Before we dive into the gadgets, let’s take a look ‘under the hood’ and understand your energy habits first.  

Understanding your energy habits

Before we dive into the gadgets, it’s important to first ‘look under the hood’ and understand your energy habits. Understanding the way you use energy at home, is the first step to taking control and understanding which smart devices might be most beneficial for your household.

If your home has a smart meter, you can see a breakdown of your daily usage patterns with My Account or the Origin app. Smart meters collect your usage data in regular intervals, usually every 30 minutes, and securely send it to us – your energy provider. We’ll even show you weather data for each day, so you can see how the temperature affects your usage habits (and adjust them – either manually or by using smart devices – accordingly).  
 
If your property doesn’t have a smart meter, not to worry. You can do an energy audit in under 10 minutes to help identify which rooms and appliances are using the most energy in your home – and come up with a plan for optimising them.  

Now that you’re familiar with your usage patterns, let’s jump into the different devices that can help automate and optimise your energy usage.

Smart hubs and voice assistants

Smart hubs (such as Amazon Echo, Google Nest Hub and Samsung SmartThings) go beyond just playing music and helping you access recipes in the kitchen. These devices can act as the ‘conductor’ of the smart home – orchestrating an array of devices from smart lighting to thermostats and plugs, helping automate your energy savings.  

Smart plugs

Smart plugs are a great entry point when it comes to kitting out your home with smart devices. They allow you to automate your appliances – think shutting off your TV, computer, lamps, toasters – and avoid the drain of standby power in your home (which could be costing you up to $176.99 per year).   

Beyond using smart plugs as automated timers though, many models can also measure the flow of electricity to particular appliances, so you can better understand how energy is being consumed around your home. 

As an example, the TP-Link HS110 Smart Plug can display how much energy an appliance is using and how that consumption has been tracking over time, allowing you to make informed choices about your energy use. This can also help you identify appliances that may be using more power than they should, and might need an upgrade.  

Smart power strips

Smart power strips are advanced versions of traditional power boards that can automatically cut power to devices when they’re not in use. Like smart plugs, they can help you save on standby power and provide insight into how much power the appliances plugged into the board are consuming.  
 
These are especially handy for people who work from home, allowing you to schedule your PC, printer and other office devices to shut off automatically when your workday is over. Saving energy and your work life balance as well.

Smart lighting

Smart lighting consists of LED bulbs, light switches, or fixtures that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or voice assistant (Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri). These lights offer advanced features like dimming (lowering power consumption and extending bulb life), scheduling, motion detection, and even colour adjustments – helping to improve energy efficiency (or in the case of the latter, productivity or rest depending on which colour you choose). 

Smart bulbs are LED-based – consuming up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs – and allow you to turn your lights on or off from the palm of your hand (or via your voice assistant),helping to reduce unnecessary usage. You can even schedule them to come on when you arrive home from work and switch off as you go to bed.   

Depending on the type of smart bulb or lighting solution you choose, some even have motion sensors – automatically turning lights off when a room is empty – or adaptive lighting capabilities, adjusting brightness based on the time of day (for example, dimming the lights in the evening). 

Smart lighting can also integrate with other smart devices such as smart plugs and thermostats, allowing you to further optimise your energy usage.  

Smart thermostats for heating and cooling

Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi-enabled devices that control your home’s heating and cooling systems more efficiently than their traditional counterparts.  

Depending on the model you choose, they offer the ability to turn your AC or heater on or off from the palm of your hand (or via your voice assistant), helping to prevent unnecessary usage. Some models can adjust the temperature based on how hot or cold it is outside, helping to reduce the strain on your AC or heating system.

Motion sensors and occupancy sensors

Smart motion sensors and occupancy sensors detect movement in a room and automatically control lights, appliances, or heating and cooling based on whether someone is present. In some cases certain models won’t even turn on lights in the home if enough natural light is detected.

Beyond integrating with smart lighting and bulbs, some motion and occupancy sensors can also link in with smart thermostats and adjust the heating or cooling when a room is occupied or empty. 

Solar panel inverters

If you have solar installed, solar panel inverters are a great way to keep track of your usage. Many inverters can connect to your home’s wireless network and provide live energy usage and energy generation data that you can view on your smartphone. When you turn on the dishwasher, gaming console or air-con, you can instantly see how much energy it uses and adjust your usage patterns to align with when your system is generating the most power throughout the day. Allowing you to reduce your reliance on the grid and maximise the value of the energy you’re generating from your panels during the day.

