Uswitch's Demand Flexibility Service Returns on 1 November with Utrack Money Back
The National Grid ESO scheme that helps households save money by reducing their electricity consumption at peak usage times returns on 1 November
Households can sign up for Utrack Money Back, which offers potential savings to anyone with a smart meter display unit who opts in, no matter who their supplier is
Uswitch will pass on the full payment awarded by the National Grid directly to Utrack Money Back participants
App users with a smart meter home display unit could get paid around £3 for every kWh saved during the Money Back sessions
To take part, download Utrack by Uswitch, connect your smart meter and turn on push notifications to be alerted when a session is due to start.
Households are being encouraged to sign up today for free mobile app Utrack ahead of the National Grid ESO Demand Flexibility Service resuming on 1 November, with energy customers set to be paid for reducing their electricity use during certain peak hours.
The Demand Flexibility Service, which runs from 1 November 2023 until the end of March 2024, rewards households who reduce their electricity use at key times in a bid to cut pressure on the grid and prevent blackouts.
The Utrack Money Back scheme allows anyone with a smart meter to take part, no matter who your electricity provider is.
Participants could earn more with Utrack, as it will pass on the full payment awarded by the National Grid to ensure users see the full benefit.
Households can take part by downloading the Utrack app, linking it to their smart meter and signing up for the Utrack Money Back scheme, which pays users around £3 for every kWh saved - the full payment incentive offered by the National Grid. Each Demand Session could offer a different level of payment, but this will be communicated to users before they opt in.
Uswitch expects that there will be at least two sessions a month when users are asked to reduce their electricity use and make Money Back. As the sessions are decided at short notice by the National Grid, households interested in taking part are advised to sign up for both email and push notifications within the Utrack app to be alerted ahead of a Money Back session.
Those taking part will be asked to reduce their electricity usage in a safe and manageable way, such as by switching off appliances not in use, and also adapting their routine, for example delaying cooking a meal or switching on a dishwasher.
Households can use Utrack to monitor how much they have reduced their electricity usage compared to their typical usage. The app will calculate household earnings throughout the sessions, and once the current scheme has ended (after 31st March 2024), users will be paid, in full, the amount of money they were able to save. Users will also have the option to donate their earnings to charity.
Those who wish to take part in a National Grid ESO Demand Flexibility Service session can only opt in to one scheme at a time. Therefore, anyone wanting to take part in Money Back will need to opt out of existing schemes provided by other apps or services, or they may be disqualified from taking part.
People can sign up now by downloading the free mobile app Utrack and clicking on the ‘Money Back’ tab. Users will also need to opt into individual sessions, so it’s advised to ensure push notifications are switched on.
Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “We launched Utrack and the Utrack Money Back service to help households understand their energy usage and make the right choices for their home, as well as to cut back on energy consumption in a safe and manageable way.
“Households have changed their energy habits over the past few years, and the National Grid is rewarding them for their efforts.
“It’s important to sign up with Utrack as soon as possible so you can take part in every session and start saving.
“Anyone with a smart meter display unit can take part thanks to Utrack, no matter who their energy provider is. We’re also passing on the full savings for those who qualify.”
Track your energy usage with Utrack by Uswitch here.
Notes
Utrack Money Back
Frequently Asked Questions
Terms of Service
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.