Power up
Understanding your energy
There’s that email or letter you’ve been dreading – your power bill. Rising energy costs have been pummelling household budgets, and checking the latest ‘amount due’ can dampen even the happiest mood. In this edition, we demystify electricity bills and give you some money-saving tricks.
Words: Andrew Rasch
A staggering 79 per cent of residential customers could be paying less for their electricity, a recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) study has found. Seeking a better energy plan could help you save but it’s easy to get lost in the maze of confusing terms, contracts and tariffs. With complicated plans and tempting introductory deals that ramp up over time, it’s no surprise that many people give up in frustration.
To help you better understand your electricity bill, we’re here to explain three common, yet sometimes confusing, concepts.
SMART METERS
A smart meter records your household’s energy use in intervals of up to 30 minutes and sends this data to your energy provider. You can usually access this information via an app or website, allowing you to keep track of your usage in real time.
Smart meters are becoming standard across Australia. Unlike old spinning-wheel meters, they provide precise, up-to-the-minute information.
Energy retailers can read them remotely, reducing human error and saving the need for estimated readings. Smart meters also make it easy to switch energy providers or arrange power connections and disconnections.
Given you can track your energy use, a smart meter allows you to tweak your habits and save money. For example, you can run energy-hungry appliances such as air conditioners during the sunniest part of the day when energy’s cheaper – especially if you have solar panels. If you have an EV, a smart meter can also help you plan when to charge the vehicle.
ENERGY TARIFFS
A tariff determines how much you pay for electricity. In South Australia, there are four main tariffs – single rate, controlled load, solar feed-in, and time of use.
Single rate
With a single-rate tariff plan, you pay one flat rate. Whether using energy during the day or night, you pay the same amount per kilowatt hour. It means there aren’t any savings when using off-peak energy.
Controlled load
These rates apply to specific appliances, such as hot water services, underfloor heating and pool pumps and are often cheaper than general usage rates.
Solar feed-in
If you have solar, you’ll usually be paid for the energy you export to the electricity grid. For most systems, your energy provider sets the feed-in tariff amount, and you’re paid a certain rate per kilowatt hour of energy you generate. With solar feed-in tariffs decreasing, it’s often more cost-effective to use your solar power than export it.
Time of use
When your plan has a time-of-use tariff, the price of your electricity changes depending on the time of day.
SA Power Networks has three separate periods that apply but check with your retailer as it may offer something different:
- Peak, 6am–10am and 3pm–1am: when electricity is most expensive; peak rates usually apply in the evenings from Monday to Friday, when demand is highest.
- Off-peak, 1am–6am: when electricity is cheaper and demand is low.
- Solar sponge, 10am–3pm: also known as ‘shoulder’ rates, this is usually the cheapest time to use energy, especially if you have solar.
With smart meters becoming more common, time-of-use tariffs are gaining popularity. They encourage you to shift your usage to off-peak times, saving you money and helping to balance the energy grid.
79% of residential customers could be paying less for electricity
Source: ACCC Inquiry into the National Electricity Market Report 2023.
CARBON OFFSETS
According to the Department of Energy and Mining, 70 percent of SA’s energy comes from wind and solar. But we still rely on non-renewable power at times, which creates a carbon footprint. Some energy companies offer carbon offsets – either free or for an additional cost – as a way to compensate for emissions.
How do carbon offsets work?
Carbon offsets help balance the emissions produced from your energy use by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gases, such as tree planting or investing in renewable energy. These projects create carbon offset credits, which can be purchased to offset your environmental impact.
Each carbon offset credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gas. This is roughly the amount of carbon dioxide a 2024 Toyota Corolla travelling 14,000 km per year would produce, according to the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide.
RAA ENERGY
No-one wants to feel ripped off when it comes to their power bill. South Australians deserve a fairer deal on electricity and that’s why we’ve launched RAA Energy.
RAA General Manager of Home and Energy Ben Owen explains how RAA Energy differs from other energy providers.
“We believe the traditional marked-up energy rates don’t work well for our members,” Ben says. “For a fixed monthly subscription fee, we offer fair, transparent pricing without the retail mark-up on your energy use.
“There are no flashy discounts hiding inflated prices. Just an honest energy plan from South Australia’s most trusted brand.
“With RAA Energy, the monthly fee means our profit isn’t tied to how much electricity you use. It’s separate, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for.”
If you switch to RAA Energy and you’re eligible for a free smart meter, you’ll have a new money-saving tool on hand. You’ll receive monthly insights into your energy use and recommended ways to save on your bills.
By tweaking your daily habits and shifting more of your energy use to off-peak times, you’ll be doing what you can to keep more money in your pocket.
What does RAA Energy offer?
- Access to electricity usage rates without the retail mark-up for a fixed monthly subscription fee.
- No lock-in contracts or exit fees.
- A free smart meter.*
- 100 per cent carbon offset on your energy use.
- Monthly billing – no more quarterly bill shock.^
- Personalised energy insights to help you reduce power bills.^
- A free solar health check or solar assessment for eligible customers.
Switching to RAA Energy is simple and takes less than five minutes online. RAA will handle everything for you, so you won’t have to contact your current energy provider.
T&Cs apply. RAA Energy is a trading name of the licensed energy retailer Energy Locals Pty Ltd, ACN 606 408 879. * Subject to the requirements and limitations of the premises. The upgrade will not be provided if a compatible smart meter is already installed at the premises. The meter upgrade is non-transferable. Additional costs may apply if the premises requires upgrades or remediation works to enable the installation of the smart meter. ^ This service is only available to customers with a compatible smart meter installed at the premises.
IMAGES: Getty.
Ready to switch?
For an online quote or to find out more, visit raa.com.au/energy or call 8202 8118.
