Alternative Technology Assn Forums

1. 

   cool at home
   Member

   I'm unable to answer a query for a HH with very large electricity bill (very large house too), who has electric HWS and pool filter that are both running on standard rate electricity but which could run overnight. Householder is exploring options for decreasing electricity usage, but also prepared to pay for addition/change of meter to off-peak or TOU.

   Electric HWS is in pretty good nick so owner not wanting to replace it at this time, though will upgrade to solar electric boost when the time comes.

   Questions are:
   1. Can home owners request (and pay for) change to meter to TOU? (NB: Outer Sydney area). I believe anyone can currently request an additional meter be installed (at their cost) for HWS to run off-peak. Please correct latter comment if wrong.
   2. Can pool filter be put on off-peak along with the HWS? (NB: Semi-rural property, no noise problems with operating at night)
   3. Does TOU meter automatically mean the HWS will only boost off-peak, or to enable that must an additional off-peak meter be installed?

   Many thanks

   Posted Saturday 29 May 2010 @ 2:57:33 pm from IP #
2. 

   Inspector
   Member

   Name of Distributor is required to be able to answer this... I know you said "outer Sydney", but that doesn't necessarily imply western Sydney.

   1. I know Integral Energy only have disc meters, but don't know if they will specifically install a TOU meter if requested by the customer. If not, then the only option to save money would be to install an off-peak meter for the hot water. I'm not sure if they fund the cost of the meter, or if you do as it was at your request.

   2. Some distributors allow pool pumps (particularly heat-pumps) to be connected to their off-peak hot water meter. You would need to check with them first.

   3. TOU meter would require the customer to arrange an electrician to install a timer to turn the hot water on and off, usually so the water is heated during the cheapest of the TOU price brackets. Because it's not a separate off-peak meter controlled by the distributor, the customer would also be allowed to have installed a "bypass" switch to make the hot water come on anytime they want for instant heating (probably not an issue with a regular storage tank, but if there's lots of people living there, then this may be feasible). Alternatively, the occupants could be instructed to only turn the hot water on after 10pm at night (or whenever the cheapest price bracket starts).

   Posted Saturday 29 May 2010 @ 10:40:20 pm from IP #
3. 

   alfresco24
   Member

   This is a general answer. In NSW you can get off-peak-1 or off-peak-2 for HWS where OP-1 is true off-peak in so far as you have a separate meter with time switch that only turns on between midnight and 7am, but also includes a bypass button that allows you to go to meter box and 'boost' the water heat if you need it. OP-1 tariff is around $0.08/kWh but the boost power can cost up to $0.24/kWh
   OP-2 also uses a dedicated meter but doesnt have a time switch and can heat your water whenever needed automatically. OP-2 costs around $0.11/kWh
   Personally I would never go on TOU as long as I work from home and use a fair amount of energy throughout the day.
   The distributor not the retailer manages the connection of meters on its network so you should consult with Country Energy or whoever it is in your area about metering options and costs.

   Posted Sunday 30 May 2010 @ 1:32:52 am from IP #
4. 

   Solgen
   Member

   A correction with regard to NSW power tariffs. They do vary between providers but this is the rules for Energy Aust.
   OP1 is available from 10pm to 7am, but the electricity provider will control it so that it is only available for 8 hours per day. In my case we have TOU meter which has an inbuilt controller that operates the OP timer from 10.30pm to 6.30am.
   You cannot get an additional boost unless you have a twin element hot water system. The 2nd element is at the top of the tank will only heat around 60litres, but will cut in at any time that the thermostat shows low water temp. Power for the boost is still at OP1 rates independent of the time of day, this may vary between providers.
   It may be possible to boost at any time at a standard tariff but I don't know if EA allows it.
   OP2 is at a higher rate but as well as the 8 hour overnight boost also provides a daytime boost of up to 6 hours. The timing of the daytime boost is controlled by the electricity supplier. It it not available 24 hours a day.

   Posted Sunday 30 May 2010 @ 7:39:54 am from IP #
5. 

   Inspector
   Member

   EA's OP2 is from midnight to 5pm.

   Posted Sunday 30 May 2010 @ 10:17:52 am from IP #
6. 

   alfresco24
   Member

   Thanks for the additional comments about the various subtle differences in tarrif plans in NSW where 3 distributors (EA,CE & Integral) share the entire territory among themselves and the other retailers, with a mix of tarrif types. Consumers need to get to know how to go shopping for the right appliances and tarrif's that suit their personal circumstances. Unfortunately the utilities make it harder and harder to understand all their options.

   Posted Monday 31 May 2010 @ 6:22:28 am from IP #
7. 

   cool at home
   Member

   Thanks all - very helpful

   Posted Thursday 3 Jun 2010 @ 3:45:14 am from IP #

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