If not, you can normally do this as part of the registration process when you join a use-cutting scheme. Alternatively, you should be able to enable half-hourly readings in your online energy account or by contacting your supplier.
Don't have smart meters? See our Smart meters guide for more info on what they are, how they work and whether you should get one.
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You'll have to cut your electricity usage at peak times on certain days
There will be at least 12 use-cutting events before this winter's scheme ends in March 2024. The exact dates and times of these events don't get announced very far in advance – this is deliberate, as the National Grid ESO wants to test how responsive and effective the scheme is at short notice.
That said, events are most likely to take place on weekday evenings at peak times, which tends to be between around 4pm and 7pm. We also know that each of these 12 events will last for one hour.
Depending on the needs of the grid, there may be more events throughout the winter, which could last longer. For example, there was a 90-minute event between 4.30pm and 6pm on 1 December, which National Grid ESO said was needed to "maintain the buffer of spare capacity" in the network on that day. How much do you have to cut your usage by?
Generally, there isn't a set amount you need to reduce your usage by. Instead, the more electricity you save, the more you earn in rewards.
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The amount you could earn varies – but don't expect £100s
It's difficult to put a precise number on how much you could earn over the course of the winter, as there are several factors at play...
- Firstly, the amount paid by the National Grid ESO for each event could vary. For the first six use-cutting events, the ESO is paying energy suppliers and third-party providers at least £3 per unit (kilowatt hour) of electricity saved – but this could change in future.
- Secondly, energy suppliers and third-party providers can choose how much of the ESO payment to pass on to users. Most are passing on at least 75%, with some passing on the full amount.
- Finally, the number of events taking place will also affect your earnings. And the number of events will depend on external factors such as the weather, how much pressure there is on the grid, and any supply issues.
One supplier, EDF, has published the latest statistics on its scheme, which shows customers who have participated in all nine events so far have earned on average £12.56, with the top earner making a massive £228.
In our survey of over 3,000 people who took part in last winter's schemes, most (59%) told us they earned between £5 and £20 in total, with just 16% earning more than £20.
Another supplier, Utilita, says it expects users to earn an average of £31.75 this winter – this strikes us as a more realistic figure, based on what MoneySavers have reported.
- Firstly, the amount paid by the National Grid ESO for each event could vary. For the first six use-cutting events, the ESO is paying energy suppliers and third-party providers at least £3 per unit (kilowatt hour) of electricity saved – but this could change in future.
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You'll need to opt in to each use-cutting event separately
This is key. After joining a scheme, you'll be notified about individual events as they come up, and you'll need to opt in to each one separately. If you don't, you won't earn any rewards – even if you reduce your electricity consumption during that period. You'll normally be notified of the events by email, text message or smartphone app notification (depending on the provider you're with).
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On prepay? Your choice of scheme is more limited
Most energy supplier schemes are unfortunately not available if you're on a prepayment (pay-as-you-go) electricity meter. However, the schemes from Good Energy, Scottish Power and Utilita are open to their prepay customers. In addition, a number of third-party apps let prepay users take part, regardless of which supplier they're with. -
Don't sign up to more than one use-cutting scheme at the same time
While you can only sign up direct with one energy supplier, it is possible to sign up to multiple third-party providers via the apps below. And while it may be tempting to try to maximise your rewards by signing up with more than one, this is against the National Grid ESO's rules, which limit you to one scheme per household.
Sign up to multiple schemes and you risk being cut off from all of them – so it's best to stick to one.
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Ready to get started? First check if your energy supplier is taking part
Going via your energy firm is usually the easiest way to take part in a use-cutting scheme – you may already have an invite from your supplier in your inbox.
Major suppliers offering incentives for cutting usage this winter
| Supplier | Scheme details |
 British Gas currently has two active schemes – you can take part in both. |
1. British Gas 'PeakSave Winter' – linked to National Grid ESO - How much is it paying? 100% of what it gets from National Grid ESO – currently £3 per unit (kilowatt hour, or kWh) saved, and at least £1 per event. - How are rewards paid? As credit on your bill. - Can smart prepay customers take part? Not currently (but may be able to in future).
Here, you can get 50% off each unit of electricity you use when it's very sunny or windy and there is lots of renewable energy available. Customers will be emailed the day before or on the morning of an event, and events will last one or two hours. You will need to opt in to take part. Your normal tariff applies outside the discount period. |
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- How much is it paying? 100% of what it gets from National Grid ESO – currently £3 per unit (kilowatt hour, or kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As credit on your bill. - Can smart prepay customers take part? Yes. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email. |
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1. EDF 'Beat the Peak' - How are rewards paid? As bill credit. - Can smart prepay customers take part? Yes. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email.
