Your energy choices add up

Know the big energy users

Every home and business is different, but it’s useful to know some of the key places your electricity could be going, so that you can be clear on choices you might be able to make.

Picture: How most homes use electricity.

Understand how to benefit from using appliances at different times

Seeing the savings from energy efficiency in your bills isn’t just about what appliances you have. You may also be able to make savings by using them at the right time, if you have the right electricity plan.

If you have a digital or smart electricity meter capable of recording the time of day, you might be able to shift your energy usage to take advantage of lower prices at different times.

Time of use retail offers charge different prices for using energy at different times of the day and night.

• Peak rates generally apply at the time of day when there is the highest electricity demand, and so the rates are higher. This is often in the early morning and evening.  
• Off-peak rates apply at times of lower demand, typically overnight. These rates are lower and can benefit those who are able to move some of their electricity usage to occur during these times.
• Some off-peak rates might also be referred to as solar sponge rates. These apply during the daytime when there is more electricity available from renewable energy. These rates are typically the lowest priced and can benefit those who are able to move some of their electricity usage to occur during these times. 

Individual retailers will make their own decisions about when they apply peak and off-peak rates. They might also name them different things.

You can learn more about retail offers, and how to find the best one for you here: Your electricity bill explained.

When you replace an old appliance, make efficient choices

You may be eligible for a rebate when you buy an energy efficient appliance through the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS). 

The Scheme has been designed to improve household and business energy efficiency, as well as the efficiency of the electricity network as a whole. It is especially helpful for low-income households looking to save money on their power bills.

The REPS scheme offers rebates of hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, on supply and installation to upgrade to more energy efficient appliances in your home.

If you are classed as a Priority Customer – for example if you hold a concession card, healthcare card or you’re a pensioner – the rebate available to you could be up to 30% greater.

For information, and a full list of retailers and installers who participate in this scheme visit the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) website.

And you can learn how to understand the energy rating label on an appliance.

Generate some of what you need

South Australia has world-leading levels of rooftop solar. If you have been able to invest in solar on your home or business, one of the best ways to maximise your investment is to directly use what you generate, or to store it for times when the sun isn’t shining.

Small actions such as setting a timer on a dishwasher or washing machine may help to shift more of your electricity usage to the times it is being generated by your panels.

If you have a home battery, you might also be able to participate in a solar sharing scheme to receive benefits from your retailer.

Rebates to assist with installing solar are available through the SA Government Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

You can read more about Your Solar to learn how your solar energy system interact with the electricity network.

Store for high-demand times

For some people, a home battery could make financial sense – allowing you to charge it up when power is cheaper, for use when it’s not.   

The additional step of subscribing to a Virtual Power Plant allows you to share power from your battery when it’s in high-demand, and receive benefits from your retailer - such as upfront rebates, bill credits, or ongoing payments.

The best independent sources of information on whether a battery and/or subscribing to a VPP makes sense are:

• Energy Made Easy
• Solar Quotes
• There are upfront discounts available for the purchase of some batteries through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
• As well as incentives for connecting an eligible battery to a Virtual Power Plant on the ESCOSA website.

Charge your electric vehicle (EV) efficiently

Much like other household energy appliances, you may be considering whether an electric vehicle is more energy efficient for you.

Replacing the cost of petrol, and charging your EV at the right times, could have a big impact on your overall household bills.

It can be convenient to plug your vehicle in to charge at home overnight. But most EV users don’t need to do this every day. This means you can be selective about when and how quickly you charge your EV and wait for the time when you can take advantage of cheaper rates and available renewable energy. 

Most retailers offer plans which apply different energy usage prices at different times of day. This means it might be cheaper to charge your vehicle during the day when there is an abundance of solar energy across the network, even if you don’t have solar panels on your home.  

Avoid charging during the times of highest demand when you might be paying peak prices. This is typically in the early evening, or in the morning. The exact time that peak pricing applies is determined by each individual retailer. 

Avoiding these high-demand times to charge an electric vehicle also helps to avoid creating congestion on the network, making it work better for everyone. That in turn can contribute to lowering energy costs for all users. 

Talk to your retailer or refer to the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website to find out whether a time-of-use plan is best for you. You can learn more about some of the questions to ask your retailer on Your Electricity Bill Explained.

Wall-mounted chargers

If you are able to invest in a wall-mounted charger, it can make it easier to charge your vehicle at the cheapest times and make the most of available renewable energy. These chargers are also referred to as a level 2 or mode 3 smart charger. Some models include smart charging features that can help you manage when and how your vehicle charges. 

By communicating with other energy devices, smart chargers can: 

• Manage the time and rate of charging to take advantage of when electricity is cheaper 
• Manage charging around your other household energy use 
• Maximise the use of energy from your rooftop solar system 
• Integrate with a Home Energy Management System. These systems coordinate devices like pool pumps, electric hot water and home batteries. 

An EV charger is likely to be the largest electrical load in your home and may require its own dedicated circuit. Speak to an electrician about checking whether your home is suitable.

The electrician will also apply to SA Power Networks for approval to install a smart charger on your behalf.  

You can find more information on charging your EV at home in the Australian Electric Vehicle Council Guide.

Unlocking your battery on wheels 

Bi-directional charging is an emerging capability that allows electric vehicles to do more than just charge from the grid. With a compatible EV and bi-directional charger, the energy stored in the vehicle’s battery can be used in other ways. 

There are a few types of bidirectional charging:

• Vehicle-to-Load: allows you to power appliances form outlets within the vehicle 
• Vehicle-to-Home: allows your EV battery to supply power to your home, which may help you avoid peak electricity pricing or provide backup power during a blackout 
• Vehicle-to-Grid: allows energy stored in your EV battery to be exported back to the electricity grid 

SA Power Networks is the first electricity distributer in Australia to allow network connection of Vehicle-to-Grid chargers. We expect bi-directional charging capabilities to become a standard feature of EVs and smart chargers in the future.

Reduce energy wastage

Even small measures, as simple as sealing up air draughts or closing curtains, can contribute effectively to climate control in your home.

Learn tips to save on energy which might help to lower your energy bills.

If you are building or renovating your home, the design from the outset can play a big part in energy efficient heating and cooling. Orientation, insulation, shading and glazing are all things to consider.

You can find more about energy efficiency measures for designing your home on the Australian Government's Your Home website.