ElectricKiwi

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106 posts

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#1433758 24-Nov-2015 10:10

Hmm, with 8% Hour of Power savings over the month I still only come ahead by $0.55 per month. Not jumping yet.

Dairyxox

1594 posts

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#1433764 24-Nov-2015 10:29

timmmay:
Dairyxox:
Athlonite: checked my Address and was told they couldn't provide me with service as I'm either not in a covered area or that I don't have a smart meter

then I read this ......
Major network coverage Powering throughout New Zealand.

I've also had this 'issue'. I'm in Tauranga, and they wont sign me up because I don't have smart meter, they also will not install a smart meter.

Their suggestion was that I should sign up with another provider (with no contract duration), and get them to install the smart meter. I thought this was pretty rude (to the poor company that invests in my smart meter), and wasn't keen.

Instead I've signed up with Nova, who have a very low rate too, plus will install a smart meter for me "when we're doing your area next".

When was this? They installed a smart meter for me six months ago, in Wellington. I suspect they have to sign up contractors to do this in each city.

Their initial suggestion to join another company then move to them was a bit dishonest.

It was about 2 months ago.

Dairyxox

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#1433766 24-Nov-2015 10:32

MikeB4:
Behodar: Just compared EK with TrustPower in Whakatane. Taking my last month's usage and rounding it up to the next hundred kWh, both ended up being the same price, down to the cent! It seems that EK will actually be more expensive than TrustPower in winter due to the higher per-kWh price.

I am with Trustpower and their prices always compete,

Compete with the most expensive players in the market?

I've taken a good look at www.powerswitch.org.nz and Trust power are always either the most expensive, or at best middle of the pack, even with the fabled EOY cheque/rebate.

MikeB4

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#1433775 24-Nov-2015 10:37

Dairyxox:
MikeB4:
Behodar: Just compared EK with TrustPower in Whakatane. Taking my last month's usage and rounding it up to the next hundred kWh, both ended up being the same price, down to the cent! It seems that EK will actually be more expensive than TrustPower in winter due to the higher per-kWh price.

I am with Trustpower and their prices always compete,

Compete with the most expensive players in the market?

I've taken a good look at www.powerswitch.org.nz and Trust power are always either the most expensive, or at best middle of the pack, even with the fabled EOY cheque/rebate.

Interesting, when I do it with my numbers etc it is always lower or so close to the others it not worth it to change

michaelmurfy

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#1433789 24-Nov-2015 10:55

So moving from Flick Electric to this I'll spend an extra $5.42 per month assuming I put 20% of my power use into the "power hour". The previous bill to this shows I'll be spending $10 more per month.

I guess Flick is working really well for me. Marketing on Electric Kiwi's part.

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simon14

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#1433819 24-Nov-2015 11:34

I've been using Electric Kiwi for about 5 months now and really love it. I signed my parents up a few months ago too and they are very happy.

Even if you don't use the free hour of power, the actual prices are very competitive (cheaper than energy online). And their prices all include GST ect so no having to work out the actual price.

The free hour of power is really cool too. We always put on our washing, dish washer ect at 10pm every night to make the most of this.

PPAP

41 posts

Geek

#1433859 24-Nov-2015 12:12

Is it possible or legal to swap the 2KW heating element in our water heater to a 4KW element? So it can heat pretty much all the hot water we need in an hour. LOL

Maybe that is a dream? 2KW/4KW not interchangeable? Cable loading capacity not enough for 4KW? Not allowed by law/code?

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Jase2985

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#1433932 24-Nov-2015 14:09

4kw is 16.6A, i would suggest you would need to upgrade your wiring and your circuit breaker for your water cylinder to cope.

So wouldn't be a straight swap

gzt

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#1433987 24-Nov-2015 16:00

PPAP:

Offtopic. Create a new topic for a full discussion of that. It's easy.

Jase2985

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#1433996 24-Nov-2015 16:27

i would need to save 8% in their hour of power to even start breaking even on what im currently paying

there is not a lot we could shift into any of those periods to save much there

Is there a way on the flick website to estimate what your bill will be?

ive use whatsmynumber and powerswitch but they are not that great

jonathan18

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#1434039 24-Nov-2015 18:10

Jase2985: i would need to save 8% in their hour of power to even start breaking even on what im currently paying

there is not a lot we could shift into any of those periods to save much there

Is there a way on the flick website to estimate what your bill will be?

ive use whatsmynumber and powerswitch but they are not that great

Not that I ever found. They do provide the costs of the other component costs such as lines charges (by region under pricing) but as their own rate is market plus margin they don't provide that. Give them a call and perhaps they can provide you with some comparisons based on your own usage.

I'm yet to read of members here who are paying more through Flick than with alternatives, but personally I'm not counting my chickens until they survive the coming summer.

Bobdn

222 posts

Master Geek

#1434103 24-Nov-2015 20:28

timmmay: You're not using Flick Electric @freitasm? I'm saving 25% compared with my previous supplier, I think it was genesis.

Depends on what sort of situation you're in I guess. Biggish family, gas central heating, gas hot water and cooking means a Genesis dual fuel and it's $129 per month all you can eat gas plan is hard to beat.

https://signup.genesisenergy.co.nz/gaspackages/

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#1434118 24-Nov-2015 20:52

According to EK's website I would save $0.00 ... hmm, no point changing then.

Aredwood

3885 posts

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#1434205 24-Nov-2015 23:15

Bobdn:
timmmay: You're not using Flick Electric @freitasm? I'm saving 25% compared with my previous supplier, I think it was genesis.

Depends on what sort of situation you're in I guess. Biggish family, gas central heating, gas hot water and cooking means a Genesis dual fuel and it's $129 per month all you can eat gas plan is hard to beat.

https://signup.genesisenergy.co.nz/gaspackages/

Now that is a cool plan. Im even more pissed off now that Natural gas is not available where I live. Even though where I live I can travel in any compass direction and I will end up somewhere that does have Natural gas available.

As for Flick Electric, Lately they have been running the coal fired generation at full capacity due to low flows to the hydro stations. Yet wholesale prices seem to be staying under 10c per kW/hr.

mad01

76 posts

Master Geek

#1434823 25-Nov-2015 21:07

I've been with them for a few months.

I think they're fine but I do agree that their website is average. My bills seem to be cheaper than with my previous supplier (Just Energy).

I don't think there's any contract so you can leave whenever... I'm saving about 6% with the free hour which isn't that great but better than nothing!

For info, my rates in Christchurch:

Your current electricity rates are:

Pay for what you use:
$0.23 per kWh;

Plus a fixed cost of:
$0.84 per day

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