A MAJOR energy firm is launching a new loyalty scheme - rewarding millions of customers for using less electricity at peak times.
Octopus Energy, the UK's second largest energy supplier, is unveiling "Octoplus" from tomorrow.
Customers with an electric smart meter and paying via direct debit or those with a smart prepayment meter can sign up.
Households will be able to earn "Octopoints" by regularly checking and adjusting direct debit payments and taking part in the firm's Saving Sessions, which reward those using less electricity at times of peak demand.
Eligible households will also be able to earn points by spinning an online "Wheel of Fortune" after submitting meter readings and for customer referrals.
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Eight hundred Octopoints will equate to £1 under the scheme.
Any points can be donated to charity or in exchange for Octopus-themed merchandise.
Entertainment and food-based rewards are set to follow, although the supplier is yet to confirm what these will be and what merchandise will be available to claim.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief product officer for Octopus, said: “Our customers have been so passionate about earning Octopoints through our previous demand flexibility schemes that we’re very excited to give them even more ways to do so."
The Octoplus scheme will also inform members by email when they can use electricity for free during off-peak periods.
Customers will pay for any energy used and then have it credited back to their account after.
Anyone eligible for Octopus' new scheme will be contacted by the firm from tomorrow via their apps and online accounts, where households can also sign up.
It comes with the firm in talks to buy out Shell's household energy business months after taking on 1.5million Bulb customers.
How else to save money on energy bills
A number of firms offer customers grants worth up to £1,500 if they're struggling to cover bills, including Octopus, British Gas, Scottish Power and E.On.
How much you can get will often depend on your circumstances and what firm you're with.
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It's worth getting in touch with yours to see what help is available.
Meanwhile, you might be in line for either or both cost of living payments worth £599 or up to £300 - £899 in total.
Plus, it's worth checking if you can get help via the Household Support Fund (HSF), worth £842million.
You should contact your local council to see what help is available.
You can find out what council area you fall under by using the Government's online locator tool.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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