Smart appliances

If your home has solar, and you’re in the market for new appliances, many newer whitegoods – such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers – are often equipped with smart technology which links to various mobile apps, allowing you to set delays when running your loads of washing and dishes. Making it easy for you to set your energy-heavy appliances to run when your solar is generating the most. 

Thinking about solar?

We can help you on your way to energy independence with tools, information, access to solar quotes from our preferred partners, plus more. In less than 10 minutes, you can arrange up to 3 free solar and battery quotes from our preferred partners for your property. You can also check out recommended solar system sizes, potential bill savings, and more. It’s free and without obligation*

*Origin has a commercial agreement with our partner installers and receives a commission from them for each referral.

The post Smart devices to help you save energy appeared first on The Origin Blog.

1. Take photos of everything

Moving house is a really busy time, so you’re bound to forget a few details. Take photos of which cables go where at the back of your TV, where screws go on flat pack furniture or the way your favourite shelves are arranged so you can put them back together just right!

2. Avoid single use packing items

Running out of bubble wrap or just want to be kinder to the environment? Wrap breakables like plates and glasses in clothing to cut bubble wrap from your shopping list.

3. For the jewellery lovers

Toilet paper rolls, zip lock bags and egg cartons are perfect for getting your jewellery from A to B – without the headache of tangled pieces.

4. Sticky tape is your friend

Packing tape is a moving essential, so you should have this one on hand already. You can use it while you’re taking furniture apart to keep all the screws together or to remember which cables go where on your TV or computer.

5. Prevent tangles

To avoid a serious cable tangle, pack your cords in empty toilet paper rolls and remember to label them. Or if you haven’t been collecting toilet rolls for the past six months, you can use zip lock bags instead.

6. Vacuum bags

Items like pillows, blankets and bulky coats take up lots of space when packing. Save room and money by using garbage bags instead of expensive space saver bags – all you need to get started is a regular garbage bag, a vacuum clear and a rubber band.

7. The moving kit

The last thing you want to be doing after a long day of packing is scrambling to remember which box you put your PJs in. Put together a bag of all the essentials you’ll need for your first night in the new digs – think toiletries, towels and bedding.

Now that you’ve got these moving hacks under your belt, you can move online with Origin in less than five minutes. Simply book your move with an energy plan that suits your needs and your done.

8. Box skills

To make unpacking as easy as possible at the other end, colour code boxes by using a different coloured tape for each room. And if you want to take your box game to the next level, try cutting handles into the side of boxes and make them easier to carry.

9. Bundle and save

We’re all looking for better value – especially when it comes to the ‘must-haves’ in our homes – so why not bundle your energy and internet and save? Our customers can bundle their energy and internet and get $10 off their internet bill each month. Over the year, that’s $120 of savings that you get right back in your pocket!

Not only do our internet plans offer great speeds and customer support, we’ve also thrown in a mountain of entertainment for you to enjoy with 12 months of Paramount+ on us. 

You’ll also save on life admin, as you’ll only have to deal with the one provider for your energy and internet. Who doesn’t love a little extra time back in their day?

The post 9 life hacks for a stress-free move appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Who do I need to contact?

If you experience a blackout, it’s important to contact your local distributor. Your energy distributor is the company that owns and operates the poles, wires and grid that provide your home with energy. Your distributor’s determined by where you live so you don’t get to choose them – unlike your energy retailer (Origin).

Your local distributor can provide info about the cause of the outage and will likely be able to provide you with an estimated time when the power will be restored in your area.

How do I find my energy distributor?

Some postcodes have several distributors. If you see more than one listed you can confirm which one services your area by looking at your bill. Their number will be listed under ‘Faults and Emergencies’.

If you don’t have your bill handy, we’ve got you covered. Just pop your postcode into our Distributor Look-up Tool and we’ll tell you who your distributor is.

My power’s out, what do I do?

Your number one priority during a power outage is to stay safe.

Be energy safe

Be careful not to burn yourself when using candles and other open flames for light, and keep naked flames away from any flammable materials.

Food safety

Try to keep your cold and frozen food cold by moving it all to the freezer and only opening the freezer and fridge when necessary to keep it as cold as possible. 

It’s generally recommended that food can be kept and eaten for up to 4 hours and then it must be thrown away or, if it’s raw meat, cooked and eaten. When your power’s restored, if your frozen food is still solid, the food should be safe to refreeze – but approach this on a case by case basis.

If you have any questions, contact the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 364 352. 

In the event of an extended power outage, you may be eligible for a credit to reimburse you for spoiled goods. Your local distributor will be able to advise whether you’re eligible for this.

