Power Move - spring challenge

I’m curious to know why the change in peak times wasn’t communicated clearly via email to Powet Move users? The first I became aware was when I received a half monthly target update showing I wouldn’t achieve any of the 3 levels. I’ve already done everything possible to reduce my electricity usage, with Ovo Beyond showing my usage is 38% lower than similar homes. 
 

I usually run the washing machine and dishwasher on weekdays prior to 4pm. I’m now delaying turning the TV on at night and not using the oven until after 9pm, but wonder if I’ll be able to achieve a significant enough shift to get the £10 credit. I’m on benefits due to chronic illness, so every credit really helps. 

Has anyone else tried completing the questionnaire for the new Power Move Flex? I don’t have an electric vehicle so can’t answer the final question as it requires an answer. 
 

If you own an electric vehicle do you charge it at home? 

Please choose an option

Yes

No

Prefer not to sAt

For that question, you can just answer Prefer Not To Say if you’re unable to answer due to not owning an EV. If that doesn’t work, just answer with No.

Hey @DJ_Kinski 

The change was communicated as part of the challenge email at the beginning of the new challenge, I double checked this with the Power Move team directly, you can see an example below of the email.

Hey @becca_media, @Ianmh173, @DJ_Kinski 

 

I double checked with the team that there had been an email that detailed the time change on the spring challenge, and they did confirm emails were sent out with the new time, £ and % on 1st. The email should look a little something like this one below.

 

I’m sorry you’ve not been on target so far, but there’s still time to bring that % down. I know it’s not easy for everyone, and it’s why the challenge is optional, as it may not work for everyone’s lifestyle, there are a few helpful topics below from others who’ve previously struggled to meet the target, with lots of hints and tips on shifting power outwith the timeslot:

 

 

Keep us updated with how you get on with the challenge. 

For working people this challenge is impossible- to expect people to wait til9pm to eat after finishing work is just cruel and unusual! I work mainly from home and start at 7:30 am so it’s a no from me but am fortunate I don’t rely on the credit but many will. 

Gonna be honest here… Perhaps a good tip might be don’t be so defeatist about the challenge?

People like you are exactly why OVO Power Move exists in the first place with the incentives it offers. Making the times be anything but the Peak that they are eliminates the benefits.

Try doing things like:

• Having a hot lunch
• Batch cooking at the weekend
• Change what you use to cook to something else
• Use a slow cooker - these can literally make certain meats taste absolutely amazing

Ultimately, if you’re not willing to play the game, then very well you aren’t forced to. But if you insist on that, then you won’t ever win the prize - and I’d expect you to step aside to allow those who do want to play a chance to succeed. For your information, I’ve won pretty much every single time and it’s barely caused me any inconvenience at all.

It is not a cruel and unusual punishment because OVO Power Move is optional… Unlike in some places… And before you ask, those who don’t have Smart Meters over there get AUTOMATICALLY disconnected every time Load Limiting and/or Load Shedding activates. I actually happen to personally know someone who lived there for several years.

Consider yourself lucky that the UK schemes like OVO Power Move are optional!

I haven’t had the email yet but the first Spring Power Move reward for April is now showing on my account.

By my own reckoning I did 7.98% for April, but the OVO email is always slightly different because they use a more accurate 3 decimal places in their calculations.

Ditto. That’s the quickest result I ‘ve seen so far, I think, so kudos 🌟 to the number-crunchers this month!

I use 3DP as well, and the outcome has always matched precisely hitherto.

I remarked elsewhere that I probably had one day’s numbers disregarded because of the ‘late arrival of the incoming data,’ so I’ll be interested to see what the email says when it does turn up. 

     Result including 2 April: 5.991%
     Result excluding 2 April: 5.855% 

In this case, losing one day’s data worked to my advantage. 

I’ve canned off doing the Power Move for stuff like cooking and making tea but still push washing machine / hoovering and all that outside the peak zone an never on a weekend and I managed to get £6 this month.  I consider that a bonus because the new peak times made me go “Nope, not doing that any more” when I heard them.

So people might want to try doing that.  Cooking as normal, move electric guzzlers to weekday off peak and just see if you get owt.

… and:

QED