SAVE ON DEMAND

Not all energy consumption is created equal. First, electricity prices vary by the time of day. This is relatively new. Most homes still have a “dumb” meter, but more are getting “smart” meters, which can measure power being consumed at any time. These are the norm in Victoria and have paved the way for “time of use” pricing.

During peak demand — typically mid-afternoon to mid-evening — prices are highest. While we are asleep they are the cheapest. The rest of the time they are in between, but lower than what they have been on flat-rate tariffs.

This brings us to the second way not all energy consumption is equal.

It’s hard to vary the time at which you cook or watch TV. But you can vary when you run the dishwasher, dryer or pool pump — unless your council bans pool pumps at night.

If you can move consumption out of peak periods, you’ll save.

So, when no one is at home during the day, it makes sense — and dollars — to take advantage of the price variation.