Why should you upgrade to a Smart Meter

Basic Meters record your total usage in kWh over a three-month billing period but don't record the cost of power at the time you used it. While Basic Meter technology still works, as with all outdated technology, it will ultimately become a cost to you because you don't use power at a consistent level across the day and wholesale energy prices are not flat - they change every 30-minutes.

Smart Meters measure how much energy you use at the time you use it, so we can match that against the cost of wholesale electricity at the time. Some can record down to 15 or even five-minute intervals, and they also do this for solar export.

Powerclub Members with Basic Meters will still get access to wholesale energy prices, but will not gain the same benefits by Load Shifting to avoid wholesale price spikes. You can lower your consumption amount during high prices, but unless you reduce your overall usage, AEMO will continue to assume you use electricity in the same pattern as everyone else, which will include high price periods. To gain the most significant benefits of limiting your usage during high priced events, you must have a Smart Meter.

What does it cost?

Upgrading to a Smart Meter is a good investment, and could help you save hundreds of dollars a year on your electricity bills. Powerclub's no-profit processes mean you'll pay wholesale for your new meter. The cost will be split into a manageable daily amount added to your supply charge. The wholesale price of your upgrade will depend on your Network, plan and your metering requirements. The most common Smart Meter is a Single Phase, One Element (1P1E) meter.

To find out exactly how much a Smart Meter upgrade will cost you, give our Member Advocate Team a call.

How to upgrade your meter?

Give our Member Advocate Team a call to talk about upgrading your meter.

Where we need to arrange for a third party to complete the metering or connection work, we will coordinate directly with them.

Metering Installation Time Frames

On average, it takes around three weeks from receiving your request to installation. During the Covid-19 lockdown, you may experience a longer than usual installation timeframe.

Average Installation Time Frames

• For residential Members - as soon as is possible and no later than 15 business days after notification of the fault has been received.
• For type 1-3 metering installations - as soon as is possible and no later than two business days after notification of the fault has been received.
• For all other metering installations - as soon as is possible and no later than ten business days after notification of the fault has been received.

These metering installation time frames are for Members in New South Wales, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. Most Victorian Members will already have a Smart Meter.