Energy giant EDF is rolling out an enticing initiative to help households combat soaring winter bills by offering complimentary electricity hours through its extended Sunday Saver programme. The scheme, which has already delivered substantial financial relief, presents a practical opportunity for customers to significantly reduce their energy outgoings during the colder months.
Substantial Savings Already Achieved
EDF reports that its innovative programme has generated impressive results since its introduction in 2024. The company confirms that over £5.2 million in bill reductions has been distributed to more than 260,000 participating households. This substantial saving equates to more than 17.5 million hours of complimentary electricity provided to customers across the country.
How the Sunday Saver Scheme Operates
The mechanism behind EDF's offer requires customers to actively manage their electricity consumption during specific peak periods. To qualify for free power, households must reduce their electricity usage during weekday evening peak hours between 4pm and 7pm. The level of reduction directly determines the reward:
- 5% reduction earns four hours of complimentary electricity
- 20% reduction earns eight hours of complimentary electricity
- 35% reduction earns twelve hours of complimentary electricity
- 50% reduction earns the maximum sixteen hours of complimentary electricity
The earned complimentary electricity can then be utilised on designated Sundays throughout February and March. EDF suggests these free hours are ideal for power-intensive household activities such as laundry cycles, thorough cleaning sessions, and batch cooking preparations.
Regional Success Stories and Customer Experiences
Geographical analysis reveals that residents in the South East of England have benefited most significantly from the scheme. Last year, customers in this region accumulated over one million complimentary hours of electricity collectively, averaging approximately twenty-five free hours per household each month.
Individual success stories further illustrate the programme's impact. Natasha Shields from Barnsley has earned more than 680 free hours of electricity since enrolling in the scheme. She explained her family's approach: "We switch off everything we can between 4–7pm, leaving cooking and showers until after this time. During those hours, we use a battery-powered light and play board games together, which has brought us closer as a family."
Dual Benefits: Financial Relief and Grid Support
EDF emphasises that the Sunday Saver initiative serves a dual purpose: easing financial pressure on households while simultaneously supporting the national electricity grid. Jon Perks, Sales & Marketing Director at EDF, commented: "With winter bills at their highest, Sunday Saver continues to give customers a simple, practical way to cut costs when they need it most. Households can track their usage through our Energy Hub, and spot opportunities to save electricity across their home, reducing their carbon footprint at the same time."
Eligibility Requirements and Important Dates
Participation in the Sunday Saver scheme requires specific prerequisites and adherence to key deadlines:
- Customers must possess a functioning smart meter that transmits readings every thirty minutes
- Registration remains open until Sunday, February 1st, at 11.59pm
- The consumption challenge period commences on Monday, February 2nd
- Earned complimentary electricity can be used on February 15th and 22nd, plus March 1st and 8th
EDF customers can monitor their progress and consumption patterns through the Energy Hub feature within their online accounts, providing real-time insights into their energy usage and potential savings.
The extension of this programme follows a successful festive implementation in December, where over 100,000 households benefited from eight hours of complimentary electricity on Christmas Day alone, totalling 910,536 free hours of power distributed during the holiday period.
