Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My 3.18Kw system goes in on 1 June, I would like to know if anyone in Qld has one of these "Smart Meters" working on their system. The one that covers all the different tariffs,and charges different rates for different times of the day. Not the "Climate Smart Meter" which you can watch it jump off the scale when you turn on the electric jug.

Was thinking will be great to run the FT heating during the night at around ~ $0.06/Hr instead of 24/7. Also run the pumps at the cheapest time of the day (within reason).

So if anyone has info would be appreciated.

??? You don't want one of those climate smart ones that chew batteries and reset them selves every few days????? whyever not?

We have been trying to get a smart meter since our 3.3kw system went in months ago, so we can get on the correct taffifs. Electrical company has sent in the papaerwork 3 times to out supplier but still no action

I got one i think when the solar went in.

They are ok i guess

I have been told that you just have to rearrange the time that you do things, like doing the washing at night.

With the heaters in my AP tanks could set them that they only heat during off peak.

We have off peak electric HWS, with its own meter. So when a Smart Meter goes in can it tell that its going to the HWS or do they have to fit a timer to that circuit?

I have one, great for me but may not suit all. Basically cheap electricity when demand is low like early morning and after 2130. So if you are out all day (...say at work or something) or you open your curtains for light during daylight hours then it should save you money. Rearranging when you use electricity hungry appliances like washing machine, dish washer and pool pump can help.

I would not reccommend it if you run your own metal fabrication/welding business from your back shed.

Thanks Simo.

May be suitable for summer, but not winter if you have electic heating.

Why not? Heat up the house whilst the cheap tariff is on and then (if you have enough) thermal absorption would radiate the heat.

I can remember living in Townsville and all the a/c were on a special tariff where the supplier could regulate supply times. Worked well as I had double brick walls and the house would cool down and stay that way for the next six hours or so. On most occassions supplier only turned off for 2 maybe 4 hours.

Chainsaw - that is the smart thing to do. But how many people do that?

My neighbour runs his ducted reverse cycle system almost all year round so he can walk around in shorts and a singlet in winter.

I think people who use the different tarrifs just need to be aware that the peak and off peaks change in winter and could lead to a surprise.

I bet your neighbour moans about the cost of electricity as well. Some people have no idea about the energy usage of their appliances and then whinge when somebody points out their A/C costs them $3/hr to run.

Forgot to mention - in WA we can choose a flat tariff or a Smartpower tariff with different rates according to the time of day. I investigated which tariff would be better when I got my PV panels installed. At that time, you got paid the same rate for export as you imported (minus the GST), so on a Smartpower tariff you got more for your exported power (daylight rates) and paid more as well.

I read my meter for four days and punched the numbers into a spreadsheet to see what I would be paying under each tariff. Smartpower came out slightly ahead. It's better now because we have a feed-in tariff instead.

You do have to organise yourself to use energy when it's cheap. For example, running the washing machine etc between 9pm and 7am. so it depends if you think you are organised enough.

I have a 2kW PV system, and a usage (pre PV) of 7kWh/day, so I am a net exporter. If you are a net importer, you really need to do the maths first.

Got a letter today saying we will get a smartmeter next week, so will have to do some serious research after it goes in. Having half hourly readings should show us what appliances are chewing the juice

Hey Mantis, just put a padlock on ya meter box and buy ya self some time, I was sent a letter saying between sucha date and sucha sucha date my power would be switched off for a period of 30-60 minutes to install a smart meter.
I rang the power company and told them this was unacceptable since I had fish and a power outage of 60minutes could stress and kill them. They told me to lock my meter box untill another arrangement could be made......... I still don't have or want a smart meter!

You are basically handing your power company the right to charge you what they want when they want. ie: peak usage - between 3:30pm and 9pm;
3:30pm - bout the time your kids get home from school turn on the plasma, pc, music, ect....
6pm - the time you come home from work and turn on the PC, oven, heating/cooling.
Not much different to peak and off peak meters now but at least they don't have control to change it as it suits them.

Also a thing that smart meters will be used for is to kill peoples power remotely for things like excess usage in times of high power demand, when our power stations are at there limits, or for not paying your bill on time, etc........

Not a fan!