Basic meter records your total usage in kWh over a three-month billing period but does not record the cost of power at the time of use. When it comes to billing, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) provides Powerclub with “standard profile” that is applied to everyone with a basic meter. While the “standard profile” is adjusted up or down for your overall energy usage, it assumes you use electricity in exactly the same way as everyone else on a basic meter. As basic meters don’t recognise unique usage, you will still pay even if you go away for a holiday as it assumes everyone is the same and spreads your usage across every day in line with the “standard profile”.
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 five-minute intervals, and they also do this for solar export.
If there is a price spike event and you reduce your usage, with a smart meter we know you have reduced your usage when the price was high. If you have a basic meter, it only reduces your overall usage for the total billing period as it does not know specifically when you reduced your usage.
The converse is also true. If you accidently used a massive amount of power during a big price spike and little at other times it does not know that either, so in that case you would be in front!
Victoria converted almost all meters to Smart Meters before December 2018. Since then, only Smart Meters have been installed. Other States are installing them in new homes and updating older homes when people put on solar or the meter reaches its retirement age. If you want to control your result you are better off to have a Smart Meter.
While basic meter technology still works, they are an outdated technology. Smart Meters measure exactly how much energy you use at a moment in time, which is the way of the future, enabling you to be rewarded for what you do with energy.
Powerclub Members with basic meters will still get access to wholesale energy spot prices, but will not gain the same benefits from Load Shifting to avoid wholesale spot price spikes. To gain the most significant benefit of limiting your usage during high-priced events, you must have a Smart Meter.
Smart meters send information to Powerclub digitally and do not need to be read manually which cuts out meter reading fees and charges. Smart meters can also be turned on/off remotely when you are moving in and out of your property, resulting in cheaper connections and disconnections.
Upgrading to a Smart Meter can be a good investment and could help you save hundreds of dollars a year on your electricity bills. Powerclub's pass-through processes mean you'll pay the wholesale daily rate for your new meter, with no upfront charge. The cost will be added to your supply charge. The wholesale spot price difference for your upgrade will depend on the new network tariff and the charges from the Meter Data Coordinator who provide the actual meter and installation services to install your new meter. 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.
Give our Member Advocate Team a call to talk about upgrading your meter.
If we need to arrange for a third party to complete the metering or connection work, we will coordinate directly with them.
For South Australian customers, upgrading to a smart meter might mean changing your network tariffs.
On average, it takes around three weeks from receiving your request for 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
Timeframes for metering installations
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.
Find out how Powerclub could save you hundreds off your annual electricity bills. Our energy plans are incredibly popular, so it may take up to an hour for the kit to arrive. Hang in there - we'll get it to you asap!