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<\/p>\nTENS of thousands of households can get paid up to \u00a345 to use their energy at off-peak times this winter.<\/p>\n
Energy bills for the average family on a dual-fuel gas and electricity tariff currently stand at \u00a31,834 a year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
So you will want to do everything you can to cut back on costs and make your budget stretch.<\/p>\n
Luckily, there are two firms offering customers the chance to be paid to use energy at off-peak times.<\/p>\n
British Gas, which serves over 10million households, recently extended its PeakSave Sundays scheme until December 31.<\/p>\n
Customers can get a 50% discount on electricity used each Sunday between 11am and 4pm.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ovo Energy, with almost five million customers, is paying \u00a315 a month to billpayers if they reduce their usage at certain times.<\/p>\n Here's everything you need to know about the two schemes.<\/p>\n Thousands of British Gas customers can get paid to use their energy on Sundays through the firm's PeakSave scheme.<\/p>\n Between now and December 31, eligible customers can get a 50% discount on all electricity used between 11am and 4pm.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Demand for electricity is low on Sundays so the firm is encouraging families to use what they want during these hours rather than at peak times.<\/p>\n Hundreds of households have signed up for the scheme, which began on June 25, so far.<\/p>\n Anyone keen can register their interest via the British Gas website.<\/p>\n You just have to give your full name, email address and customer reference number.<\/p>\n British Gas will then be in touch if your application is successful.<\/p>\n You only have to sign up once and will be credited half of what you spend each Sunday back to your account.<\/p>\n It will show up as "PeakSave Credit" on your\u00a0bill\u00a0or online statement.<\/p>\n Of course, how much you could save through the scheme varies depending on what you use.<\/p>\n However, based on figures provided by British Gas for the average monthly cost of electricity used by a household of up to five people, you could save around \u00a320 between now and December 31.<\/p>\n It might not seem like a lot, but if you are someone who uses the bulk of your energy on a Sunday, you could save even more.<\/p>\n Ovo Energy is paying eligible households \u00a315 a month to reduce their energy consumption during peak times until December 31.<\/p>\n Those taking part in its Power Move scheme have to slash their usage between 4-7pm to less than 13.5%.<\/p>\n The average household uses 18% of its electricity at peak times, according to Ovo.<\/p>\n That means you shouldn't have to drop your usage too much to qualify for the \u00a315 payment.<\/p>\n You can sign up to the scheme via Ovo's website, but only if you pay for your energy monthly and are an on demand customer with a smart meter that sends half-hourly readings.<\/p>\n You can switch to half-hourly reads through your online account.<\/p>\n If you signed up now, you could get paid up to \u00a345 before the scheme closes at the end of the year.<\/p>\n If you're not with Ovo or British Gas, or are just looking for other ways to save money on your bills, you've got some options.<\/p>\n A number of firms offer customers grants worth up to \u00a31,500 if they're struggling to cover bills, including British Gas, Scottish Power and E.On.<\/p>\n But how much you can get will often depend on your circumstances and what firm you're with.<\/p>\n It's worth getting in touch with yours to see what help is available.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, you might be in line for\u00a0either or both cost of living payments\u00a0worth \u00a3599\u00a0or up to \u00a3300 – \u00a3899 in total.<\/p>\n Plus, it's worth looking into if you can get help via the\u00a0Household Support Fund (HSF), worth \u00a3842million.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/000-stores-across-europe-us-850488237-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>HEAT ME UP <\/span><\/p>\nLidl's winter gadget to avoid putting heating on is returning to shelves<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24437336-1697582024090.jpg\")
<\/picture>QUICK CASH <\/span><\/p>\nMartin Lewis warns millions could be owed \u00a31,000s from their energy provider<\/h3>\n
British Gas<\/h2>\n
Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/NEW-OFF-PLATFORM-TEMPLATE-2023-08-02T082033.286.webp?strip=all&w=300&h=192&crop=1\"\/)
<\/picture>LOVIN’ IT <\/span><\/p>\nMcDonald’s launches new burgers and McFlurries in huge menu shake-up today<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>SHUTTERS DOWN <\/span><\/p>\nMajor card chain suddenly closes store as 38 branches face being axed<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>QUICK CASH <\/span><\/p>\nMartin Lewis warns millions could be owed \u00a31,000s from their energy provider<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24436640-1697576330109.jpg\")
<\/picture>FESTIVE TREAT <\/span><\/p>\nShoppers have until tomorrow to claim Tesco Christmas clubcard bonus<\/h3>\n
Ovo Energy<\/h2>\n
How else to save money on energy bills<\/h2>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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