All the energy firms giving away free electricity and gas TOMORROW
FAMILIES are in for a toasty Christmas as several energy providers are set to give away free electricity and gas on December 25.
Suppliers including E.ON Next, Scottish Gas and EDF have confirmed that they won’t charge for electricity on Christmas Day this year.
Some companies are going even further and giving their customers free energy across multiple days.
For instance, E.ON Next waives its charges (including the daily standing charge) from December 24-26, helping to cut the cost of Christmas.
Each provider has different criteria for its free Christmas energy deal, but most need you to have a smart meter.
That includes the E.ON Next deal, which also says that customers need to be signed up for the Next Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff.
This holiday deal is designed to help households reduce their energy costs during a time of high usage.
To qualify, customers must have a smart meter installed, as it allows E.ON Next to track electricity usage during the promotional period.
This initiative is part of E.ON Next’s broader effort to support energy affordability and sustainability.
By offering free energy during the holidays, the company aims to ease financial burdens for customers while promoting smart energy usage practices.
The deal is especially beneficial for families who rely on electricity-intensive appliances like ovens, heating, and lights during festive celebrations.
For more information and to ensure you’re eligible, contact E.ON Next’s customer service or visit their website to stay updated on holiday offers.
EDF is another provider offering some of its customers a festive bargain. Anyone who is signed up to the Sunday Saver Challenge will get 8 hours of fee-free electricity on Christmas Day.
The scheme gives customers free electricity on Sundays if they stick to off-peak times during the week.
However, it will be expanded on December 25, meaning everyone will get the free electricity, even if they use energy during peak hours the week before.
You needed to have signed up to the scheme by December 1 to qualify and you must have a smart meter.
British Gas is offering half-price electricity on Christmas Day 2024 as part of its PeakSave scheme.
This initiative was available to both new and existing PeakSave customers who have a smart meter and opted into half-hourly readings.
The savings will be applied as a credit on the customer’s energy bill.
To qualify, customers needed to sign up for PeakSave by December 15.
The half-price rate will apply to all electricity used on Christmas Day between 11am and 4pm, with no need to adjust your daily routines.
You can boost savings by shifting high-energy tasks, like cooking the turkey, running dishwashers or washing machines, and putting the heating on to the discounted hours
For further information visit the British Gas website or contact customer service.
Octopus Energy customers who are signed up to “Octoplus” get access to free energy sessions when wholesale prices are below zero. Each session lasts an hour.
Customers with smart meters get an alert the day before a session so that they know when it’s happening. Prepayment smart meter customers are also eligible.
There is no specific sign-up process for Christmas-related free sessions, as they depend on wholesale market conditions.
If you’re signed up, make sure you use the time wisely, for instance to charge devices, run the dishwasher, whack the heating up and do some laundry.
Energy beyond your normal usage is then credited back to your account.
Ovo Energy provides a programme that rewards customers for lowering their energy usage during peak hours.
The Power Move scheme offers up to £10 per month to customers who limit their electricity usage to 8.5% or less of their total household consumption between 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.
Great ways to make this happen include running the dishwasher or washing machine in the morning or waiting until after 9pm to watch TV.
It would also help to set your heating to run outside of those peak hours.
Scottish Gas says that customers can get half-price electricity on Saturdays and Sundays between 11-4pm.
However, because Christmas falls mid-week this year, that means you won’t save money on the day itself.
What to do if your supplier doesn’t have a festive offer
If your energy supplier isn’t offering these discounts or you’re unsure about eligibility, get in touch with customer services.
Some providers may have other seasonal help or offers available.
It’s probably also a good time to do a comparison to make sure you’re on the cheapest tariff available.
While a Christmas saving is a nice bonus, it’s better to get the best price year-round.
You should also check to see that you’re getting all the benefits you should be entitled to. Read our guide to see what’s available.
Finally, make sure you’re being as energy-efficient as possible, as even relatively small changes can save you hundreds of pounds.
This article has some great hacks that will save the average household £700 a year to get you started.
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.