Smart meters and off peak

[bella_again]

Ok so I have a new smart meter.  Which is all good and fine, so I ring up my electricity provider yes I have off peak between 10 and 7.  I start reading more, email and get told this.  

'I can confirm that you do have peak and off peak, but the off peak is a dedicated circuit. This means you’ve got either a hot water service with a capacity of 160L or more, or in-floor heating. The dedicated circuit that powers the hot water or floor heating runs at an off peak tariff between 11pm-7am. The rest of your electricity is charged at a peak tariff.'

So I don't get it don't smart meters let you use off peak unless you have a hot water dedicated circut.  Which means all this time I've been setting up my appliance to run after 11pm and its all for nothing?

I rang my provider but I'm none the wiser for it.  Is there anything I can do?

[amber-eyed-girl]

Smart meters are also inclined not to work out the peak and offpeak reliably, in some models.

Or take into account crediting for input from solar panels.

These are issues that have been in the media over time.

Google your model to see what issues there might be, then see what other people have done to argue any issues out with their provider.

There is also the ombudsman if you feel you are being overcharged.



My "smart" meter has not been set up to have peak and offpeak. No word on when, either.

[azureline**]

I don't have a smart meter but I have an off peak circuit. So, the hot water runs off that and only works off peak.

The rest of our power is a set charge but we also have solar, so I use most of my power at night.

That means we get paid 49c for the power we make and pay 19c for the power we use.

[bella_again]

Thanks guys.  I have a 420 model and it appears that they are not set for off peak usage.  So I am going to have to work out the best plan for us as I am home alot given my caring role.  The other thing I have noticed is that I have used a 1/3 more electricity in a matter of 30 days yet nothing has changed.  I was thinking maybe they are more accurate?

I'm with energy Australia on the Pure energy save peak which is 0.2878 peak and 0.1736 off peak.   I don't use any heating yet my bill is around 700 - 800 a quarter its getting ridiculous.  Any ideas on what I can do?

[amber-eyed-girl]

If your electricity has gone up, it might be that your old meter readings were being estimated, not read, and so undercharged. It should say on the bills. The smart meters are meant to be remotely read. But, I just saw in the paper this week that a large number of them are to be changed over, as they don't (sigh).

Check for any information on whether that model isn't beaming back a reading, too. They could be guessing now.

Basically, if nothing has changed, you could query the bill. Ask the provider if:

They are reading your meter remotely, or manually

If manually, are they getting the reading or doing an estimate

Tell them nothing has changed for your usage, but your bill has jumped since the smart meter and see what they say.

Good you were able to see your model does not do offpeak, like my one. That's helpful, anyway.

[kabarine]

I have a smart meter and dont pretend at all to understand how they work .... Apart from a gas cooktop, everthing else in my home is powered by electricity and my current Winter bill was $400.  Do you use you dryer often? They are great drain on power as are electric ovens if run for long periods of time.  I dont have solar either, dont like the thought of those "things" on my roof

[bella_again]

Oh yes admittedly I do use the dryer as I live near the snow and in the winter its near impossible to get everything dry for 5 people!  I try mind! 🙂  I use clothes airers and have one of the clothes lines you pull out inside.  But yes I will have to make a more concerted effort.  However its no different to any other time.  It seems for the 30 days I have been on the smart meter It's costing 1/3 more for that period.. sigh.  Everything is electricity in my house as Gas here is far too expensive as we can only use bottled gas.  So I did away with any gas appliances when I moved in.

Sadly I have a feeling my old meter was probably under reading. But thank you for your suggestion Amber 🙂

[punch*drunk]

Do you get any kind of discount on your bill? I rang them up and threatened to change suppliers and now I get nearly 20% off. My last bill was stil $1100 even after the discount 😞