2. EDF 'Sundays Saver challenge' - How are rewards paid? As bill credit. - Can smart prepay customers take part? Yes. - How do you join? Go to Energy Hub in MyAccount each month to sign up to the next challenge. |
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- How much is it paying? 85% of National Grid ESO incentive – currently £2.55 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As bill credit (or meter credit if you're on prepay). - Can smart prepay customers take part? Yes. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email once the scheme launches later this month. |
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1. Octopus Energy 'Octoplus' Savings Sessions - linked to National Grid ESO
2. Octopus Energy 'Free electricity' - not linked to National Grid ESO - Can smart prepay customers take part? No. |
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- How much is it paying? 100% of National Grid ESO incentive – currently £3 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As bill credit. - Can smart prepay customers take part? No. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email. |
 Ovo currently has two active schemes – you can take part in both. |
1. Ovo 'Power Move Plus' – linked to National Grid ESO - How are rewards paid? As bill credit. - Can smart prepay customers take part? No. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email.
2. Ovo 'Power Move' – not linked to National Grid ESO
Power Move is Ovo's year-round scheme, which lets you earn money off your bill by lowering your average electricity use during peak hours. To be able to take part, you need to sign up to Ovo Beyond, which requires customers to pay via Direct Debit and have a smart meter. Economy 7 and Economy 10 customers are not longer eligible. |
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- How much is it paying? Up to 90% of National Grid ESO incentive – currently around £2.70 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As points that you can put towards a voucher for retailers such as Amazon, Asda, Costa and Tesco. - Can smart prepay customers take part? Yes. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email. |
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Utilita 'Power Payback' – prepay users only
- How much is it paying? At least 75% of National Grid ESO incentive – likely around £2.25 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As credit to your meter. - Can smart prepay customers take part? Yes – this scheme is available to prepay customers exclusively. - How do you join? By following the link in your invitation email. |
Can't or don't want to join your supplier's scheme? There is an alternative
If you haven't been invited to your supplier's scheme, or it doesn't offer a good one, there's a range of third-party smartphone apps you can use instead. These connect to your smart meter, get the money from the National Grid ESO, and pass some or all of it on to you.
We've less feedback on these, but they could be a good option for some – and you can use them regardless of which energy supplier you're with.
Third-party smartphone apps offering incentives for cutting usage this winter
| App & how to get it | Scheme details |
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- How much is it paying? At least 90% of what it gets from National Grid ESO – likely around £2.70 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As points you can put towards a voucher for retailers such as Amazon, Costa and Tesco (within 30 days of each event). Users are also entered into monthly prize draws to win bonus points. - Can prepay customers take part? Yes. - Other app features: Track your energy usage and take part in year-round 'equivents' where you can win rewards for cutting down your electricity usage during peak times. |
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- How much is it paying? At least 80% of National Grid ESO incentive – likely around £2.40 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? By PayPal at the end of the scheme. - Can prepay customers take part? Yes. - Other app features: Track your energy usage, get alerts to help you achieve your consumption goals and find green energy tariffs. |
Ivie |
- How much is it paying? It's not exactly. Instead, you earn points which you can redeem for entries into various prize draws (such as a weekly raffle for a £25 Amazon voucher or monthly prizes worth up to £1,000). The firm says it aims to invest 85% of the amount paid by the National Grid ESO into the value of the prizes offered. - Can prepay customers take part? Yes. - Other app features: Track your energy usage and get personalised energy-saving tips, reports and challenges. |
Loop Energy |
- How much is it paying? For the initial six events this winter, it expects to pay around £2.50 per unit (kWh) saved. The exact amount could vary for other events, though it should be at least 80% of what Loop gets from National Grid ESO. - How are rewards paid? Through gift cards at the end of the scheme (by May 2024). We're checking what retailers are available and will update this when we know more. - Can prepay customers take part? Yes. - Other app features: Track your energy usage, calculate your carbon emissions and see how much you could save with solar panels. |
uSwitch |
- How much is it paying? 100% of National Grid ESO incentive – currently £3 per unit (kWh) saved. - How are rewards paid? As a one-off payment when the scheme ends on 31 March 2024. The app will request your bank details to make a bank transfer – you will have one month to provide these or your earnings may be donated to charity. - Can prepay customers take part? Yes. - Other app features: Track your energy usage, check how energy efficient your home is and compare broadband and mobile deals.
Users who connect their smart meter to the app for the first time can get a £10 bonus if you download the Uswitch app and link it to your smart meter by 31 December, and then join in one session of ‘Utrack Money Back’ before 31 January 2024. Read the full T&Cs. |
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