Households could save £100 from their energy bill by reducing their power consumption at peak times this winter, under a new National Grid scheme.
The move is designed to prevent blackouts and only homes with smart meters will be able to take part. It will be trialled on 12 days between November and March and customers will be given 24 hours' notice.
On the test day they will have to reduce how much energy they use between 4pm and 7pm to qualify for an energy bill discount. Simple ways to cut power use would be to delay using a washing machine, dishwasher or tumble drier.
