Shifting energy usage to off-peak times could save UK over £95 million a month

• OVO’s Power Move trial shows consumers could save £95.4 million a month and almost 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions by reducing peak time demand across the UK

• Trial participants saved over £22,000 in the first month, proving simple measures can have an impact, and a toolbox of strategies can be used to save energy, cut bills and reduce demand

• Industry and Government working together to help consumers find energy saving methods that work for them

London, Thursday 22nd December 2022: One month into OVO’s Power Move trial, participants have already collectively saved over £22,000. This would mean a £95.4 million saving if everyone in the UK switched to off-peak energy use.

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.

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 tons.

As the global energy crisis continues, consumers are seeking small, simple changes that can help them save money and make their homes more energy efficient. The trial has shown that young people, such as students or those starting out on their career, 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 its Energy Experts trial to upgrade homes, where customers could make simple changes to save up to £260 on bills.

Raman Bhatia, OVO CEO, 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.”

Lord Callanan, Energy and Business Minister, said: 

“The government’s ‘It All Adds Up’ energy saving campaign is getting important messaging out to millions of households across the country, showing them low and no-cost tips to cut their energy use and bills this winter.

“Simple steps like turning down the flow temperature on a boiler, switching appliances off at the plug and putting draught excluders around doors can help to cut energy bills by hundreds of pounds a year, while keeping homes warm and safe.

“It all adds up, so I urge people to take note of the advice and follow the easy steps to cut their fuel bills.”

END

Notes to Editors

Customer information:

• Please find more information on the blog here.

Government energy saving campaign 

• Information on the ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign can be found here.

About OVO

OVO was founded in 2009 and redesigned the energy experience to be fair, effortless, green and simple for all customers. OVO was awarded Company of the Decade at the BusinessGreen Leaders’ Awards and has won multiple awards, including Innovation Project of the Year, for investing in the market leading technology, customer service operations and digital products to help customers cut their carbon emissions. OVO is on a mission through its sustainability strategy Plan Zero to tackle the most important issue of our time; the climate crisis, by bringing our customers with us on the journey towards zero carbon living. OVO Energy has committed to being a net zero carbon business and achieve bold science-based carbon reduction targets, while helping customers reduce their household emissions at the same time.