EDF has launched a new loyalty scheme called Flextras
EDF is rolling out a new reward scheme that could give some households up to 25 hours of electricity for free each month – but only if they’re willing to rethink when they use power-hungry appliances. The supplier’s Flextras loyalty programme is designed to tempt customers into moving tasks like washing, tumble-drying, hoovering and dishwashing away from the weekday early-evening rush, when demand across the grid is typically at its highest.
The offer sits alongside a wider push across the energy industry to “smooth” electricity use as more power comes from wind and solar. By nudging customers towards weekends and off-peak times, suppliers say the system is under less strain and there is less need to rely on gas-fired power stations that tend to be switched on when demand spikes or when renewable output dips.
Under Flextras, eligible EDF customers can get a four-hour free electricity welcome bonus. After that, more free hours can be earned through the company’s Weekend Saver reward, which is based on how much electricity you avoid using between 4pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday.
EDF says households that keep less than 18% of their weekly electricity use within those three-hour weekday peak windows will earn free electricity. Those who manage to get their peak-time use below 9% can qualify for the full 25 hours a month.
The company claims “seven in ten” people taking part will be able to earn free electricity if they cut peak-time consumption by 15%. EDF suggests changes could be fairly straightforward for some homes, such as running a dishwasher outside the 4pm to 7pm period – although it will depend on routines.
However, not everyone will be able to join. Weekend Saver is only open to customers signed up to Flextras who use the EDF app and have a compatible smart meter capable of providing half-hourly readings.
Any free electricity earned can be used at weekends, with hours redeemable on Saturdays and Sundays between midnight and 3pm. EDF says this is intended to give customers flexibility over when they use their reward.
The launch comes as households continue to feel the squeeze from high bills, while EDF says wholesale prices are rising. The firm argues that shifting demand away from peak times can also help reduce pressure on the wider electricity system.
Joe Souto, director of retail at EDF, said: “Flextras is all about giving our customers more value, and recognising the role they can play in helping create a smarter, more flexible energy system.”
Flextras also includes other benefits, EDF says, including a 12-month Tastecard membership offering discounts across restaurants, cinemas, coffee shops, days out and other leisure activities. There is also a referral offer: both the existing customer and the person they recommend can receive a £50 account credit, as long as the new customer has not been with EDF in the previous 12 months.
For those who qualify for the welcome offer, the four free hours are added once they join Flextras. EDF says Weekend Saver rewards are calculated monthly, with the value of the electricity used during the free periods then credited back to the customer’s account.
EDF says the bonus hours can be redeemed from October 1, and that further rewards may be added to Flextras in future.
For households that already avoid heavy electricity use during the weekday 4pm to 7pm window, the scheme could be a relatively painless way to bring down costs. But anyone who routinely cooks, runs a wash, tumble-dries or powers through cleaning jobs at that time may need to adjust their schedule to get the biggest benefit.
The offer is accessed via the EDF app, and customers have to agree to the scheme’s terms and conditions when signing up.
