EDF giving customers 'free electricity' on one day each week

EDF is giving 'free electricity'
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


EDF is giving customers free electricity once a week as part of a new plan. The energy firm said the reward would be handed out to people who signed up to its Sunday Saver challenge.

Those customers will get the perk for saving energy during peak weekday hours. Anyone who uses 10 per cent less electricity during 4pm to 7pm on weekdays would be given four free hours on a Sunday in return.

EDF said challenges would take place monthly and start on the first Monday of the month. The more electricity customers shift, the more 'free' electricity they can earn.

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A 10 per cent reduction in peak consumption would earn four hours of free electricity and a 20 per cent reduction earns eight hours. A 30 per cent earns 12 hours and using 40 per cent less earns 16 hours of free electricity on a Sunday.

The scheme follows a trial of 'Sunday Saver' where 98 per cent of participants earned four hours or more of free electricity on Sundays at least once, EDF said. Of those who participated in every challenge, 88 per cent earned 16 hours or more of free electricity in at least one month.

Participants collectively accumulated a total of 39,624 free hours over the past five months. Research conducted by EDF showed strong support from trial participants of the schemes, with 98 per cent of those surveyed making a conscious effort to reduce their energy usage during peak times.

Those who took part said they used the washing machine or tumble dryer at different times, did not use the dishwasher and moved their cooking time. Of the group, 68 per cent said the trial helped them understand more about the relationship between their usage and their carbon footprint.

Michael and Julie Parker, from Derbyshire, have earned a total of 192 free hours on Sundays over the course of the trial. Mr Parker said: "We’ve found the Sunday Saver challenge trial really simple – we’ve managed to reduce our electricity by ensuring we don’t do any clothes washing, use the dishwasher or charge a car between 4pm and 7pm.

"With the free hours we’ve earned on Sundays, it’s been great to do as much as possible such as washing and charging things around the house. We would definitely take part again." Rich Hughes, director of retail at EDF, said: "Our Sunday Saver trial has already helped customers to earn free electricity, whilst also shifting their electricity usage away from peak times, reducing pressure on our energy grid.

"With energy prices increasing and winter on the horizon, we’re excited to now be able to launch this to smart meter customers, enabling more people to do the things they love on a Sunday for free, saving them cash on their bills and reducing their carbon footprint." EDF said customers could shift their electricity usage away from peak times during the week by:

  • Putting the dishwasher on at night or breakfast time instead

  • Avoiding using the washing machine and tumble dryer

  • Unpluging devices and chargers and use battery power instead

  • Putting aside gaming consoles and try something new as a family

  • Batch cooking at the weekend to save energy and time – just reheat during the week

  • Charging electric cars outside of peak times

Customers must have a working smart meter for their electricity supply and be opted into half-hourly meter read to take part. You will be notified by WhatsApp or SMS if you have earned free electricity or you can track their performance in EDF’s exclusive Energy Hub platform, accessible via MyAccount online.

Energy Hub also provides customers with a personalised view of their households’ energy use. EDF said it found customers who were using Energy Hub to understand their usage were able to actively reduce their bills by up to £41 a year as well as helping to cut their carbon footprint.

Customers can find out more about the Sunday Saver challenge here and can input their details to be notified when they can sign up for the next challenge.