Time to give electricity the flick?

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100 posts

Master Geek

#2032886 10-Jun-2018 10:13

"What’s the day rate like? My peak usage is between 4pm and 10pm on weekdays. "

My latest Genesis bill shows 29.27c/kW/h (excluding GST). Then you can apply the 10% discount to get a final figure. Day rate starts 7AM to 9PM so it doesn't matter when you cook your meals. If you need to cook at 5pm when everyone else is cooking, be happy that you know it's the same price. What I DO like is the weekends which ALL DAY is the same night rate pricing. Which means you're only paying 29.27 rate on 5 out of 7 days in the week.

pogo: agree, Flick's pricing schedule for Christchurch residents is confusing as hell. When I was with Flick, it didn't matter what the spot rate was because the actual price I did pay was like 2 or 3 times that in winter months. Then you add the sur-charge rates at different hours in the day. VERY confusing. I remember last year using their app, I nearly fell off the chair every time the spot rate would spike over $1.50 per kwh. I mean the kids need to have their breakfast and lunch, so do I go tell them "Uhm. you'll have to wait because electricity is too expensive now..."

I'm sure Flick suits those that can work around the peak power times but for a growing family... that's not acceptable. We live our lives with set schedules when to eat. No way i'm telling the family we can't roast the pork or chicken in the oven because of a massive spot price hike.

kingjj

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#2032892 10-Jun-2018 10:24

pogo: God damn Flick's pricing schedule is confusing. I'm in Christchurch on the high user plan. I pay

5.886c fixed + spot OFF PEAK (9pm-7am weekdays and all weekend)
23.089c fixed + spot WINTER PEAK (7am-10am & 5pm-7pm May-August)
14.009c fixed + spot NORMAL (all other times)

This winter, this translates to roughly 8-12c off peak, 19-24c normal, and 30c upwards winter peak (tends to shoot up only when there's a cold snap).

We have a gas heater that usually gets turned on in winter peak times, just so we don't need to worry.

One of the best decisions we've made recently was to move out of Orion's service area (to Main Power). No ridiculous peak surcharges that seem to change every other year and no double dipping on the peak surcharges for half the year - just a simple all inconclusive network charge with a small daily charge (8.290 cents per kWh and 15c per day +GST). With Ecotricity we then pay 9.770 cents per kWh for usage and a reasonable daily charge. When we were with Orion it took a reasonably complicated spreadsheet and an evening just to compare different offerings. I really feel that Orion need to look at simplifying their charging schedule as their peak surcharges have little impact at reducing load for the majority of residential users that are still on traditional inclusive billing but punish those who are cost+ billing.

Life is a lot less stressful this winter compared to last when we were on Flick. My wife doesn't have to check the power price everytime she wants to boil the jug and we are actually able to use the heat pump which we didn't use for 3 months last winter.

Edit: Just did the math using usage data from last May and this May to compare prices. With Ecotricity we would have paid an extra $11.42 over Flick. May last year was the last month where we made 'positive' savings with Flick before we left in August. We were losing -14% on average in June 2017.

timmmay

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#2032933 10-Jun-2018 11:25

In Wellington on EK we pay a flat rate of 19.56c/kwh inc GST. Wonder why Chch is so much more expensive given most of the power is generated down there. Recovering earthquake rebuild costs perhaps?

SBQ

100 posts

Master Geek

#2032938 10-Jun-2018 11:47

timmmay:

In Wellington on EK we pay a flat rate of 19.56c/kwh inc GST. Wonder why Chch is so much more expensive given most of the power is generated down there. Recovering earthquake rebuild costs perhaps?

Well moving outside the Orion network is not an option if you plan to live in Christchurch. As a matter of interest, Orion Network is owned exclusively by the Chch City Council so you can be sure they want to milk as much revenue from their rate payers as much as possible. They don't even have incentives for those wanting to install Solar PV despite how our mayor believes in the green revolution and electric cars. Our rates have increased over 10% a year for the past 3 years in effort to keep the city's books stable from the excessive debt borrowings for earthquake repairs.