Take care of one another

If you have neighbours or relatives that may have special needs (such as the elderly or those with a disability), be supportive. Check up on them to make sure they’re safe and provide assistance where you can.

If a neighbour or relative has life support, and their supply has been affected, help assist them to the nearest hospital if safe to do so. If it’s not safe, reach out to the ambulance service by calling triple zero (000).

What will happen to my solar system?

When you initially connect your solar system to the network, you need to abide by the network’s connection standard. This means the inverter must follow grid operation. So if the grid’s down the inverter needs to, and will, shut down automatically.

This is because linesmen may be harmed when repairing faulty electricity wires travelling back into the grid from your solar system. After the repairs have been made, your solar power system will automatically turn on during daylight hours. If you have a battery backup system connected to your solar system, then depending on the wiring, some internal services like your fridge could still be operated by the batteries.

I have an electric garage door, what should I do?

Many garage doors feature a manual release function to bypass the opening mechanism during power outages, so don’t fear. To activate this, depending on your door, there will be a short rope hanging down that usually ends with a red, T-shaped handle. Pull this cord to release the door from the drive chain or belt. 

Pulling this cord will allow you to manually raise your garage door. When power comes back on, you may have to manually reset your garage door’s automatic opening system. If you have any issues, contact your garage door installer.

What if a natural disaster or emergency is occurring?

If a flood or bushfire has caused a power outage in your home, you need to act appropriately.

Floods or storms

If you’re impacted by flooding or a damaging storm, your best point of contact is your State Emergency Service (SES):

• NSW SES
• VIC SES
• QLD Disaster Management
• SA SES
• ACT ESA
• WA Emergency
• Secure NT

Bushfires

Electricity and natural gas supplies are often disconnected during bushfires for safety reasons. Contact your local distributor to get an update on whether a disconnection has occurred.

If you’re in a high-risk location for a bushfire, contact your state fire service:

• NSW Rural Fire Service
• VIC Emergency & Country Fire Authority
• QLD Fire Department
• SA Country Fire Service
• ACT ESA
• WA Emergency
• Secure NT

If you have any further questions, our emergencies page can give you tips about what to do in the case of bushfires and floods.

Preparing for a natural disaster or wild weather

If there is a severe weather event predicted in your area, here are a few useful tips and resources to help ensure your home is prepared. In any weather event, your local distributor is your best contact for outage info. You can find your distributor’s contact details on the first page of your bill, or by popping your postcode into our look up tool. Jot these down and keep them handy.

If you have life support at your property, ensure you are across your backup plan and have planned for access to your nearest hospital.⁠

For storms or cyclones

• Secure the exterior of your home by bringing all outside patio furniture, potted plants, bikes and toys indoors.⁠
• Source sandbags to keep water away from your property. Check whether your local council is offering these for free.
• If you have a generator, test it ahead of time and ensure you have adequate fuel on hand.⁠
• Charge power banks and any other appliances you may need (such as iPads, eBook readers, laptops, etc for entertainment) ahead of the weather event.
• Other important items to ensure you have on hand include bottled drinking water, food to last you between 5-7 days, torches, batteries, a battery powered radio to keep up to date with weather warnings, first aid kit and medication.⁠

For bushfires

A home that’s well prepared for bushfire season is more likely to survive a bushfire or ember attack according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Here are their maintenance tips to ensure your home is bushfire ready:

• Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs, and install metal gutter guards.
• Attach a fire sprinkler system to your gutters.
• Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof, enclose any gaps under the house and repair any in external walls.
• Fit seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps inside the home.
• Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained.
• Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings.
• Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property.
• Have hoses long enough to reach around your house.
• If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance, so firefighters know where they can get water.
• Ensure you have an emergency survival kit on hand. Including things like: portable battery-operated radio, waterproof torch, spare batteries, first aid kit (with manual), candles with waterproof matches, woollen blankets, bottled drinking water (at least 3L for each person per day), medication and appliance chargers.

Tips for keeping the kids entertained

With TVs, computers and gaming consoles off the table (unless they’re battery operated of course), we’ve pulled together some easy ways to keep the kids entertained whilst waiting for power to be restored.

• Have a storytelling and shadow puppet show. Use a flashlight to take turns creating different animals and characters on the walls and creating stories to go with them.
• Pull out the board or card games and take the opportunity to bring the whole family together for some quality time.
• Who says forts are just for kids? Use blankets, pillows and sheets to create a cosy hideout inside.
• Pull out your craft supplies markers, paints and scrapbooks or download our colouring in sheet and get crafty together.

Have any more questions?

