EDF Energy is relaunching its Sunday Saver challenge for the month where households are rewarded if they move their energy use away from peak times.
Peak hours are usually between 4pm and 7pm, and the more customers can shift during the week, the more free electricity they can earn.
According to the EDF Energy website, if you can shift between 5-19.9% of your electricity usage away from peak times (from Monday to Friday) you’ll have four free hours to use the following Sunday.
If it’s between 20-34.9% this will go up to eight hours, 35-49.9% will be 12 and above 50% is 16.
To join up, visit Energy Hub in your MyAccount monthly and sign up for the challenge.
Customers will need a smart meter to take part, as the firm need to take readings every 30 minutes to see how much electricity is used during peak and off-peak hours.
EDF Energy says: “You can keep track of how much free electricity you’ve earned each week in Energy Hub – and which Sunday you can use it.”
It continues: “You won’t need to do anything different to get your free electricity, as we just add a credit to your account”.
How to shift electricity usage to off-peak hours
There are a number of small changes households can make to shift their electricity usage away from peak times.
As one example, EDF Energy says: “Put your dishwasher on later in the evening after 7pm and make sure the programme’s finished before you go to bed.
“Or put it on at breakfast time to avoid peak time – and make sure it’s full before it goes on.”
Additionally, households could unplug devices and chargers between 4pm and 7pm, and make the most of the existing battery power during the period.
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A recommendation is also made to batch cook at the weekend to save time and energy, with the aim to reheat meals during the week.
They add: “Avoid using the washing machine and tumble dryer at peak times – hang clothes outside if you can”.
The overall aim is to male “positive changes to help create a greener, more sustainable grid”.
