Introducing our new Power Saver service

Power Saver¹ is all about rewarding our customers for helping to balance demand on the grid and make the most of renewable energy. We ask you to shift some of your electricity use to times when there’s more renewable energy available, or we might ask you to use less energy at peak times. Either way, you can earn energy credits when you make changes to how you use energy at home.

With our new Power Saver service², you’ll be able to choose 8 x 1-hour slots at selected times throughout the whole week. You’ll get either a 50% or 20% discount³ on electricity depending on which slots you pick. You can select your preferred slots using the ScottishPower app or in your online account.  If you decide not to choose any slots, you don’t need to worry – you’ll automatically get half-price electricity between 12pm and 4pm every Saturday and Sunday.

How can I take part?

To become a Power Saver, you need to:

If you’re signed up to EV Optimise, or are on our Heat Pump Saver or Solar Saver tariff, unfortunately you are not currently eligible for Power Saver. If you’ve tried to register but are not eligible, we’ll note your interest and get back in touch if you become eligible.

How do I get started?

If you haven’t already, simply register to become a Power Saver using the ScottishPower app or through your online account. We’ll be in touch by email within 7 days to let you know you can take part in our new Power Saver service². You can then choose your slots at selected times throughout the whole week to enjoy cheaper electricity³. You can also stack these hours to give you longer saving sessions. If you decide not to choose any slots, don’t worry – you’ll automatically get half-price electricity between 12pm and 4pm every Saturday and Sunday.

Now and again, we’ll host Half-Price Bonus events where you can get half-price electricity⁴ at specific times throughout the week. We’ll let you know when these are happening and how you can take part by notifying you in the app.

In addition, we may ask you to use less energy at peak times in our Power Saver Plus events (which require an additional sign up), part of National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service. Again, we’ll let you know when these are happening and how you can take part by notifying you in the app.

How do I set up an online energy account?

It’s quick and easy to set your account up online - simply visit scottishpower.co.uk/register (you’ll need your postcode and electricity account number to hand).

When I log into my online account, I get presented with more than one account number, which one do I select?

This may be because you have an account for one of our Home Services products or have an old energy account with us. If you have multiple accounts, make sure you use your current energy account number. If you received an email from us regarding Power Saver, your energy account number will be included in your email.

If I’m already a Power Saver, do I need to register for the new Power Saver service?

No, if you’re still eligible, you’ll automatically be able to take part in the new Power Saver service². You can choose your slots at selected times throughout the whole week to enjoy cheaper electricity³ in the ScottishPower app or through your online account

I have a multi-rate meter, am I eligible for Power Saver?

Some multi-rate meters like Economy 7 are eligible to register for Power Saver. However, if you have a multi-MPAN meter (e.g. 2 electricity meters) then unfortunately you are not currently eligible.

How do I update my smart meter readings to a half-hourly frequency?

If you’re eligible for Power Saver, you can sign up to a half-hourly meter reading frequency as part of the registration process. Alternatively, you can change your meter reading frequency to half-hourly in your online account – simply visit ‘Your smart meter preferences’ here.

Why am I unable to access Power Saver in the ScottishPower app?

Once you’re registered to take part in Power Saver, you can open the ScottishPower app and a ‘Power Saver’ tile should display in the Smart Home section.

If you haven’t downloaded the ScottishPower app yet, simply visit Google Play or the App Store. Once installed, log in if you already have an online account or register for one here. Once logged in to the app, click on the Power Saver tile in the Smart Home section.

Note: Make sure you have the latest version of the ScottishPower app installed. Visit either Google Play or the App Store to check if there’s an option to update the app.

How does it work?

You can choose 8 x 1-hour timeslots at selected times throughout the whole week. You can also stack these hours to give you longer saving sessions. You’ll get either a 50% or 20% discount on electricity³ depending on which slots you pick. (Please note, peak times on Monday to Friday between 4pm and 8pm are not available to choose.) You can select your preferred slots using the ScottishPower app or in your online account. If you decide not to choose any slots, don’t worry – you’ll automatically get half-price electricity between 12pm and 4pm every Saturday and Sunday.

When can I choose my slots to enjoy cheaper electricity?

You’ll be able to choose your 8 x 1-hour slots up until the 25th of each month. These slots will then ‘lock down’ as your chosen slots from the 1st of the following month. For example, you can choose your slots or make any changes up until 25th March, these will then take effect from 1st April.  Any changes to slots made after 25th March will take effect from 1st May.

Can I still get half-price electricity at weekends?

Yes. We’re giving you more choice, with more hours available at selected times during the whole week, but you can still select slots on weekends to keep benefitting from half-price electricity on Saturdays and Sundays.

Once I’ve chosen my slots, can I change them?

Yes, you can choose your 8 x 1-hour slots and still make any changes up until the 25th of each month, these will then take effect from the 1st of the following month. Any changes made after the 25th of the month won’t take effect until the next month.

Do my chosen slots for one month carry across to the next month?

Yes, if you choose your preferred 8 x 1-hour slots for the next month, these will carry across onto the following months unless you decide to change them.

Do I have to have the ScottishPower app to take part in new Power Saver?

No, you can choose your slots through your online account, however we would encourage you to download the app so you can more easily choose your slots, track your savings, see your monthly summary, and more!

Is there a limit on my consumption in any given slot?

