Trial 1 involved the installation of smart meters in participants’ homes, as well as the provision of energy efficiency devices and advice (LED lightbulbs, an eco-kettle, a ‘standby saver’ and an energy efficiency advice leaflet).
Trial 2 encouraged participants to shift their electricity use at certain times through Time of Use tariffs/ rebates. Prepayment customers were offered Bonus Time, a dynamic, non-punitive, Critical Peak Rebate tariff, one of the first of its kind tested in the UK. Customers were credited 10 units back for every unit of energy they saved during Bonus Time periods that were notified to participants via text message the day before. Credit customers were offered HomeEnergy FreeTime, a static, non-punitive Time of Use tariff. Customers could choose to receive free electricity on either Saturdays or Sundays between 9-5pm.

Energywise was the first time that a Critical Peak Rebate was trialled with pre-payment customers in the UK. The tariff rewarded customers for reducing their demand during certain times of the day without penalising them if they chose not. It was also the first time that an energy supplier and a network operator worked together with a trusted third party – in this case a local charity – to engage with fuel poor and traditionally hard to reach customers.

Energywise has taught us:

• Partnering with highly respected and trusted local community organisations was very effective in ensuring inclusive recruitment.
• There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach so the engagement should be carefully designed according to the needs of the community involved.
• It is important to make sure that customers understand the offer and how they can benefit from it.