Why should you use 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 While Basic Meter technology still works, as with all outdated technology, it will ultimately become a cost to you because you don't use power at a consistent level across the day and wholesale energy spot prices are not flat - they change every 5-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 spot 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.

Click here to find out how much a Smart Meter upgrade will cost, or give us 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.

Getting your electricity connected or making changes to your electricity connection can be a challenging process. At Powerclub, we will work towards providing you with a smooth transition.

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

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.

Timeframes for metering installations

• For new connections — the retailer must arrange for the meter to be installed by a date agreed with the customer or, if no date is agreed, no later than six business days after being informed that the connection service is complete.
• For simple meter exchanges for which a connection service or alteration is not required—the retailer must arrange for the meter to be installed by a date agreed with the customer or, if no date is agreed, no later than 15 business days after receiving the customer’s request.
• For complex meter exchanges for which a connection service or alteration is required—the retailer must arrange for the meter to be installed by a date agreed with the customer and the distributor (where the distributor is providing the connection alteration) or, if no date is agreed, no later than 15 business days after the retailer received the request from the customer. The retailer must inform the distributor of the request no later than the next business day after receiving it. Where the distributor is providing the connection alteration, it must coordinate with the retailer and other relevant parties to allow the retailer to comply with these obligations.

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.