Latest news with #LauraCourt-Jones
Business Mayor
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Huge energy firm with 7million customers giving out half price energy TOMORROW
A HUGE energy firm with 7million customers is giving out half price energy TOMORROW. British Gas is dishing out discounted energy in a flash deal that could see half price energy for a limited time. 1 British Gas is slashing energy prices tomorrow, for a limited time Credit: Getty The energy giant, which supplies more than 7million households, is launching its second Green Flex event of the month on Thursday 16 May, offering a two-hour window of cheaper power to eligible customers. From 1.30pm to 3.30pm, PeakSave customers will pay just half the usual rate for electricity, meaning you can get your laundry done, charge your tech, or fire up the air fryer for a fraction of the usual cost. But there's a catch, only those who've signed up to the PeakSave scheme will qualify. It's free to join, but you must be a British Gas customer with a smart meter already installed. The discount comes as blustery, sunny weather has caused a surge in renewable energy and British Gas is encouraging customers to take advantage of the greener, cheaper power. The supplier said: 'This is our second Green Flex event of the month and fourth of the year, helping customers make savings on their bills.' Those taking part will see the savings land as credit on their energy accounts. So far, more than 920,000 households have shared over £23million in PeakSave rewards. It's not just a one-off, either. PeakSave members already enjoy half-price electricity every Sunday from 11am to 4pm, without needing to opt in. B&M shopper rushes to buy energy-saving gadget scanning for £1 instead of £35 And if you do your household chores like vacuuming or cooking during the cheaper windows, you could see your monthly bill shrink even further. To sign up, log into your British Gas account online, head to the PeakSave section and register your interest. The company will notify you when new Green Flex events are about to go live. The scheme is part of a wider push across energy providers to encourage customers to shift usage outside of peak hours. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there. EDF offers free electricity on Sundays to customers who cut weekday peak usage, while OVO customers could pocket up to £2,000 in credits by switching to off-peak power. Scottish Power gives Power Saver members 50% off weekend electricity, and Next is handing out free electricity every Bank Holiday until 2026. Over at Octopus Energy, 'Saving Sessions' let customers earn bill credits when prices dip below zero often triggered by windy weather and excess grid power. With prices rising across the board, these schemes offer a rare chance to cut costs without cutting corners but you'll need to move fast. Tomorrow's half-price window is just two hours long, and you'll need to opt in before the deal kicks in.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge energy firm with 7million customers giving out half price energy TOMORROW
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE energy firm with 7million customers is giving out half price energy TOMORROW. British Gas is dishing out discounted energy in a flash deal that could see half price energy for a limited time. 1 British Gas is slashing energy prices tomorrow, for a limited time Credit: Getty The energy giant, which supplies more than 7million households, is launching its second Green Flex event of the month on Thursday 16 May, offering a two-hour window of cheaper power to eligible customers. From 1.30pm to 3.30pm, PeakSave customers will pay just half the usual rate for electricity, meaning you can get your laundry done, charge your tech, or fire up the air fryer for a fraction of the usual cost. But there's a catch, only those who've signed up to the PeakSave scheme will qualify. It's free to join, but you must be a British Gas customer with a smart meter already installed. The discount comes as blustery, sunny weather has caused a surge in renewable energy and British Gas is encouraging customers to take advantage of the greener, cheaper power. The supplier said: 'This is our second Green Flex event of the month and fourth of the year, helping customers make savings on their bills.' Those taking part will see the savings land as credit on their energy accounts. So far, more than 920,000 households have shared over £23million in PeakSave rewards. It's not just a one-off, either. PeakSave members already enjoy half-price electricity every Sunday from 11am to 4pm, without needing to opt in. B&M shopper rushes to buy energy-saving gadget scanning for £1 instead of £35 And if you do your household chores like vacuuming or cooking during the cheaper windows, you could see your monthly bill shrink even further. To sign up, log into your British Gas account online, head to the PeakSave section and register your interest. The company will notify you when new Green Flex events are about to go live. The scheme is part of a wider push across energy providers to encourage customers to shift usage outside of peak hours. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there. What are other companies offering? EDF EDF offers free electricity on Sundays to customers who cut weekday peak usage, while OVO customers could pocket up to £2,000 in credits by switching to off-peak power. Scottish Power Scottish Power gives Power Saver members 50% off weekend electricity, and Next is handing out free electricity every Bank Holiday until 2026. Octopus Energy Over at Octopus Energy, 'Saving Sessions' let customers earn bill credits when prices dip below zero often triggered by windy weather and excess grid power. With prices rising across the board, these schemes offer a rare chance to cut costs without cutting corners but you'll need to move fast. Tomorrow's half-price window is just two hours long, and you'll need to opt in before the deal kicks in.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major money-saver feature is CLOSING on popular home heating gadgets as users slam Google for ‘absolute let down' change
HOMEOWNERS are raging with Google after the company announced that a major money-saving feature will close down later this year. Google owns the hugely popular Nest brand, which makes products including smart thermostats and alarm systems. 2 The main appeal for such devices is that you can use them remotely with a smartphone. This can be a real money-saver for scheduling heating and turning it off remotely if you forget once you've left the house. But very soon the feature will be closed down entirely for several Nest thermostat models. The tech giant says it will be "transitioning away" from supporting three of its oldest devices. "As we look at what it takes to support your energy needs going forward, it has become increasingly challenging to continue to update these products given the early hardware," the firm said. "You will no longer be able to control them remotely from your phone or with Google Assistant, but can still adjust the temperature and modify schedules directly on the thermostat." The three models affected are: Support is due to be withdrawn on October 25. Other models will continue to work as normal. "What an absolute let down," one user wrote on Reddit in reaction to the news. "Google being Google. Never again will I buy anything from them again." Another wrote: "This makes me so mad. "Why is the world would I ever buy hardware from them again knowing they could turn around and do the same thing again?" Alongside the development, Google also announced that it will no longer launch new Nest thermostats in the UK going forward. "Heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes," the company explained. "The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen, 2015) and Nest Thermostat E (2018) will continue to be sold in Europe while current supplies last. "These models will continue to receive security updates and you can control them via the Nest and Home apps." 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Major money-saver feature is CLOSING on popular home heating gadgets as users slam Google for ‘absolute let down' change
