understand everything about this package capable of reducing your electricity bills

Electricity prices will increase further in the coming months and all solutions are good to take to reduce your bill effectively. One of them, at EDF, is called Tempo. Here’s how it works.

With inflation and the rise in energy prices already underway, but which will increase in the months to come, there is no doubt that many expenditure items will have to be reviewed. Particularly with regard to domestic electricity. Especially since the government plans to end the price shield by 2025 and prices have already increased by 10% since August 1, 2023.

You could simply change supplier by comparing prices. The internet is full of them and there are definitely some good deals out there. However, in parallel with EDF’s regulated tariffs via the off-peak and peak hours system, another option exists, called Tempo.

Launched in 1998 by EDF, this pricing option aims to encourage consumers to reduce their electricity consumption during peak periods by guaranteeing lower electricity rates during off-peak periods and higher rates during peak periods. The aim is to encourage consumers to use electricity more efficiently and reduce demand during peak hours. Little used until now, Tempo could become a powerful ally for those who see their bills rising from month to month, in particular those who have equipment as well as an electric car.

How EDF Tempo works

In idea, the operation of Tempo is comparable to that of the off-peak and peak hours option. The goal is to define a period when we will consume less and therefore use our equipment less. The big difference, however, is that Tempo takes the form of date-based programming and less time-slot-based programming. Once the system is adopted, its electricity consumption is adjusted to save money. This system is also strongly encouraged by the public authorities to ensure that electricity demand drops during the most critical periods.

The whole thing takes the form of a calendar divided into three categories of days, always between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. which are peak hours.

• The blue days : rates are the lowest (all year round and every Sunday).
• White days: rates are higher, but considered normal (all year round, except Sundays).
• The red days : rates are the highest (from November 1 to March 31, except weekends).

The entire Tempo calendar is accessible on the EDF website and from the Hello Watt application. Note that it is possible to be notified free of charge by EDF or your supplier by email or SMS.

What to do during EDF Tempo red days?

Red days being the most expensive (up to 3 times more than normal rates), count on at least €0.7/kWh. For comparison, the regulated electricity price is 0.2276 euros at the moment (September 2023).

It is therefore recommended to radically reduce your electricity consumption at home and to plan ahead if you recharge your electric car at home. In general, red days are located in the winter period, where the overall peak consumption is highest. It can sometimes happen that five red days follow one another, so it is essential to monitor your consumption, unfortunately at the risk of being very cold while at home. Note also that red days never fall on weekends.

Here are some tips, however, to prevent the bill from rising quickly.

• If possible, try to program your machines (washing, dishes, etc.) between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., during off-peak hours.
• Turn off or reduce electric heating if you have it. Replace it with another type of heater if you can.
• Schedule the activation of your hot water tank during off-peak hours (from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
• During peak hours, encourage the use of battery-powered devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.).

What savings thanks to EDF Tempo?

It is not easy to assess the effectiveness of Tempo on a household’s finances, because everything depends on its ability to adapt its electricity consumption to the specific tariff periods of this option. However, the game can be worth the effort. For information purposes, a person from the team CssTricks calculates more than 700 euros in savings per year for your household : detached house, two people, two electric cars, electric heating with heat pump and swimming pool equipped with filtration and heat pumps.

Savings, what’s more, made without changing the lifestyle habits of said household which thinks it can put even more aside by postponing certain consumption. One thing remains certain: the potential savings necessarily vary depending on the profile.

How to register for Tempo at EDF?

Whether you are an EDF customer or another supplier, the process remains the same. To register, everything is done by telephone with EDF customer service with an advisor. All you need to do is provide your contact details, the 14-digit PDL identification number of the Linky electric meter attached to your accommodation (the number is also written on your bill) as well as your RIB or any other means of payment.

No intervention is necessary, everything is done remotely by EDF and the change is effective between 24 and 48 hours after subscription. Please note that this service is in no way linked to a commitment on your part and that you have every right to change your offer and even your supplier without charge.

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