Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

People will be paid to use less electricity today

64 replies

justasking111 · 23/01/2023 11:12

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64367504

This may be of interest to those with smart meters

OP posts:
Ginmonkeyagain · 23/01/2023 17:23

We are signed up to this with EDF but haven't been asked to take part today. I assume this is because there is little load for us to shift between 5pm and 7pm. We currently have one light on and the TV on (the heating is on but it is gas) and this is normal for us this time of the evening. We don't eat cook or eat dinner until after 7pm most in the evenings and if we are in the office we often don't get back home until 7.30pm. So I imagine they have looked at our usual consumption during this period and figured we are not worth bothering with!

SocialLite · 23/01/2023 17:25

@TimeForMeToF1y "Are you deliberately being sense, if course no one switches off their whole power"

Err... Sorry to disappoint you, but that's exactly what we do. Whole house off at the fuse box, get torches out. Kids think it's great fun!

SocialLite · 23/01/2023 17:28

We turn off the whole house at the fuse box, it's lovely actually. I'm still using my phone right now, but the quiet is divine, and I wouldn't be using it if the kids were around.

We made £12.60 on the two hour session and are at somewhere around £40 in total so far from the sessions they've done. One hour pays for about a day and a half of our usage, so it's massively worth it.

thanksamillion · 23/01/2023 17:30

I think Octopus are the most on the ball with this and have been running sessions all Autumn. We just aim to reduce our power so turn off anything unnecessary but I've got quite a few friends who go the whole hog and flip the trip switch. It makes you think about what you have running unnecessarily.

SocialLite · 23/01/2023 17:30

thanksamillion · 23/01/2023 17:30

I think Octopus are the most on the ball with this and have been running sessions all Autumn. We just aim to reduce our power so turn off anything unnecessary but I've got quite a few friends who go the whole hog and flip the trip switch. It makes you think about what you have running unnecessarily.

Octopus was running the trial

Blindsandcurtains · 23/01/2023 17:33

I don’t get it. 5-6 is obviously a busy time but surely those who would usually use their appliances between 5 and 6 are just going to use them from 6, along with everyone who gets in from work from 6 and does exactly the same. Ditto between 4 and 5. It’s just moving people’s usage?

SilverHydrangea · 23/01/2023 17:36

We've been doing this - 7th session underway now 5 - 6pm. We have 'earned' between £3 & £5 per session. Not a lot but it adds up and really doesn't involve much effort. We eat earlier or later, don't run the washing machine or dishwasher and otherwise make sure we turn lights etc off as usual.

SilverHydrangea · 23/01/2023 17:39

Blindsandcurtains · 23/01/2023 17:33

I don’t get it. 5-6 is obviously a busy time but surely those who would usually use their appliances between 5 and 6 are just going to use them from 6, along with everyone who gets in from work from 6 and does exactly the same. Ditto between 4 and 5. It’s just moving people’s usage?

I think that's exactly the point - moving usage to smooth out demand. My understanding is that sessions so far have been mainly testing the system and impact as have all been notified 24 hours in advance. In future, approx 10 - 12 times a year, we may be given just an hours notice to minimise usage if this becomes more critical.

Athenen0ctua · 23/01/2023 17:46

redskydelight · 23/01/2023 12:02

We've taken part before. We are quite careful users anyway, and the organisers acknowledge the scheme is unfair as it rewards people who normally use a lot but cut down, but doesn't help those who use less anyway and have limited ability to cut any further.

It's like classroom behaviour schemes that reward the children who frequently misbehave but ignore the children who behave all the time. Doesn't help anyone who can't change their behaviour.

LumpyandBumps · 23/01/2023 17:47

I am pleased for those people with smart meters who are able to do this.

I have been with Octopus for many years, and asked several times for a smart meter. Every time I am told there is a rolling programme of installation. I wish it would roll in my direction. 😁

clarazabel · 23/01/2023 17:48

I've been doing it for a while with Eon, it's fine and I've made a bit of money. If it stops compulsory power cuts like we had in the 70s I'm all for it. I enjoyed the old power cuts but I was a kid and had a coal fire to keep warm. Get a power cut now and the boiler goes off too - less fun. If those of us who can do it, do it, you never know. it might stop others suffering and those of you with kids and elderly to look after can be ok. I'd rather it was rolled out in a bigger way and the savings spread out amongst all of us but that's a big ask isn't it?

TimeForMeToF1y · 23/01/2023 17:55

SocialLite · 23/01/2023 17:25

@TimeForMeToF1y "Are you deliberately being sense, if course no one switches off their whole power"

Err... Sorry to disappoint you, but that's exactly what we do. Whole house off at the fuse box, get torches out. Kids think it's great fun!

You're right I wasn't clear enough, no one is forced to turn off all of their power . Obviously you can if you want to.

Abraxan · 23/01/2023 17:57

Apparently E.ON are doing this too but we didn't hear anything. I believe you have to sign up to take part but only those invited to do so.

I assume weren't eligible for whatever reason. I think maybe as we aren't heavier users between 3:30pm and 6pm already perhaps?

Original poster
justasking111 · 23/01/2023 19:15

I'd be interested to know if we are using less energy this year compared to previous years as a nation because of higher energy costs.

Are there statistics anywhere?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page