Q1. Why was PowerSmart Home introduced?
Q2. How does PowerSmart Home work?
Q3. How much money can I save with PowerSmart Home?
Q4. Did EnergyAustralia introduce PowerSmart Home just to make money?
Q5. Will I need a new electricity meter installed before I change to PowerSmart Home rates?
Q7. How will I know if PowerSmart Home is right for me?
Q1. Why was PowerSmart Home introduced?
Over time, there has been a substantial growth in electricity demand, in particular an increase at certain times, known as 'peak demand'. Increased usages of appliances such as reverse cycle air conditioners and the use of more and larger electrical appliances in people's homes together with increased business demand is driving this trend.
If we do nothing to limit the growth in demand, investment is likely to continue to increase in the foreseeable future and this may lead to higher electricity prices.
So, like many utilities around the world, EnergyAustralia wants to actively work with its customers to encourage more efficient use of electricity and help reduce peak demand.
In moving to this system, EnergyAustralia understands that electricity customers want to be able to continue with household activities like heating and cooling, cooking, watching tv and using their computer when they want, while continuing to receive an affordable electricity bill.
Q2. How does PowerSmart Home work?
Most customers are currently paying the same rate for electricity no matter what time of the day they use it (except for customers with existing Off Peak 1 and Off Peak 2 rates which are usually for hot water).
With PowerSmart Home the day is divided into three different time-bands which are called Peak, Shoulder and Off Peak. Your electricity is measured using a meter that records electricity consumption in 30 minute intervals and the electricity rates are different in each of these time-bands, so you pay different rates for your electricity according to the time of day it is used.
A higher rate is charged during the Peak period, than in the Shoulder and Off Peak periods. So your rate is less when the demand for electricity is lower and more when it is higher.
The information below can help you choose when is the best time to use electricity in order to save on electricity bills.
Please refer to the PowerSmart Home rates for more information on Shoulder and Off Peak rates.
Q3. How much money can I save with PowerSmart Home? Most residential customers use the majority of their electricity during the Peak and Shoulder periods. PowerSmart Home offers you an opportunity to reduce your electricity bill if you are able to make small changes and move some of your electricity consumption out of the Peak period and into the shoulder and Off Peak periods.
Q4. Did EnergyAustralia introduce PowerSmart Home just to make money? No, PowerSmart Home was being introduced to make the way people pay for their electricity fairer for the majority of customers. Reducing electricity consumption during times of peak demand will help make future investment in expensive, new infrastructure more efficient. This is designed to help keep electricity prices down in the future.
Q5. Will I need a new electricity meter installed before I change to PowerSmart Home rates?
Yes, a new meter that supports PowerSmart Home and measures your electricity consumption in 30 minute intervals will be installed at your premises. While completing the installation the technician will need to interrupt the power supply. The time may vary but will generally be for less than 30 minutes.
EnergyAustralia can check if you already have a meter installed at your premises that supports PowerSmart Home and is ready to change over to PowerSmart Home rates.
Q6. If I have PowerSmart Home rates, will it affect my existing Controlled Load rates (Off Peak 1 or Off Peak 2)?
No, you will retain your current Controlled Load rates. Regardless of whether your Controlled Load is measured separately, or by your new PowerSmart meter, you will retain the off peak functionality when your meter is exchanged.
Q7. How will I know if PowerSmart Home is right for me?
PowerSmart Home may not be right for everyone and may depend on your lifestyle. For example if you are at home all day then it is most likely not for you, but if you are mainly home on weekends or nights and you use the majority of your appliances outside the weekday Peak period of 2pm - 8pm then PowerSmart Home may be right for you.
Q8. If I am not satisfied with PowerSmart Home rates can I revert back to the Domestic All Time rates?
Yes, if you find that PowerSmart Home rates are not suitable you can then change back to Domestic All Time rates. We can also help by calculating to see if you would be better off on PowerSmart Home rates or Domestic All Time rates.
Please note: We allow customers to change twice, so a PowerSmart Home customer can opt out and they can opt in. However, this is the maximum number of changes permitted.