British Gas is cutting bills by 50% for customers today between 1pm and 3pm thanks to the hot and sunny weather.

The energy supplier is rewarding customers who move their electricity usage to these times of the day because the current warm conditions have meant there is more renewable energy available. It means customers will be able to put on a load of washing, run the dishwasher or use fans to stay cool this afternoon for half the usual cost. The discount is part of British Gas’ PeakSave Green Flex events, which allows customers to get half-price electricity for one to two hour bursts by moving their electricity usage to times of the day when there is lots of renewable energy around.

These events require opting in and British Gas will have emailed customers to notify them of today’s opportunity to take part and save money.

By using electricity during off-peak hours you can earn credit towards your electricity bill or meter and make big savings throughout the year.

The event comes in addition to the supplier’s usual half price electricity on Sunday between 11am and 4pm as part of its PeakSave scheme. This scheme is open to all customers – no matter what tariff you’re on – and by joining you’ll get 50% cheaper electricity every Sunday between these five hours.

Customers don’t need to opt into each one every Sunday as you’ll be automatically included every week once you’ve signed up to PeakSave.

British Gas uses its own forecasting to set the events to test the potential savings and impact on the grid with this scheme. The discount is available to new and existing PeakSave customers, and all savings will appear as a credit on customers’ energy bills.

PeakSave was launched to reward customers for better energy usage to support a greener energy supply and so far, British Gas has paid more than £24 million to one million customers taking part in the scheme.

British Gas customers can book their free smart meter install with half hourly data and take part by signing up online.