Q about power companies and seasonal plan changes to minimise electricity charges

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Hatch

816 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 57

#213910 18-Apr-2017 15:16

I keep finding myself missing out on changing home electricity plans (not provider) to minimise costs.

I am currently on a standard user plan and if I had changed it to a low user plan from November I would've saved at least $50.00 a month. I have increased power consumption from the last month so I should meet the standard plan threshold which is around 660 kwh for this and future months going into winter.

Does anyone know of a provider who provides ongoing automated assessments of whether you are on the right power plan?

sparky1685

88 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20

#1766870 18-Apr-2017 16:40

I looked into doing this by going on to a low user plan every summer, but discovered that there is a charge (at least where I am) for changing plans more than once in a 12 month period.

cadman

1014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557
Inactive user

#1767195 19-Apr-2017 10:52

Mercury do it on a 12-month basis - they even credit you the difference if you would have been better off on a different plan.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1041

Trusted

Vocus

#1767207 19-Apr-2017 11:13

I think most companies only let you change every 12 months. But some have different policies. You need to call your company and see what they say IMO. If you're willing to switch companies over it, that's another option you might have (unless you're on a contract)

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557

#1767231 19-Apr-2017 11:53

Where are you based? Be interested to know what you are paying for a daily charge + your power pricing per unit

Hatch

816 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 57

#1767240 19-Apr-2017 12:04

I thought I'd posted a reply this morning, but somehow it didn't stick.

My provider is Pulse and they are fine with changing plans. I did a estimate based price-check with Mercury and they are slightly cheaper than Pulse, so there is probably no good reason not to switch. The Mercury approach sounds very proactive and you could easily save $50-$100 a month if your are on the right plan.

I'm in Auckland, my rates for my last bill:

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1749

#1767653 20-Apr-2017 01:43

@Hatch What is your units usage per year? As if it is less than 8000 units just switch to low user and enjoy the savings. Note also that the low user regulations use yearly calculations. Which is why Mercury use a yearly basis, And the regulations also say that the power companies have to do yearly reviews and check if you are on the best plan. So the only thing that Mercury are doing beyond what the rules require, is offering to refund due to wrong plan.

Im in the same situation as you, less than 660 units during summer and more during winter. But im also on standard user, as it helps to keep the bill amounts more consistent summer Vs winter. And the regulations make a fixed assumption for the split of day and night rate power for those plan types. (and don't even specify what split should be used for peak / offpeak plans) So some people with high ratios of offpeak or night rate. Will still be cheaper overall being on standard user, despite using less than 8000 units per year.

When I was still with Contact Energy, They sent me that letter saying that I should switch to low user as my yearly usage was less than 8000 units per year. But they didn't say that their normal low user rate worked out more expensive than the special contract standard user rate I was on. (part of a fixed term contract).