Glad to have gone back to Genesis considering their prices are very competitive. I mean to save a few bucks a week over having to change your whole day to day routine. As the previous post, checking power prices before you go boil the jug? LMAO !!!

tdgeek

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#2032963 10-Jun-2018 11:53

Im on EK in ChCh 24.52c per kWh and 82c daily charge. Incl GST My free hour of power is about 12% so that equals a net discount. Might look elsewhere. If Genesis offers a low weekend rate, thats a biggie.

Or might ask family if we can operate on UK time....

Edit, added Incl GST

nickb800

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#2033163 10-Jun-2018 17:47

Well for an alternative perspective I was grateful for the granular pricing on Orion with Flick. Yes winter peak was expensive, but with such a cheap off peak rate (3 cents) you stood to save a lot on power consumed power overnight/in weekends.

I'm on Electra in Kapiti now, where peak runs 7-11am, 5-9pm and continues throughout the weekend - compare with 7-10am and 5-7pm on Orion with offpeak all weekend. Furthermore, Electra's peak rate applies all year round, whereas Orion's charge only runs for winter weekdays. And Electra's peak rate is more expensive than Orions! And most of Electra's network is overhead so you can expect power outages at least once a year in winter storms.

@Timmay et al I think these guys are comparing low user rates, EK suggests a normal user rate of 21cents in Chch. Chch has one of the most reliable, resilient and underground networks in the country. There is a slightly elevated charge for increasing resilience post earthquake. Lines companies face a pretty tight regulatory regime, so they can't just charge what they like to suit their shareholders (e.g. Christchurch City Council). In fact, they had to argue with the Commerce Commission to invest in earthquake strengthening of their substations pre-earthquake, which led to quick recovery of electricity after the 2010/11 earthquakes in many areas.

mAYH3M

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Master Geek

#2033454 11-Jun-2018 02:18

SBQ:
"What’s the day rate like? My peak usage is between 4pm and 10pm on weekdays. "

My latest Genesis bill shows 29.27c/kW/h (excluding GST). Then you can apply the 10% discount to get a final figure. Day rate starts 7AM to 9PM so it doesn't matter when you cook your meals. If you need to cook at 5pm when everyone else is cooking, be happy that you know it's the same price. What I DO like is the weekends which ALL DAY is the same night rate pricing. Which means you're only paying 29.27 rate on 5 out of 7 days in the week.

pogo: agree, Flick's pricing schedule for Christchurch residents is confusing as hell. When I was with Flick, it didn't matter what the spot rate was because the actual price I did pay was like 2 or 3 times that in winter months. Then you add the sur-charge rates at different hours in the day. VERY confusing. I remember last year using their app, I nearly fell off the chair every time the spot rate would spike over $1.50 per kwh. I mean the kids need to have their breakfast and lunch, so do I go tell them "Uhm. you'll have to wait because electricity is too expensive now..."

I'm sure Flick suits those that can work around the peak power times but for a growing family... that's not acceptable. We live our lives with set schedules when to eat. No way i'm telling the family we can't roast the pork or chicken in the oven because of a massive spot price hike.

So for me Genesis would be way more expensive than Ecotricity between 16:00 - 21:00 on weekdays (26.35cents vs 22.6 cents).

heapsort

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#2033457 11-Jun-2018 05:56

Just adding one data point about Flick in Christchurch with their special Winter surcharge to cover Orion's rather strange peak demand costs scheme: most recent weekly bill was $38 for 178 units. I'm on the low user plan (although probably now on track to use slightly more than the threshold of 9000 kWh/year) so the fixed daily charge is about $2.50 of each week's bill. Subtracting that leaves $35.50 for 178 units which is an average of about 20 cents per kWh including GST.

The peak winter surcharge, which adds around 10 cents/kWh during 7-10am and 5-7pm on weekdays, has little effect in our household because we're early risers, up and ready for work/uni/school before the morning one hits at 7am, and we just limit 5-7pm electric use within reason. Oven use mostly on weekends and simpler stovetop or microwave evening meals on weekdays, for example. Also overnight timers for the dishwasher and PHEV charging.

SBQ

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Master Geek

#2033458 11-Jun-2018 06:01

So for me Genesis would be way more expensive than Ecotricity between 16:00 - 21:00 on weekdays (26.35cents vs 22.6 cents).

