Millions of households are being offered the chance to slash their energy bills with up to 80 hours of free electricity this summer under a scheme launched by EDF.
The offer comes amid the announcement of a 13% rise in the energy price cap by Ofgem from July 1 to September 30, piling further pressure on already stretched household budgets. EDF’s “Sunday Saver” challenge rewards customers for cutting electricity use during weekday peak hours between 4pm and 7pm. In return, households can earn between four and 16 hours of free electricity to use on selected Sundays in June and July.
The supplier said customers who take part typically earn around 20 hours of free electricity a month, with average savings of £6.62 monthly in bill credits – equivalent to almost £80 a year.
Heavy users of the scheme in the top half of participants have saved an average of £12.41 a month, or nearly £149 annually. EDF said households could earn as much as 80 hours of free electricity across five Sundays this summer by shifting energy-intensive activities such as laundry, cooking and charging electric vehicles outside peak times.
Joe Souto, director of retail at EDF, said: “Sunday Saver offers an easy way to start, giving people a straightforward introduction to flexibility by shifting electricity use away from peak times, saving money while easing pressure on the grid.
There are no catches; customers can flex their electricity use to earn free electricity every Sunday as a thanks from us. Even shifting as little as 5% can earn four hours of free electricity.”
Customers with a working smart meter that sends half-hourly readings can sign up until May 31. Participants can then use their free electricity on June 14, 21 and 28, as well as July 5 and 12.
EDF said more than 24.1 million hours of free electricity have already been handed out since the scheme launched in 2024, equating to around £7.8million in bill savings.
Consumer groups have increasingly urged households to consider so-called ‘demand flexibility’ schemes, which reward customers for reducing energy use during periods when the grid is under greatest strain.