What is a smart meter?
Smart meters are two-way digital meters that measure and record electricity usage (per kWh) every 30 minutes. This data is automatically sent to the electricity distributor or energy retailer.
Do I have a smart meter:
All households in Victoria already have a smart meter installed by their distributor, following a mandatory rollout completed in 2014.
Outside of Victoria, retailers and distributors may offer smart meters as part of their package, or regulatory led initiatives.
How can I access information from my smart meter?
Some retailers offer their customers access to their usage information via an app or a web page: it will show how much energy you use and what hours or days you use more. Some will even show if your solar panels are generating electricity, if you are exporting to the grid, charging your house battery or your car. This can help you change your energy usage behaviour and save on your bill.
Sumo does not provide this service at this stage and we are currently developing an app and webpage for our customers. During this time check if your distributor offers these functionalities. Your distributor can be found in the top right hand corner of your bill.
How can a smart meter help save me money?
Thanks to smart meter, you can access detailed and up-to-date information about your energy usage. Typically you will pay a higher rate for energy use in peak times and a lower rate in off-peak times.
Smart meter data can help you identify your usage pattern between the peak and off peak times, and which appliances use more energy.
The appliances you should consider shifting to off-peak times are those which use lots of energy and do not need to be on all the time, such as:
- washing machines
- dryers
- dishwashers
- hot water heaters (often set to operate during off-peak time)
- pool pumps
Many of those appliances already have time delay functions, so you do not have to wait until 22:00 (23:00 in non daylight savings time) or wake up before dawn to switch them on.
If you are willing to change your energy usage behaviour we have electricity plans to suit your needs and lifestyle.
More information give us a call on 03 9102 8400.