Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday it will run a two-month pilot programme called Smart Appliance Cashback starting this month to encourage appliance use during hours when renewable power generation is abundant.

Smart Appliance Cashback is a pilot programme designed to spread a culture of efficient electricity use by encouraging appliance use during hours when renewable energy generation, such as solar power, is plentiful. Customers who participate can receive 100 won per 1 kWh, up to 300 won per hour, if they use eligible appliances between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends and public holidays.

Eligible products are 4 categories with a high share of power use and easy-to-adjust operating times: washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and garment care devices. Cashback paid is provided through electricity bill deductions or refunds. Samsung smart appliance users can apply for the programme by pressing the connect button in the Energy service under the Life tab in the SmartThings app.

Linking is completed after signing up on the connected page and agreeing to share device usage data. Users can then receive cashback by using SmartThings-connected appliances during the eligible hours. The SmartThings app also has an appliance scheduling function, allowing users to set a washing machine or dryer to run on weekend mornings in advance so they do not miss cashback benefits. Detailed application methods and benefits can be checked on an information page on Samsung.com.

Samsung Electronics also supports SmartThings Energy, which allows users to check real-time power use of connected appliances and use devices efficiently with an AI saving mode. It is also continuing to expand partnerships for electricity bill savings with major global energy companies including Italy's Enel, Britain's British Gas and the Netherlands' Coolblue.

Samsung Electronics in June officially launched a service in cooperation with Enel, Italy's largest energy company, to provide customers who buy Samsung washing machines with up to 180 kWh of free electricity for washing over 2 years. With Britain's British Gas, it introduced a tariff plan that offers a 50 percent discount on weekend electricity rates. In May, it became the first South Korean company to sign the European Union's smart appliance energy code of conduct, laying the groundwork for expanding energy cooperation in Europe.