Help Me Understand Different Energy Tariffs

peuwayaqdq on 09/11/2024 - 12:03
Last edited 09/11/2024 - 15:20 by 1 other user

Hi all, I am in market for a new energy provider. I want to understand what different tariffs to inform my decision.

I see Controlled Load 2 in my bill and also, I think my aircon is on tariff 33 but this is not reflected on the bill. I did some google search and I see Controlled Load 1, 2 and 3. Also Tariff 11, 31 and 33. Can I check if they are two different groups/categories of tariffs? While I think I understand Tariff 11 vs 31 vs 33, I am not quite sure about Controlled Load. Some enlightenment would be appreciated.

And one more, am I right that I need an electrician to do the switching between tariff 11/31/33 instead of the energy provider does it remotely?

Thank you in advance.

Home & Garden Electricity

Comments

  • Bruceflix on 09/11/2024 - 14:10
    +1

    No an electrician but it would be illegal for an aircon to be on controlled load.

    • lgacb08 on 10/11/2024 - 08:44

      nah, anything on can be on controlled load as long as it does not exceed rating for that circuit, the question however is whether you can afford to not running those appliances when controlled load is off (and distributor has exclusive rights of switch it on and off at their pleasure as long as it is within the state timeframe and duration).

      • SlickMick on 11/11/2024 - 09:55

        Are you sure about that?

        I wanted to install GPOs at the pool so I could switch out chlorinator/ pump etc, but the electrician reckoned it wasn't legal.

        • BigBirdy on 11/11/2024 - 10:34

          GPOs at my pool were on tariff 33, ie control load 2. I’ve since had them changed back to tariff 11 (anytime) to utilise solar panels. That’s with Energex, possibly other suppliers have diff rules

          • BigBirdy on 11/11/2024 - 10:39

            @BigBirdy: Just be aware, with a non 24/7 tariff like 33, it’ll stuff up any in-built timer on your chlorinator (because a day of power is not 24hrs), but there are solutions to this.

            • SlickMick on 11/11/2024 - 12:23

              @BigBirdy: Yeah I had plenty of trouble with that. The timer is supposed to have a battery, but they don't last long, and was supposed to be non-replaceable on mine. I kept a spare timer to swap out the battery ready for when the live one failed.
              I eventually got sick of it and just went on Tariff 11 too.

              • BigBirdy on 11/11/2024 - 12:53

                @SlickMick: Mine, when on tariff 33, used a timer in the meter box, the timer itself powered on tariff 11, but the timed circuit on tariff 33 going to the pool. It worked ok, but was a little tricky changing the time periods.

                Now I use a smart socket for on/off timing, which is so much easier to make changes, over-ride, etc. Same for pool light. That’s on tariff 11, but it should also work ok on tariff 33

  • MS Paint on 09/11/2024 - 14:27
    +1

    Controlled load would typically be an electric hot water storage system. Do you have one of those?

  • peuwayaqdq on 09/11/2024 - 19:35

    Now I am confused. Thanks for your responses but they didn't seem to be the answer to my questions?

    I do have electric hot water system. I don't want to change anything wrt my controlled load 2. I do want to make changes to how my aircon connect to the main power so that I can use it at any time, which I think it means I am switching from tariff 33 to tariff 11.

    • freefall101 on 09/11/2024 - 19:50
      -3

      What did your power company say when you called them about it?

      Why do you think it's on 33 if you're not being billed at tariff 33?

      • peuwayaqdq on 09/11/2024 - 20:23
        +1

        aircond won't turn on (or automatically turn off) at around 5pm and back on at around 9pm. I haven't called my energy provider.

        • Iwantthebestprice on 09/11/2024 - 21:20

          It sounds like your aircon is connected to the off peak meter (tariff 33) this is strange. You may need to get it rewired so it works on the anytime tariff and not only off peak hours

          • peuwayaqdq on 10/11/2024 - 06:36

            @Iwantthebestprice: So this isn't common for an aircon to connect on tariff 33?

            Do I need electrician to make the switch? I thought tariff 33 just depends on the plan I am on. Do I need to tell my energy provider as well or that will be automatic?

      • peuwayaqdq on 09/11/2024 - 20:39

        If I am on 33, should that appear on my statement? Now it made me thinking if I've been over-charged all this time because I only see general usage and controlled load 2 usage. I wonder if I am connected to tariff 33 but charged as general.

        I'll give them a call on Monday.

  • GordonD on 09/11/2024 - 21:25

    You do realise don't you that if you move your air conditioning from off peak to any time you'll pay more to run it any time you run it, even outside peak times.