For each hourly slot there is an electricity consumption limit of 2kWh, meaning you’ll receive credit for any electricity used up to this limit. Any electricity consumption that goes over this limit will be charged at your usual agreed electricity rate.

How does energy shifting work?

At peak times, when demand on the grid is high – for example, Monday to Friday between 4pm and 8pm, there’s not always enough renewable energy to go around. When this happens, fossil fuels are used to bridge the gap. But the more of us that shift our energy use to off-peak times, the more we can make the most of renewable energy.

Our Power Saver events are designed to enable you to earn energy credit when you make changes to how you use electricity at home. So, we’ll ask you to shift your energy use to off peak times and we might also ask you to use less energy at peak times. This may mean putting off using high-energy appliances (like the washing machine, oven and dishwasher), and saving their use for our off-peak times.

Remember - it’s not about using more electricity when it’s cheaper. It’s about being smarter with your electricity use, and shifting it to times throughout the week, when you could save more.

What do you mean by ‘use more’ or ‘use less’ energy?

When we ask you to ‘use more’ energy, we’re asking you to use as much electricity as you need during our set times. For example, this might mean you stick on the washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer and the oven during our timeslot events.

Alternatively, when we ask you to ‘use less’ energy, we want you to reduce your electricity use during peak times. For example, this might mean avoiding using the washing machine or oven, if you can, until the event has finished.

How will my savings appear on my bill?

Your credit will show as ‘Power Saver Credit’ on your bill. If you are a Pay As You Go customer, we’ll add up your savings and credit your meter at the end of the month. We’ll calculate the full amount you earned for the billing period and you can view a breakdown of your savings by event in the app. If you pay by Direct Debit, Power Saver will not affect your monthly payment amount.

How long does it take to calculate my results?

We’ll be able to calculate your savings when we receive your smart meter data, which usually takes a few days and then you can view them in the app.

How are my savings calculated for each type of event?

We calculate your savings by multiplying the electricity you have used during an event by your chosen discounted electricity unit rate (excluding VAT). Your daily standing charge won’t change.

For Power Saver Plus events, we’ll calculate your energy use based on your smart meter data and compare this to your energy forecast, which will also use your smart meter data - this follows a standard industry calculation.

Why does the credit on my bill not match the savings?

This may be because your bill was processed before an event takes place. If this is the case, your recent savings will be added as credit to your next bill which will show all your savings to date. You can also keep track of your savings in the app.

Can I sign up for different Power Saver events?

When you become a Power Saver, you’ll automatically be able to choose your 8 x 1-hour timeslots. You can also sign up to any other Power Saver events we launch, we’ll let you know when these are happening by notifying you in the app.

What’s the difference between our timeslot events, Half-Price Bonus Hours events, and Power Saver Plus events?

You’ll automatically be able to choose your 8 x 1-hour slots at selected times throughout the week. This is because these times are generally always off-peak, with lower demand on the grid.

We may host Half-Price Bonus Hours events in response to real-time demand on the grid. These bonus events can take place at any time, and we’ll let you know when these are happening and how you can take part by notifying you through the ScottishPower app.

In addition, we may ask you to use less energy at peak times in our Power Saver Plus events (which require an additional sign up), part of National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service. Again, we’ll let you know when these are happening and how you can take part through the app.

What happens if I move house?

You will be automatically unsubscribed from Power Saver if you move house. We will apply any outstanding credit to your final bill.

If you want to continue enjoying Power Saver in your new home, you’ll need to join ScottishPower as a new customer (unless we already supply your new home) and register again to become a Power Saver.

Why do I need a smart meter?

We rely on half-hourly smart meter data to calculate your energy use during a Power Saver event and work out your savings. It’s also important that your smart meter communicates with us regularly so we can provide you with accurate bills. If we experience any ongoing connection issues with your smart meter, we’ll be in touch. If you don’t yet have a smart meter, book your free installation here.

I have a communicating smart meter, but I can’t register for Power Saver, why?

To take part in Power Saver events, we need to ensure your smart meter reliably provides half-hourly readings. It may be that your meter doesn’t currently provide the level of readings we need for you take part in events. Be assured, we are constantly monitoring this and working hard to resolve any issues that may arise.

What happens if I’m unable to take part in an event?

When it comes to your 8 x 1-hour slots, all our registered Power Savers automatically take part. So, if you’re out for the day or away on holiday and don’t use any electricity at your chosen timeslots, you’ll still be credited for any electricity you use within the event period, even if you’re not actively taking part. For example, if you have devices left on standby mode.

With our Half-Price Bonus Hours events, you need to opt in to enjoy half-price electricity4 within the bonus event. You’ll then be credited for any electricity you use within that period.

With our Power Saver Plus events, you need to opt in to benefit from any savings you can make within the event period.

What if I don’t want to participate in Power Saver anymore?

You can unsubscribe from Power Saver in the app. By unsubscribing, you will no longer be able to take part in your 8 x 1-hour timeslot events, Half-Price Bonus hours events and Power Saver Plus events. Any outstanding credit will appear on your bill. If you change your mind, you can sign up again if you still meet the eligibility criteria.

Will I be rewarded for using less gas during events?

No, you will only be rewarded for every kWh of electricity you use during our off-peak times. To learn more about kWhs go to our kWh support centre page.