If you want to learn more about power outages, how this might affect your home or how to be better prepared, we recommend visiting your local distributors website.  

The post What to do in a power outage appeared first on The Origin Blog.

What is an electrified home?

In its simplest form, an electrified home is one that has no reliance on natural gas – just electricity.  With gas prices rising, making the switch to all-electric appliances could help you save on electricity bills, make the most of solar (whether you already have rooftop solar panels or are thinking about it), and can reduce your home’s carbon footprint if you’re able to take advantage of electricity sourced from renewables. So, if your home’s stove, hot water system or heating runs on natural gas, it may be worth considering electric when your appliances reach the end of their life.

When is an ideal time to consider electrification?

Building or renovating is a prime time to consider all-electric systems and appliances. While energy-efficient electrical appliances may cost more upfront, over their lifetime they’ll have lower running costs than their natural gas or less energy-efficient counterparts. And if your new home has rooftop solar, the savings could be even greater, as the real benefit of solar comes from using the energy you’re generating first, rather than feeding it back into the grid.

Do I need solar to electrify my home?

Whilst rooftop solar is a great way to help increase the green credentials of your home, and help bring your energy bills down, it’s not a requirement when making the switch to electrification. Opting to use electricity as much as possible allows you to take advantage of energy-efficient appliances – helping to reduce your household emissions and running costs.  

How much will it cost to electrify my home?

Costs will vary depending on which natural gas appliances you currently have, as well as your style and personal goals. For example, let’s take a look in the kitchen. Many brands now offer induction cook-tops in a range of sizes, designs and price-points. The technology is fast, simple to control, safe – and easier to clean than gas cook-tops (a huge plus).

It’s important to remember that electrifying your home is an investment that will continue to provide benefits over the long term.

What if I rent?

If you’re a renter and your property has gas appliances, unfortunately the only option is to find electric alternatives. It may be worth considering a portable plug-in induction cook top for your kitchen and making the switch to an energy-efficient electric heater.

If you have a good relationship with your property manager and landlord, it may be worth floating the idea of electrifying the property. Energy efficiency upgrades may be subsidised (as well as tax deductible) and upgrades to the property can also help increase property value long term.

What are the perks of electrification if I have an EV?

If you own an EV, or are in the market for one, electrifying your home should be on your radar.  Whilst you may no longer have to pay for fuel, charging your EV still comes at a cost. If your home has rooftop solar charging your car during the day, whilst you’re generating power, is a great way to offset the electricity costs. If you prefer to charge at night, adding a battery to your setup is a great option, as it allows you to utilise the power you’ve generated as opposed to it being fed back into the grid. 

Solar technology has come a long way since the early days, with some states even offering rebates as an incentive.

How much could I save by going all-electric?

Sustainability Victoria estimates that, for a home with solar panels, making the switch to electricity could save you around $1,250 on your energy bills per year. This is in addition to approximately $950 of savings per year from an existing 6.6kW solar system. You can take your savings even further, by adding a medium-sized battery system, you could save an additional $520 per year.  
 
If you don’t have solar, there are still savings to be had by upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. In fact, two of the biggest energy users are heating and cooling (41% of home energy usage) and hot water (21%). Upgrading appliances as they approach the end of their life, to energy-efficient electrical options, could result in savings on your energy bill – and allow you to take full advantage of your solar if/when you do invest in it.

Where to start

If you’re not in the process of building or renovating your home, the starting point is a little different. Upgrading major appliances, like hot water systems and heating, can be costly, so for many households the best time to consider electrification is when these appliances are reaching the end of their life. It’s a good idea to plan your electrification transition over a few years, allowing you to budget for the replacements and slowly transition off the natural gas network.  

Our step-by-step guide to going all-electric

• Identify which appliances currently use natural gas in your home and which are reaching the end of their life first. 
• Set a budget for the appliances in question and plan for when they’ll likely need replacing. 
• Research the appliances you need and ensure they work for you, for example, if you’re an avid home-cook, make sure you find an induction cook top that ticks all your culinary boxes. 
• Seek out quotes for both the product and installation so there are no surprises when it comes to budget.  
• Research whether there are any rebates available in your state that can help reduce out-of-pocket costs.  
• Prior to installation, check in with your installer and discuss whether you’ll need to reach out to your energy provider to have your electricity meter updated. 
• Once you’ve moved all your appliances over to electric versions, reach out to your energy provider to disconnect your natural gas account. 
• Plan ahead – what does the next phase look like for your home beyond just replacing your appliances? Are there opportunities to further save on your energy bills and increase your green credentials through additions like EVs, rooftop solar and batteries?  