Yes 3.75 cents/kW/hr way more expensive in those 5 hours. You might not see any savings going to Genesis if you can't take advantage of the 10.95c night and weekend rate.

Can anyone in Christchurch tell me if Flick night rates have been consistently less than 10.95c/kW/hr (excl. GST) ??? Just curious if this winter season would turn out drastically less than last year.

tdgeek

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#2033470 11-Jun-2018 07:42

With all this wintery and powery company stuff I thought Id look around, with EK, in ChCh. But, alas, I queried why my bill was higher than my address check a while back, and was told I can go on a 12 month term for a lower rate. .2452c per kWh 82c per day to .2298c and 84c

I now check my bill, the rates haven't changed

So, can I choose to get my credit for the error, or treat myself as not on contract?

timmmay

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#2033474 11-Jun-2018 08:01

tdgeek:

With all this wintery and powery company stuff I thought Id look around, with EK, in ChCh. But, alas, I queried why my bill was higher than my address check a while back, and was told I can go on a 12 month term for a lower rate. .2452c per kWh 82c per day to .2298c and 84c

I now check my bill, the rates haven't changed

So, can I choose to get my credit for the error, or treat myself as not on contract?

That really seems like a question for the vendor.

tdgeek

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#2033476 11-Jun-2018 08:21

timmmay:

tdgeek:

With all this wintery and powery company stuff I thought Id look around, with EK, in ChCh. But, alas, I queried why my bill was higher than my address check a while back, and was told I can go on a 12 month term for a lower rate. .2452c per kWh 82c per day to .2298c and 84c

I now check my bill, the rates haven't changed

So, can I choose to get my credit for the error, or treat myself as not on contract?

That really seems like a question for the vendor.

Yes, I will go on a chat with them, but right now, pricing wise, I am not on the cheaper deal or contract. Or, they have records, and see the mistake, and the only option is a credit and update the price. I dont recall an email about it, I changed on Live Chat, but I do recall the 12 months and she said it will take effect next bill. If they fix it, that's fine. If they dont I'm looking at Genesis

markp

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#2033672 11-Jun-2018 13:43

SBQ:

So for me Genesis would be way more expensive than Ecotricity between 16:00 - 21:00 on weekdays (26.35cents vs 22.6 cents).

Yes 3.75 cents/kW/hr way more expensive in those 5 hours. You might not see any savings going to Genesis if you can't take advantage of the 10.95c night and weekend rate.

Can anyone in Christchurch tell me if Flick night rates have been consistently less than 10.95c/kW/hr (excl. GST) ??? Just curious if this winter season would turn out drastically less than last year.

I'm using a battery system where in the peak weekdays (7am-9pm Mon-Fri) the house cuts over to battery only (and solar if available) and charges up in the off-peak rates. averaged over the last couple of weeks my total flick costs (including daily and GST) were 10.7cents so not looking too bad, the only cheaper option would be the Meridian EV plan at 9.3cents.

tdgeek

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#2033715 11-Jun-2018 14:55

Amosnz:

michaelmurfy:

I just had a doorknocker from Meridian - offered me the following:

33c daily charge.
23c/unit (after GST) fixed for 3 years and
12% Prompt Payment discount.
No contract.

I may need to look over my figures but this is quite a good deal.

That almost seems like a low user daily rate paired with a high user unit rate, in which case should be quite competitive.

Thats what I thought too. Genesis, someone here said their weekday night and all weekend was about 11 or 12c

Aredwood

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#2033842 11-Jun-2018 18:37

tdgeek:
Amosnz:

michaelmurfy:

I just had a doorknocker from Meridian - offered me the following:

33c daily charge.
23c/unit (after GST) fixed for 3 years and
12% Prompt Payment discount.
No contract.

I may need to look over my figures but this is quite a good deal.

That almost seems like a low user daily rate paired with a high user unit rate, in which case should be quite competitive.

Thats what I thought too. Genesis, someone here said their weekday night and all weekend was about 11 or 12c

That is definitely a low user rate. You can tell as the daily charge is 33c. The unit costs are always more expensive with such rates, as 33c per day is nowhere near enough to pay for the fixed costs of operating the national grid, local lines networks, metering, and admin costs involved in running a power system.

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