Manage your electricity use and save money
We all want to spend less on the electricity that powers our home. We can start by shopping around for the best deal from our electricity provider. Once we have done that there are a number of simple steps we can take to save on our energy. Changing our behaviour by deciding when to use our appliances is the key.
Electricity retailers charge different rates depending on the time of day. Peak rates are the most expensive, while Off Peak rates are the lowest. Typically the Peak is between 3pm and 9pm, with Off Peak between 12am and 3pm, however these times can vary depending on your retailer. Check with your retailer or visit a website such as EnergySE for the times which apply to you. [https://energyse.com.au/utilities/off-peak-electricity-times/victoria].
Homes without solar
If you are connected to the grid without solar input, managing power use is generally straightforward: use your appliances during Off Peak times to save the most money and use them as little as possible during Peak times. Heating and cooling account for around 40% of household energy use, so by making the best use of Off-peak times to heat or cool our house will reduce your bills. For example, heat your home during the Off-peak so it is warm during the Peak and will need less heating than starting from cold at the beginning of the Peak. You can use a timer if you are not home.
Homes with solar
Homes with solar panels have slightly different choices to make, especially now that feed-in tariffs have dropped dramatically. Run everything you can during daylight hours, to make the best use of your investment. Monitoring the solar setup with an app means you can see how much power is being produced and decide which appliances to switch on, so you can avoid drawing power from the grid.
EV charging at home
Charging an EV at home is one way to reduce transport costs. To ensure you make the best (and cheapest) use of your home power, decide how to manage your EV charging. You can set your charging device to only charge when there is an excess of solar energy being produced, meaning it is essentially free. EVs can also be set to charge at specific times, so that even those without solar panels can charge their cars more cheaply during Off-peak hours.
Homes with a home battery
Adding a home battery allows for more flexibility, by charging from solar panels during the daytime. Your home system will draw on the battery once there is no daylight, helping you avoid drawing power during the evening Peak. You should still make as much use of daylight hours for appliance use as possible. Another useful aspect of having a home battery is the ability to import and store electricity from the grid during cheaper Off-peak times to use during the more expensive Peak.
Whether you have solar panels, a home battery or only grid connection, changing your behaviour and choosing when to run appliances is the most important step to managing your energy bills.
Websites to visit
Visit your retailer’s website for the latest information on your account, as well as accurate Peak and Off-peak times.
What is off-peak electricity?
https://www.energyaustralia.com.au/home/electricity-and-gas/compare-electricity-and-gas-plans/what-peak-electricity
Energyse
https://energyse.com.au/utilities/off-peak-electricity-times/victoria
For a deeper dive into electricity (and gas), pricing, visit the Essential Services Commission: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/electricity-and-gas/prices-tariffs-and-benchmarks/victorian-default-offer
Paul Gale-Baker