Octopus Energy has introduced Power-ups, a way to get free electricity into your home. But who is eligible to join and how does it work?
![Octopus Power-up](https://www.householdmoneysaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/power-up-1024x338.png.webp)
Octopus Power-ups
Let’s be honest; if you were going to send a Christmas card to a company, energy providers would probably be very low on your list. Especially when you consider how crazy energy prices have been over the last couple of years and the profits these companies are making.
However, there’s the odd perk and tweak that can help cut your bills. For example, Octopus offers an Intelligent tariff, giving electric car users access to some very cheap rates at night. Plus, they offer Saving Sessions, which allow you to earn money if you can reduce your usage over a certain period.
And the latest perk on offer? Power-ups.
What’s a Power-up?
A Power-up is a period of time, usually one or two hours, where you can use as much electricity as you like, completely free.
Can anyone join?
To qualify, you will need to be:
- An Octopus Energy customer
- Have a smart meter fitted
- Live in a designated area – currently restricted to the South East and East
- Opt-in to Power-ups
How does it work?
Octopus will send you an email to let you know when an event is due to start. This is usually 24 hours beforehand but can be a lot less. Then, when the event starts, use as much electricity as you can.
You will be charged the normal rate for the electricity that you use during the Power-up, but you will receive a credit to your account within a few weeks of the event finishing.
Why are we being offered free electricity?
As you probably know, the UK has focused more on producing renewable energy. Which is great… in theory. However, creating electricity with wind and solar can be very unreliable. Much of the time, because of our weather, renewables won’t be enough to meet our needs. But on occasion, we will produce more than we need. That might sound good, but due to the lack of places to store this electricity, it will simply be wasted
So, Power-ups have been created in the hope that we will increase our usage when there is a surge in renewable energy production. The aim is, if we are all doing our washing, vacuuming, charging our cars etc. at that time, we won’t need to do it later when we have to rely on fossil fuels to produce the electricity.
Not only will it save us money, but it will also help the environment.
![Free electricity](https://www.householdmoneysaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Octopus-power-ups.png.webp)
How often will they happen?
So, this depends on the weather. Generally, if a sunny day is forecast, Octopus will schedule an event. But that’s not guaranteed. As I type this, it’s 20 degrees outside, bright sunshine and there’s no Power-up event on.
Only one of my Power-up invitations has been for a windy day.
The most Power-ups I’ve received in a week is three. Most events have taken place between 2 and 4 in the afternoon and on a weekday. However, I have had a couple of events running from 11 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. And one of these was on a Saturday.
How much can you save?
A two-hour time slot is pretty restrictive, especially during the middle of the day. However, I have managed to save an average of just over £4 per session. That’s by turning on the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher and charging my electric car.
![My Poweru-ps rewards](https://www.householdmoneysaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/power-up-rewards-.jpeg.webp)
How long will Octopus offer Power-ups?
There’s no set date for the Power-ups to finish. However, when the first one started in August 2023, Octopus did state that it would continue for at least one year.
What if you’re not a customer?
Never fear. As long as you’re not tied into a contract with your current energy provider, you can switch over to Octopus completely free.
Bear in mind that switching can take several weeks and you will need to install a smart meter if you don’t already have one. And check the unit rates before you switch. There’s no point in getting a couple of hours worth of free electricity if you’re paying more the rest of the time.
Don’t forget, new customers also get £50 credit using a referral code when they join.
Further reading
If you want to save money with Octopus, take a look at their Octoplus scheme.