Free electricity offers
What is free electricity?
We have different free electricity offers in our app that pay you back for the electricity you use during a booked time slot.
It's one of the ways to earn through Power Hours, our app-exclusive energy scheme.
You can earn hours by connecting your smart meter to the app or completing other actions.
Our offers are open to anyone with a compatible smart meter, but eligibility for each offer varies so check the app for details.
How do I use my hours?
Once you’ve banked hours, you can book a 5-hour weekend time slot in the app to use them. We'll pay you back for the electricity you use during that slot.
If you have more than 5 hours to redeem, your next weekend slot will be available to book after the previous one finishes. Check back on Monday to book your next slot.
How much can I get paid back?
Up to £5 per slot. Any usage over that will not be paid back in your earnings.
Do my hours expire?
Yes, hours need to be booked into a slot before they expire. You'll find your expiry date in the app, alongside your hours balance.
Do I still have to pay my energy bill?
Yes, these offers do not change your supplier's energy bill. Think of it as being paid back for the electricity you used.
You'll earn cash in the app, ready to withdraw to your bank account, but you'll still pay your supplier for the electricity used during your booked slot.
More answers
Why does Uswitch offer free electricity?
We want to help keep your energy bills as low as possible, so we’re offering new ways to earn free electricity hours through our app.
It's just one of the ways we're looking to put more cash back into your pocket.
Who can sign up?
Our offers are open to anyone with a compatible smart meter, no matter who their energy supplier is.
How do I connect my smart meter?
Connecting your smart meter is easy, secure and takes less than 2 minutes.
Use the code from your smart meter’s in-home display unit, or connect using your bank card number to instantly access Power Hours and other great offers and insights. Check out our smart meter connection guide for step-by-step instructions.
How do you calculate my earnings?
We use your smart meter data to work out how much electricity you used during your booked slot, then pair that with your plan's unit rates to calculate your earnings.
If your plan isn't listed, we'll use your supplier's SVT rates instead.
If you've switched supplier or plan, make sure the app shows the right details for accurate earnings.
We'll add your earnings to your total, ready to withdraw straight to your bank.
Why are my earnings still calculating?
Once your slot ends, we need to get your smart meter data and calculate your earnings. This can take a few days.
If we can't get enough smart meter readings or plan data, either due to technical issues or gaps in your data, we'll use average earnings to calculate your total instead.
When can I withdraw my earnings?
Once approved, your earnings become available to withdraw from the app. You'll have 90 days to withdraw before they expire.
Withdrawal terms apply, so check the app for the exact timeframe.
Why are my results different from my energy insights in the app?
We're always improving the app. Free electricity offers use a more accurate calculation method than the energy insights graph, which we haven't updated yet, so the numbers may differ slightly depending on when each is produced. Whatever result you get is final.
Why do I need to confirm my energy plan?
Confirming your plan makes sure we calculate your earnings using the right rates.
If you don't confirm in time, we'll use the plan we have on file. If there isn't one, we'll default to your supplier's Standard Variable Tariff, or the average Ofgem price cap if we don't have a supplier on record.
What if my energy plan isn't listed?
Suppliers don't always share rates with us for less common tariffs, like time-of-use, EV or tracker plans.
If you can't find yours, select 'My plan isn't listed'. We'll default you to your supplier's Standard Variable Tariff to calculate your usage.
We know the rates might not match exactly, but we'd rather you take part than miss out completely. We’re always looking for ways to improve this.
What's the difference between free electricity and Reduce & Earn?
Both are ways to earn through Power Hours.
Free electricity pays you back for electricity you use during a slot you book.
Reduce & Earn, part of NESO's Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), pays you back for using less electricity during pre-set sessions.
You can take part in free electricity offers alongside another provider's energy saving scheme. But signing up to Power Hours also enrols you in Reduce & Earn, and you can only be registered with one NESO DFS scheme at a time.
