EDF customers can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity every Sunday

The energy firm said the reward would be handed out to people who signed up to its Sunday Saver challenge.

EDF is offering customers free electricity once a week as part of a new initiative. The energy company announced that the reward would be given to those who participate in its Sunday Saver challenge.

Participants will receive the benefit for conserving energy during peak weekday hours. Any customer who reduces their electricity usage by 10 per cent between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays will be rewarded with four free hours of electricity on a Sunday.

EDF stated that challenges would occur monthly, commencing on the first Monday of each month. The more electricity customers conserve, the more 'free' electricity they can accumulate.

A 10 per cent decrease in peak consumption equates to four hours of free electricity, while a 20 per cent reduction earns eight hours. A 30 per cent reduction results in 12 hours and using 40 per cent less electricity provides 16 hours of free electricity on a Sunday, reports Birmingham Live.

This scheme follows a trial of 'Sunday Saver', where 98 per cent of participants earned at least four hours or more of free electricity on Sundays, according to EDF. Among those who participated in every challenge, 88 per cent earned 16 hours or more of free electricity in at least one month.

Participants collectively accumulated a total of 39,624 free hours over the past five months. Research conducted by EDF revealed strong support from trial participants for the schemes, with 98 per cent of those surveyed making a conscious effort to reduce their energy usage during peak times.

Participants reported changing their habits, like using the washing machine or tumble dryer at different times, avoiding the dishwasher, and shifting when they cooked. A significant 68 per cent of them acknowledged that the trial had increased their understanding of how their usage affects their carbon footprint.

The Derbyshire couple Michael and Julie Parker benefited from a total of 192 free Sunday hours throughout the trial period. Mr Parker commented: "We've found the Sunday Saver challenge trial really simple we've managed to reduce our electricity by ensuring we don't do any clothes washing, use the dishwasher or charge a car between 4pm and 7pm."

"With the free hours we've earned on Sundays, it's been great to do as much as possible such as washing and charging things around the house. We would definitely take part again."

Rich Hughes, EDF's retail director, stated: "Our Sunday Saver trial has already helped customers to earn free electricity, whilst also shifting their electricity usage away from peak times, reducing pressure on our energy grid."

"With energy prices increasing and winter on the horizon, we're excited to now be able to launch this to smart meter customers, enabling more people to do the things they love on a Sunday for free, saving them cash on their bills and reducing their carbon footprint."

EDF mentioned several ways customers could alter their electricity use during the week to avoid peak periods:.

To participate, customers must have a functioning smart meter for their electricity supply and be opted into half-hourly meter readings. Notifications of earned free electricity will be sent via WhatsApp or SMS, or customers can monitor their performance on EDF's exclusive Energy Hub platform, accessible through MyAccount online.

The Energy Hub also offers customers a personalised view of their household energy use. According to EDF, customers utilising the Energy Hub to understand their usage were able to actively reduce their bills by up to £41 a year, while also reducing their carbon footprint.

For more information about the Sunday Saver challenge, customers can visit here and input their details to be notified when they can sign up for the next challenge.