Ovo Energy has announced that after the first month of its Power Move trial, participants have collectively saved over £22,000. It said if the behaviour of those customers was replicated throughout the UK it would mean a £95.4 million saving.
The trial rewards customers £20 per month, up to £100 in total, for shifting their energy usage outside the peak hours of 4pm-7pm on weekdays, when the grid is at its highest demand and relies on carbon-heavy fossil fuels.
Ovo said that if the trial was expanded to all Ovo customers, it could save £8 million a month. If a similar scheme was expanded to everyone, households could save £95.4 million each month while cutting carbon emissions by almost 20,000 tonnes.
The trial has shown that young people were the most successful in modifying their energy behaviour. Those renting social housing in high rise buildings were also among the most likely to make an effective change.
The news follows a UK-wide government ‘It All Adds Up’ energy efficiency campaign to raise awareness of the no- or low-cost actions which can save money. This includes suggesting households reduce their boiler flow temperature from 75ºC to 60ºC, which can substantially reduce energy usage without affecting the temperature of a room. Households can also turn off appliances at the plug, which could save approximately £70 per year.
Alongside this, OVO recently launched a trial dubbed ‘Energy Experts’ that offers customers a free home visit to assess the steps required to make their home more energy efficient and cut costs, with step by step advice from technicians and a free Energy Performance Certificate.
Raman Bhatia, Ovo chief executive, said: “We need a resilient grid to get us through this winter and beyond. This trial has rewarded customers for taking action to reduce their energy consumption habits at a time when households are looking to reduce costs. We have a responsibility as industry and Government to support households with energy efficiency measures, now and for winters to come.”