UK homes with smart meter may qualify for 'free' energy weekends

UK homes with smart meter may qualify for 'free' energy weekendsSome homes could be eligible to help avoid wasting 'excess' solar or wind energyCommentsMoneyAndrew Nuttall U35 Lifestyle Writer15:21, 15 Apr 2026Updated 15:21, 15 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesSunny or windy weather could lead to an energy excess for the UK this summer(Image: Justin Paget via Getty Images)Some households could qualify for cheaper or even 'free' energy this year, provided they meet the criteria. It comes as Britain is approaching the time of year when it could start generating more power than residents can use.‌Personal finance expert Iona Bain appeared on BBC Morning Live earlier this week to break down the headlines that sound "too good to be true". Reports claim that certain households could take advantage of "free" electricity by delaying energy-heavy tasks, such as doing the laundry, until the weekend, when there is typically a surplus of power.‌This excess energy initiative has been introduced ahead of the summer period, when warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and heightened solar power output far exceed winter levels. Offering energy at no cost helps ensure that generated power isn't simply squandered, reports the Express.‌She said: "It is similar to schemes that we've seen before where energy companies incentivise people to use energy at off-peak times by giving [customers] discounted rates. This scheme is a little bit different, though."Now that we're starting to generate more renewable energy using solar and wind power, we could be making too much of it and risk overwhelming the grid. As of today [speaking on April 14], the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has announced this new scheme."Content cannot be displayed without consent‌"It is essentially incentivising people to use the washing machine, charge their cars and run various appliances on sunny or windy days at the weekend to try an...