Time to give electricity the flick?

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178 posts

Master Geek
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#1603143 2-Aug-2016 18:18

luckiestmanalive:

Flick should provide a separate notification for high forecast prices as it would show you how long a high price event might last.

The driver behind Tuesday was a sub-optimal demand forecast, the forecast prices in the short and long schedules gave no hint and it was only in the real time (five minute) and the schedules produced inside the trading period this was seen. Five Minute prices occasionally spike anyway as a result of plant ramping on and off - it's difficult to know how long these events will last. Especially when there is no forewarning.

timmmay

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#1603219 2-Aug-2016 20:54

Just got my bill. Average savings this week: 4%. My savings this week: 30%. My bill was the same as always, around $40. The benefits of having heat pump and hot water on timers (and leaving home early). Note that the payback period for the hot water timer is quite long, probably 2 years, based on data for the past few years, so don't rush out and do it without thinking your situation through. I have data for 3 years (happy to share) and I compared it with our usage pattern using a simple spreadsheet.

jamesrobert

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#1603352 3-Aug-2016 09:35

Last five day totals from Electric Kiwi:

Power usage paid for: 62.75 KWh

Hour of Power usage: 75.99 KWh

insulated house, bit of living area heatpump in the morning, bedroom heatpump set at 16 degrees 24/7.

richms

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#1603354 3-Aug-2016 09:37

16 degrees in the bedroom? I would be on cooling to achieve that!

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

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#1603363 3-Aug-2016 09:48

18 degrees is the recommended minimum temperature. A lot of kiwis really don't heat their homes well, which along with our poor building standards may contribute to high rate of respiratory illness. We aim for 20 - 22 for the bedroom in winter, living areas 21 - 23. In the UK my wife kept her house around 23 - 25 using central heating.

Wills1

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#1603377 3-Aug-2016 10:10

I'm getting more tempted to go gas, and save on hot water heating. I have a small 135L low pressure cylinder. Family of three just me and my two primary school aged kids. I'm used to low pressure now but more water volume will be needed especially as the kids get older and use more water. The idea of an infinity system is tempting. My usual daily spend with flick is around $5 per day or under.

I know I'll end up spending just as much on gas but the idea of longer hotter showers is great!

KrazyKid

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#1603380 3-Aug-2016 10:16

jamesrobert: Last five day totals from Electric Kiwi:

Power usage paid for: 62.75 KWh

Hour of Power usage: 75.99 KWh

insulated house, bit of living area heatpump in the morning, bedroom heatpump set at 16 degrees 24/7.

I wish I didn't like Character homes. 1938 Art Deco house leaks heat like a sieve :(
Will have to keep slowly insulating it bit by bit.

timmmay

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#1603397 3-Aug-2016 10:32

Wills1:

I'm getting more tempted to go gas, and save on hot water heating. I have a small 135L low pressure cylinder. Family of three just me and my two primary school aged kids. I'm used to low pressure now but more water volume will be needed especially as the kids get older and use more water. The idea of an infinity system is tempting. My usual daily spend with flick is around $5 per day or under.

I know I'll end up spending just as much on gas but the idea of longer hotter showers is great!

A larger electric cylinder will do this as well as a gas instant system, within reason. 250-300L tank, I have mine in my huge ceiling space. Gas has a daily charge, unless you use bottled. There are big threads on gas and hot water heating.

Wills1

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#1603409 3-Aug-2016 10:51

timmmay:

Wills1:

I'm getting more tempted to go gas, and save on hot water heating. I have a small 135L low pressure cylinder. Family of three just me and my two primary school aged kids. I'm used to low pressure now but more water volume will be needed especially as the kids get older and use more water. The idea of an infinity system is tempting. My usual daily spend with flick is around $5 per day or under.

I know I'll end up spending just as much on gas but the idea of longer hotter showers is great!

A larger electric cylinder will do this as well as a gas instant system, within reason. 250-300L tank, I have mine in my huge ceiling space. Gas has a daily charge, unless you use bottled. There are big threads on gas and hot water heating.

It would be bottled gas, as I don't have gas on the street. Need to weigh up the costs I guess. I understand it would be cheaper to upgrade to a larger capacity electric cylinder, however I'm unsure of the cost's of bottled Gas.

mentalinc

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#1603426 3-Aug-2016 11:13

timmmay:

Just got my bill. Average savings this week: 4%. My savings this week: 30%. My bill was the same as always, around $40. The benefits of having heat pump and hot water on timers (and leaving home early). Note that the payback period for the hot water timer is quite long, probably 2 years, based on data for the past few years, so don't rush out and do it without thinking your situation through. I have data for 3 years (happy to share) and I compared it with our usage pattern using a simple spreadsheet.

Don't share the data publically or with randoms...

It shows the patterns you're not at home for. You may run into trouble with insurance if the unfortunate was to happen.

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Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

timmmay

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#1603429 3-Aug-2016 11:17

mentalinc:

Don't share the data publically or with randoms...

It shows the patterns you're not at home for. You may run into trouble with insurance if the unfortunate was to happen.

I was offering to share the market price data, not my usage data, but that's a good point. However most people probably follow similar patterns around when they're home / out so it's not like it's that critical.

Jeeves

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#1603434 3-Aug-2016 11:27

The spikes on the 26th July cost me $31. Ouch.

luckiestmanalive

54 posts

Master Geek
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#1603436 3-Aug-2016 11:31

voy1d:

luckiestmanalive:

Flick should provide a separate notification for high forecast prices as it would show you how long a high price event might last.

The driver behind Tuesday was a sub-optimal demand forecast, the forecast prices in the short and long schedules gave no hint and it was only in the real time (five minute) and the schedules produced inside the trading period this was seen. Five Minute prices occasionally spike anyway as a result of plant ramping on and off - it's difficult to know how long these events will last. Especially when there is no forewarning.

Short schedule out at the beginning of the high prices estimated the price remarkably accurately and noted those prices would last for three trading periods. That would have been extremely useful information.

jamesrobert

90 posts

Master Geek
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#1603493 3-Aug-2016 12:35

"16 degrees in the bedroom? I would be on cooling to achieve that!"

Article from the BBC. "How Warm is Your Hom?"

Living room temperatures

18-21C - comfortable temperature
9-12 or 24+C: Risk of stroke and heart attack
21-24C or 16-18C - some discomfort
12-16C - risk of respiratory disease
Under 9C - risk of hypothermia

And for bedrooms, you'll be far more comfortable while you're asleep if it is about 14 or 15C

timmmay

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#1603496 3-Aug-2016 12:41

Each to their own, but I find I need the room at least 18 degrees, if not 20 - 21 degrees. If you like heaps of covers that may be different. For babies I believe the range is 16-20 degrees, with 18 being ideal.

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