HOMEOWNERS are raging with Google after the company announced that a major money-saving feature will close down later this year. Google owns the hugely popular Nest brand, which makes products including smart thermostats and alarm systems. Advertisement 2 Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen and 2nd gen affected Credit: Google 2 Google also announced that it will no longer launch new Nest thermostats in the UK Credit: Getty The main appeal for such devices is that you can use them remotely with a smartphone. This can be a real money-saver for scheduling heating and turning it off remotely if you forget once you've left the house. But very soon the feature will be closed down entirely for several The tech giant says it will be "transitioning away" from supporting three of its oldest devices. Advertisement Read more about Google "As we look at what it takes to support your energy needs going forward, it has become increasingly challenging to continue to update these products given the early hardware," the firm said. "You will no longer be able to control them remotely from your phone or with Google Assistant, but can still adjust the temperature and modify schedules directly on the thermostat." The three models affected are: Nest Learning Thermostat (1st generation, released in 2011) Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd generation, released in 2012) Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd generation, Europe version, released in 2014) Most read in Tech Live Blog Latest Support is due to be withdrawn on October 25. Advertisement Other models will continue to work as normal. How to tell if your Nest Thermostat is affected The Nest thermostats affected by the move all have smaller 1.8-inch screens compared to more recent models. "You can look at the display, the base, or in the Nest or Home app to find out which Nest thermostat you own," Google says. "What an absolute let down," one user wrote on Reddit in reaction to the news. "Google being Google. Never again will I buy anything from them again." Another wrote: "This makes me so mad. Advertisement "Why is the world would I ever buy hardware from them again knowing they could turn around and do the same thing again?" Alongside the development, Google also announced that it will no longer launch new Nest thermostats in the UK going forward. "Heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes," the company explained. "The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen, 2015) and Nest Thermostat E (2018) will continue to be sold in Europe while current supplies last. Advertisement "These models will continue to receive security updates and you can control them via the Nest and Home apps." 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Improper use of your washing machine might be costing you £500 a year as experts reveals 5 mistakes most Brits make
Scroll down for more tips on keeping your energy bills low SAVE UP Improper use of your washing machine might be costing you £500 a year as experts reveals 5 mistakes most Brits make A COMMON laundry mistake could be costing you money every time you turn on your machine. Experts have revealed the appliance errors which are racking up your household bills. 2 A money-saving expert shared his top tips for cutting down on your household bills (stock image) Credit: Getty Speaking to the Daily Express, one budgeting expert warned Brits to avoid "simple mistakes" that can add to their household bills. And as energy and water bills continued to increase, these tips can help you make significant savings. Matthew Sheeran from Money Wellness revealed millions of UK households could be "throwing away" up to £500 a year by using their appliances incorrectly. 'People are understandably focused on rising energy and water prices, but what many don't realise is that the way they use their appliances can be just as important," the pro said. "The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix - and the savings can really add up. "Small changes could put hundreds of pounds back in your pocket every year.' The expert shared that making small changes to your laundry process alone can save you a lot. Selecting too high of a temperature setting can drain your energy supply. The pro explained that washing your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius is just as effective as doing a 40 degree Celsius or 60degree cycle. A typical wash at 60 degree Celsius wash uses around 1.5 to 2 kWh of electricity, while a 30 degree Celsius wash uses only 0.5 to 0.7 kWh, the expert revealed. Savvy woman shares how she creates more drying space inside with £2.99 Home Bargains buy & it even works outside too Washing clothes at higher temperatures four times a week, could be costing you £50 extra every year. Overloading your washing machine is another common error when trying to save. While you may think heaping as much items into one load will help you cut down on costs, the opposite is true. If your machine's drum cannot rotate properly, your clothes do not get cleaned effectively. This puts extra strain on the appliance, which could potentially lead to more frequent repairs or a shorter lifespan. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there. An overloaded washing machine can increase energy consumption by up to 15%, resulting in you spending £30 extra annually. And households should also rethink how often they use their tumble dryers. A dryer can consume around 2.5 to 4.5 kWh per cycle, so using it frequently can "quickly add up" the expert said. Frequent use of a tumble dryer could add £150 or more to your annual household bills. He recommended air-drying clothes indoors or outdoors to save on energy costs. You can also be adding to your energy costs if you run your machine with the wrong detergent. 2 Overloading your washing machine can cost you more money in the long-run (stock image) Credit: Getty This can lead to residue buildup in your washing machine, which makes the appliance less efficient. You may end up having to run an extra cycle to clear it out, wasting up to £15 a year on extra detergent and energy. The expert advised using the correct amount of detergent and opting for an eco-friendly version. These are less likely to leave residue and are gentler on fabrics as well as performing well at lower temperatures, helping your machine run more smoothly. Finally, running your appliances during peak hours can increase your energy bills by 10 to 20%. Instead, use time-of-use tariffs to run your appliances, including your washing machine, during off-peak hours. This will save you money on your energy bills.
