App lets homes clock up credits if they cut power at peak times

Any household with a smart meter can now take part in the National Grid energy-saving scheme through a mobile app — regardless of their supplier.

Households get paid for reducing their energy use at peak times through the Demand Flexibility Service, operated by the Electricity System Operator (ESO) — a branch of National Grid.

Previously, customers have had to sign up with their supplier, with major firms such as British Gas, Eon, EDF and Octopus Energy launching their own schemes.

Credits: Households get paid for reducing energy use at peak times through the Demand Flexibility Service, operated by the Electricity System Operator – a branch of National Grid

But now anyone with a smart meter can be rewarded with Utrack Money Back, a free mobile app run by comparison site Uswitch. The app promises to pay users the full payment awarded by National Grid — about £3 for every kWh saved.

Households can use Utrack to monitor how much they cut down compared with their typical usage during the sessions.

Alongside test events, National Grid triggered two live events last month where customers delayed using items such as their oven, dishwasher or washing machine.

Up to a million households participated in the first event, and received credits towards their bills totalling more than £2 million.

The Demand Flexibility Service aims to save energy across Britain without resorting to blackouts.

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