Page last updated on 14th August 2025
The Demand Flexibility Service - Find out more about using your energy flexibly
The Demand Flexibility Service is a voluntary program which helps customers with smart meters reduce their electricity consumption during specific times. During the winter of 2022 and 2023, this initiative successfully saved enough electricity to power over 10 million homes for an hour. Now available year-round, the program continues to offer significant benefits. Intrigued? Keep on reading to learn more!
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What is the Demand Flexibility Service?
The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) scheme encourages individual to reduce their electricity consumption during busy and peak hours. This helps our energy system manage energy better. In return, people get paid or receive other rewards.
Who started the DFS?
The Demand Flexibility Service was developed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Together with energy suppliers who have voluntarily joined the program, they offer consumers who have a smart meter the option to reduce their energy consumption for rewards.
Who can join the Demand Flexibility Service?
The Demand Flexibility Service is open to anyone who wants to reduce their energy consumption – this includes households and businesses.
For businesses, installing a smart meter on the premises can be an effective way to monitor and manage energy use more efficiently. The same principle applies to households looking to take control of their energy usage.
But, to take part, you’ll need to meet a few key requirements:
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Live or have a business in England, Scotland or Wales. The scheme isn’t currently available in Northern Ireland.
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Have a working smart meter. A smart meter allows your energy use to be accurately and quickly measured, meaning you can take part in Demand Flexibility Service events.
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Be with a participating energy supplier or third-party provider. Not all energy suppliers are registered to take part in the Demand Flexibility Service. If yours isn’t, you won’t be eligible unless you sign up through a registered third-party app that connects to your smart meter. You can only register with one provider at a time.
How does the Demand Flexibility Service work?
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Notification
After signing up for the Demand Flexibility Service, your energy provider will send you notifications on days when energy demand across the country is expected to be high.
They’ll let you know the peak time, usually between 4–7 pm, and ask if you can reduce your energy use during that period. Participation is completely voluntary, so you only take part if it works for you.
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Rewards
If you successfully reduce your electricity usage during the designated times, your energy supplier rewards you. This can come in the form of a payment, a credit on your energy bill, or other types of rewards, depending on the terms set by your energy supplier.
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Tracking
The programme relies on smart meters to track electricity usage, making it easier to measure and verify how much energy has been saved during events. Being able to access the Demand Flexibility Service is just one of the many advantages of having a smart meter.
Why was the DFS introduced?
The DFS was designed to help people consume electricity in a more flexible way by rewarding them for reducing their electricity use during peak times.
During peak hours, it is sometimes necessary to use additional fossil fuel power generators. This can be more expensive and release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
More flexibility in our electricity system is important because it lessens our reliance on these additional power generators.
What's next with the DFS?
Since November 2024, changes to the DFS will now allow households and businesses to participate across the entire year, instead of being limited to just the winter months.
How to save electricity during a DFS event
Consumers could choose to use power-hungry appliances like tumble driers, ovens, dishwashers, and immersion heaters before or after the DFS event. Reducing electricity usage during the event, for example by using a microwave instead of an electric oven, would also help.
Modern televisions, laptop computers, and energy-efficient lightbulbs typically use much less electricity, so changing the time of day when used would have less impact.
You can find advice on saving energy in our Energy Saving Tips section.
Consumers are advised to follow safety guidance on using electrical devices in the home. For example, Electrical Safety First recommends appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers aren’t run unattended overnight.
Do you need a smart meter to take part in the Demand Flexibility Service?
Yes. In order to accurately measure energy usage in the home during a DFS event, and to create a baseline measure of the last 60 days of electricity usage, a smart meter capable of sending half-hourly readings is required. Additionally, you will need to give marketing consent so you can be contacted about DFS events.
Consumers without a smart meter can request one from their energy supplier at no extra cost below, or start the application process here.
We are redirecting you.
Why was the Demand Flexibility Service introduced?
The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) was created to encourage more flexible electricity use by rewarding people for reducing their consumption during peak times.
During peak hours, it is sometimes necessary to use additional fossil fuel power generators. This can be more expensive and release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
More flexibility in our electricity system is important because it lessens our reliance on these additional power generators. When you register for electricity reward schemes—such as the Demand Flexibility Service, which focuses specifically on energy use—you’re taking a practical approach to create a cleaner, more efficient energy system.
What's next with the Demand Flexibility Service?
Since November 2024, changes to the Demand Flexibility Scheme will now allow households and businesses to participate throughout the entire year, rather than being limited to just the winter months. This will help to support an on-demand energy system that adapts to changing energy needs.
How to save electricity during a Demand Flexibility Scheme event?
Consumers could choose to use power-hungry appliances like tumble driers, ovens, dishwashers, and immersion heaters before or after the Demand Flexibility Scheme event. Reducing electricity usage during the event, like using a microwave instead of an electric oven, would also help.
Modern televisions, laptop computers, and energy-efficient lightbulbs typically use much less electricity, so changing the time of day when used would have less impact.
You can find advice on saving energy in our Smart Energy Saving Tips section.
Consumers are advised to follow safety guidance on using electrical devices in the home. For example, Electrical Safety First recommends appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers aren’t run unattended overnight.
Do you need a smart meter to take part in the Demand Flexibility Service?
Yes. To accurately measure energy usage in the home during a Demand Flexibility Service event, and to create a baseline measure of the last 60 days of electricity usage, a smart meter capable of sending half-hourly readings is required. Additionally, you will need to give marketing consent so you can be contacted about DFS events.
Consumers without a smart meter can request one from their energy supplier at no extra cost below or start the application process here.
If you’ve signed up for the Demand Flexibility Service, do you have to take part?
No, taking part in a Demand Flexibility Service event is entirely optional. Consumers can opt-in, but if they don’t take any action, nothing will change.
How can I take part in the Demand Flexibility Service?
You can take part in the Demand Flexibility Service by reaching out to your energy supplier and/or DFS provider and letting them know you’re interested. They will let you know how to sign up.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) have a list of all the registered energy providers taking part in the Demand Flexibility.
Remember, you need to have a smart meter to participate so make sure you’ve requested one and/or already have one installed!
What is HOMEflex?
The HOMEflex or (Household Or Microbusiness Energy Flexibility) project is working to ensure a trusting, transparent and inclusive domestic flexibility market.
The project focuses on establishing standards to protect customers with new schemes, such as the Demand Flexibility Service.
They have published the HOMEflex code of conduct, which some energy suppliers and third parties have declared alignment with. You can see which providers have signed up here.
They hope to launch a full compliance scheme for the Code soon.
Demand Flexibility Service for small businesses
The Demand Flexibility Service is also being offered to small businesses. It worked in the same way as the version offered to homes, meaning you need to have a smart meter to participate.
If you don’t already have a smart meter for your business premise, find out how to get one. You can also learn more about saving energy and other support on our small business site.
Information for people needing help with energy bills.
As energy costs remain high, more people are struggling to pay their energy bills, and an increasing number of us are worried about energy bills. We’ve put together some advice on what to do if you’re worried about rising energy bills.
To find out more about joining the Demand Flexibility Service, or other schemes available, contact your energy supplier.
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