Case study
KEY METRICS
Wendy never imagined that a workplace benefit could make a difference in her daily life. But when she joined EnergyFlex as head of CDR Compliance and Implementation and EnergyFlex’s Employee Benefits program, she’s found that saving money and being more energy-efficient go hand in hand—without any drastic lifestyle changes.
“I was living in Queensland, in a house with solar panels, when I joined the company. My initial EnergyFlex Rating was 2.6. As part of EnergyFlex’s employee value proposition, the company will pay my energy bills if I reach and maintain a rating of 3.0, so that was my goal.”
For Wendy, the shift began with a simple idea: using energy smarter, not less. By running her pool cleaner and air conditioner during solar generation hours, she saw a marked difference in her EnergyFlex Rating. “It increased 0.2 points to 2.8—I was so close to getting my bills paid!”
Wendy unintentionally reached her goal when she moved to Victoria and vacated the Queensland house, leaving only the pool pump and air conditioning on. “Ironically, my EnergyFlex Rating increased to 3.3 when I wasn’t living there, but it was proof that my rating would increase if I used most of my power during the day. In the end, my energy account was in credit, so I didn’t need my bills paid through the employee benefit,” she says.
“When I moved into my new home in Victoria, which didn’t have solar or a pool, my initial rating was 2.2. It increased to 2.3 when I shifted my energy use into the ‘best’ time, which EnergyFlex showed me was between 12pm and 2pm. I’m still working to shift some activities, like cooking, to better times.”
This financial freedom reflects a key goal of the EnergyFlex Employee Benefits program to enhance financial and energy wellness, and Wendy’s experience demonstrates how promoting energy flexibility can help employees improve their financial situation.
What surprised Wendy most was how easy it was to integrate EnergyFlex’s practices into her daily routine.
“It was very easy; small changes made a big difference,” she shares. And these changes didn’t mean using less energy—quite the opposite. “Using more energy at the right time is actually encouraged,” she adds, highlighting the balance between efficiency and comfort. “I now understand how beneficial it is to use appliances during the day,” Wendy notes.
With unique incentives like an extra week of leave or novated leasing for electric vehicles, EnergyFlex encourages employees to adopt sustainable practices without sacrificing their lifestyle.
“The company actively supports its employees to align with the values it promotes to customers, which has boosted my confidence in being part of the organisation.”
“Knowing that using more energy at the right times can be financially beneficial has encouraged me to schedule activities like running appliances or charging devices when the sun is shining,” Wendy explains. “I feel good knowing that my carbon emissions decreased thanks to these small changes, even though I was using more energy overall.”
Her journey reflects the program’s broader impact of empowering employees to contribute to sustainable goals at work and home. With her energy savings redirected towards future investments, Wendy feels confident in her role and choices.
“It’s not only about reducing energy costs,” she concludes, “it’s about fostering a positive work environment that aligns with environmental sustainability goals and boosts morale.”