    • Iwantthebestprice on 09/11/2024 - 21:40
      +1

      He will pay more, but he can run it outside of the dedicated QLD control load times. I think OP wants to run his aircon whenever he chooses, if it’s connected to the Off Peak meter it will only work between X time and X time

    • peuwayaqdq on 10/11/2024 - 06:17

      Yes I do. Summer is getting hotter and hotter and surprisingly none of my friends are on tariff 33 (ie. they can turn on aircon at anytime).

      Btw this tariff 33 wasn't our choice, it's been like that since we bought the house.

  • peuwayaqdq on 10/11/2024 - 06:31
    +1

    Ah, to answer my own question, controlled load and tariff are the same thing.

    Controlled load tariffs may be called something else depending on your state and retailer, but all function in the same way. Some controlled load names/types by state include:

    • New South Wales: Controlled load 1 and controlled load 2
    • Victoria: Controlled load/30dedicated circuit charge
    • Queensland: Tariff 31 and Tariff 33
    • South Australia: Controlled load
    • Tasmania: Tariff 62 or Tariff 63, (previously Tariff 61, no longer offered to new customers)
    • Australian Capital Territory: Controlled load 1 and controlled load 2

    https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/controlled-load-t…

    • kiitos on 10/11/2024 - 08:30

      How confusing it is to have different states run services independently

  • BigBirdy on 10/11/2024 - 10:23
    +1

    I’m SE Qld, on Energex. Control Load 2 is Tariff 33, it can be turned on/off remotely by the supplier by a signal down the power line.

    The previous owner of our house had the high solar FIT and so had the hot water, pool, aircon and laundry all wired to Tariff 33. Estate agent said you can connect anything, as long as it’s hard-wired, not on a GPO (pool was on GPO). We don’t get the high FIT, so we got pool, aircon and laundry swapped back to Tariff 11 by an electrician. That required a minor rewiring in the meter box, and fitting a GPO in the laundry. It was not expensive. When shopping for an energy retailer, I only look at the plans with Control Load 2.

    • peuwayaqdq on 10/11/2024 - 15:04

      So to switch my aircon from 33 to 11, do I need an electrician to come or can I just request it to power retailer? Or both?

      • BigBirdy on 10/11/2024 - 16:13
        +1

        Electrician, to change wiring in meter box. It doesn't involve power company

  • BatsRule on 10/11/2024 - 13:49
    +1

    did you know… in france, they don't use mobile signal to communicate from smart meters to energy providers. they use the electricity wires. so internet over power lines.

    and thanks for posting this op.

  • MechEng on 11/11/2024 - 11:04

    Hi mate,
    I can actually help with this a I work in the energy industry (not a sparky thou)
    Controlled load 2 and tariff 33 are the same thing. They allow for power supply for a minimum of 18hrs a day, but you pay lower prices on all energy consumed in that circuit. Personally, I have the hot water system, the pool pump and pool heater on tariff 33, it is perfectly legal. There are other types of controlled loads that vary in the conditions of supply. Tariff 33 is the most common in the Energex area.
    With your aircon, it is possible that it is connected to your controlled load circuit, or that you have a peak smart device installed in the A/C unit it self. Technically you need to talk to Energex if you wish to remove the peak smart.
    If you want to get rid of your tariff 33 you need to speak with your retailer and they will put a request to the network provider in your behalf. There may be costs involved and you may have to change your tariff with the retailer too.
    You can't really choose between control load tarifa as those are what is on offer in your region/ network area, and depend on many factors related to the network.
    The best way to compare prices is to use your NMI number in the energy made easy (.gov.au) so it pulls all data from your meter.
    I hope I helped a bit, hit reply if you have more questions

    • peuwayaqdq on 11/11/2024 - 11:20

      Thanks for your explanation @MechEng. Since I saw Controlled Load 2 in my bill, do you think my aircon is definitely connected to controlled load circuit, rather than having a peak smart device in it? It is a decades old aircon so I don't think there is some kind of peak smart device tbh.

      In any case, is my energy retailer my first point of contact rather than getting an electrician directly?

      I went to energy made easy but unfortunately I can't use NMI to do comparison because I have the smart meter for less than 12 months.

  • MechEng on 11/11/2024 - 11:46
    +1

    More likely your controlled load is in your hot water system.
    I cannot tell you if your A/C is connected to the CL, but an electrician will be able to. You can look inside the A/C if you see a device (like a white box), that is the peak smart. As far as I know peak smart should not turn off the A/C completely.
    An electrician cannot change any of your tariffs, even if he rewires all to be peak only, you will still pay the fix costs related to the CL.
    Talk to your retailer and ask him these questions, they should be able to point you in the right direction.
    As for Energy made Easy, when you compare, I believe it gives you the option to select I have a CL.
    Also, you can ask your retailer if you are in their best possible deal for you, and by law they need to tell you.
    good luck!

    • peuwayaqdq on 11/11/2024 - 15:25

      Thanks @MechEng, that's really helpful.

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