Households across the United Kingdom are being offered a festive financial boost with the chance to claim up to £10 for free electricity to use on Christmas Day. The time-limited offer from comparison service Uswitch requires action before a key deadline.
How to Secure Your Christmas Energy Refund
To benefit from this seasonal scheme, Brits must sign up to the Power Hours initiative via the Uswitch app before December 21. The process is designed for homes with a smart meter. Participants need to download the app, connect it to their meter, and either sign up for Power Hours or log in and activate the special Christmas offer if they are already members.
Uswitch will then track electricity consumption between 8am and 4pm on December 25. The company has pledged to refund the cost of all power used during that eight-hour window, capped at a maximum of £10. This provides a direct discount on a future bill for energy used while cooking the Christmas dinner or powering festive lights.
Energy Bill Rise Looms Alongside Festive Offer
This promotional gesture arrives as consumers face impending increases in their energy costs. Regulator Ofgem has approved a £28 billion initial investment to upgrade the UK's national energy infrastructure. This necessary modernisation is expected to add an average of £108 to annual household bills to fund the work.
Ofgem's Chief Executive, Jonathan Brearley, explained the rationale behind the investment. He stated it would support the transition to new energy sources and help insulate the economy from volatile gas prices. However, he emphasised that "this is not investment at any price" and committed to holding network companies accountable for delivering value and efficiency.
Act Before the Deadline to Claim
The key takeaway for consumers is the urgency of the situation. The free electricity offer for Christmas Day is only available to those who register by December 21. It represents a small but welcome respite during an expensive time of year, particularly against the backdrop of confirmed broader price rises for essential infrastructure.
For eligible households with a smart meter, taking a few minutes to engage with the Uswitch app could result in a tangible saving. This offer underscores the growing role of smart meter technology in enabling targeted consumer incentives and promotions from energy service providers.
