You can now save money or even earn rewards just by shifting some of your electricity use away from the busiest times of day. Usually, that means using a bit less electricity during the early evening peak, when demand on the grid is highest.

Here are three UK providers already doing this.

1. Octopus Energy — Saving Sessions

Octopus rewards customers with points and bill credit for reducing electricity use during peak-time “Saving Sessions”, and sometimes even offers free electricity when renewable generation is high.

One interesting thing about Octopus is that they sometimes encourage people to use more electricity when renewable energy is abundant, not just less during peak periods.

2. EDF — Sunday Saver

EDF’s Sunday Saver customers can earn free electricity on Sundays by reducing usage during weekday peak hours.

3. OVO Energy — Power Move

OVO’s Power Move encourages customers to move electricity use away from busy evening periods and towards times when the grid is cleaner. Rather than direct bill rewards, customers are entered into prize draws — including the chance to win free energy for a year.

What you need to participate:

• Be a customer of the energy provider offering the programme
• Have a smart meter that can send readings every 30 minutes
• Enrol in the programme through the provider’s app or website

These programmes are still evolving and can often change, so it’s always worth checking directly with the provider for the latest details.