If you don’t already have a smart meter at your home or business, chances are you’ll get one soon. As part of Australia’s plan to modernise its energy system, smart meters will be rolled out across the country by 2030.
So what are they and why are they important? Let’s take a closer took.
A smart or digital meter is a device that measures your electricity use approximately every 30 minutes and sends this information back to your energy provider at the end of each day.
Smart meters help you manage your electricity use and bills and give way to new and better service options. They also make the energy system more efficient and may help lower costs and emissions, helping households and businesses get closer to zero emissions.
Four benefits of smart meters:
1. Manage your energy usage actively
A smart meter lets you understand and manage when and how you use electricity. And with handy online tools like the AGL app or My Account, you can view timely data updated every 1-3 business days – instead of waiting until your next bill arrives. So you can quickly spot any trends and opportunities to help save.
If you find you’re using a lot of electricity during peak times, think about what small changes you can make to reduce your energy costs without impacting your lifestyle. They may be as simple as turning down your heating to 19 degrees instead of 21 or doing your washing outside peak hours.
And at AGL, when you reduce your home energy use during peak hours, you could also earn $10 in bill credits through our Peak Energy Rewards. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
2. Pay for exactly what you use
A traditional, manual electricity meter only records the total electricity you use over three months – making charges less accurate. With regular, 30-minute updates, smart meters take the guesswork out of your electricity usage, so you pay for exactly what you use.
And because smart meters send information straight to your provider, they also cut meter reading fees and charges from your bill. Connection and disconnection fees are also lower, because smart meters can be turned off and on remotely.
3. Get power back faster after a failure
Smart meters can pick up any electricity supply issues quickly and notify your energy supplier before you even notice something’s not right. This means typically outages get fixed faster and you have less downtime.
4. Make the most of solar
If you’re thinking about installing solar on your roof, the data smart meters provide can help you decide what size system you need for your home.
Solar panels and batteries require a smart meter, to make sure you’re getting the most out of your system. Smart meters give you access to different energy tariffs and allow you to use the energy your solar produces before selling any excess to the grid.
The easiest way is to check your electricity box. If you live in a standalone house, your meter will likely be outside attached to a wall, on the front porch or at the back of the house. Or if it’s inside, it might be in your hallway, at the front of the house or garage.
Meters in apartments could be in the basement, carpark, a cabinet on your floor or under your kitchen sink.
Once you find your meter, check its display. If it’s digital, you have a smart meter.
How much does a smart meter cost?There are no upfront costs for standard installations of upgrading your meter to a smart meter. However, if there are any complications with the installation and your installer needs to do extra site-specific work, you may be charged an additional fee.
How do I get a smart meter?
If you’re building a new house or your existing meter fails, you’ll be offered a smart meter as a default. But if you simply want to upgrade your existing meter, just reach out to your energy provider.
If you’re with AGL, give us a call on 1800 680 430 or visit our digital meters page for more information.
The information in this article is general in nature and provided for informational purposes only. Actual energy savings and benefits from smart meters may vary depending on individual usage patterns, tariff structures, and household appliances. Customers should contact their energy provider for advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
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