Electrification at home is one of the ways Aussies can increase their energy efficiency, bring their energy bills down, and can help reduce carbon emissions when powered by renewables. 

There are also some simple, passive solutions to help make your energy at home work more efficiently like installing blinds, draught proofing, and planting trees to provide shade. Seasonal window shutters can also help to reduce or maximise sun exposure. And if you’re building or renovating, there’s bigger projects you can take on to improve energy efficiency — like upgrading insulation, installing double glazed windows, fitting insulated doors, creating zoned living spaces that can be sealed off to keep warmth or cool air in, and installing oversized eaves. 

As Australia transitions to more renewable energy, and big change is happening across our energy network — there are plenty of ways to get involved now and make an impact at home today. 

Thinking about solar?

We can help you on your way to energy independence with tools, information, access to solar quotes from our preferred partners, plus more. In less than 10 minutes, you can arrange up to 3 free solar and battery quotes from our preferred partners for your property. You can also check out recommended solar system sizes, potential bill savings, and more. It’s free and without obligation⁺

⁺ Origin has a commercial agreement with our partner installers and receives a commission from them for each referral.

The post A guide to electrifying your home appeared first on The Origin Blog.

1. Access your Origin Rewards perks online

Our customers get access to a range of great rewards. From discounted movie tickets (including up to 45% off Gold Class and Luxe tickets) as well as discounts from a range of Australia’s favourite retailers – like The Iconic, JB HiFi, Endota and The Good Guys. You can access, and keep up to date with, all your perks via the ‘Rewards’ tab on the Origin app and My Account.  

2. Add your concession card

If you hold an eligible concession card, adding your details is as simple as following the steps below. 

3. Adjust your estimated bill

Estimated bills happen for a range of different reasons. From access issues like locked gates and pets, right through to natural disasters. If you’ve received an estimated read, the good news is you can submit a self-meter read in just a few steps. 

4. Check your energy plan

Want to check which energy plan you’re on? No need to go digging through your post or email inbox, it’s easily accessible via the Origin app and My Account.

5. Move house

Moving house is stressful enough without having to wait on hold to organise your energy connection. Skip the queue and organise your move in minutes online.

6. Pay your energy bill

Need to make a payment? Too easy, simply follow the steps below. 

7. Renew your energy plan

Energy prices change regularly, so getting into the habit of reviewing your plans regularly can help keep your household bills down. We know reviewing your utilities can be time consuming, so we’ve pulled together a handy checklist to help guide you through finding the right plan for you, and you can easily update your plan online. 

8. Submit a meter read to check your costs

Wondering how you’re tracking with your energy usage and costs? Here’s how you can submit a self-meter read and check. 

9. Update your details

Updating your contact details, postal address and email is easy via My Account and the Origin app, just follow our step-by-step instructions below. 

10. Need more support?

Our Help & Support section has hundreds of articles to help answer your energy account and billing questions. We’ve also got loads of great energy-saving tips and tricks on our blog. Still need a helping hand? Send our friendly team an email via hello@origin.com.au.  

The post 10 useful ways to manage your energy account online appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Acronyms

What is an NMI number?

NMI stands for National Metering Identifier. It’s a unique 10 or 11 digit number used to identify every electricity network connection point in Australia. Every connection to the national electricity network is given its own NMI. You can find your NMI number on the second page of your bill in the ‘Total Electricity Charges’ box.

What is a MIRN number?

MIRN stands for Meter Installation Registration Number. It’s another unique 11 digit number used by natural gas suppliers to identify your gas connection. It’s essentially the same as an NMI, but for gas.

What are kilowatt hours? (kWh)

A kilowatt hour is a measure of how much energy you’re using. It’s a unit of measurement that equals the amount of energy you would use if you kept a 1,000 watt appliance running for an hour. For example, if you switched on a 100 watt light bulb, it would take 10 hours to use 1 kWh of energy. If you’re curious about just how much energy each of your appliances uses, an appliance running calculator can give you a good sense of how much they cost to run.

What is a megajoule? (MJ)

If you have natural gas at your property, then you’ve probably noticed there are a lot of numbers on your bill followed by ‘MJ’. Similar to a kWh, a MJ is a unit of work or energy equal to one million joules. A property’s gas usage is measured in megajoules and is recorded using a gas meter.

The energy industry

What is the NEM?

The NEM is the National Electricity Market. Operating in NSW, the ACT, QLD, SA, VIC and TAS, the NEM is a wholesale electricity market and includes the network of physical assets like power stations. Energy generated by those assets is then moved around the system and sold through a ‘pool’.

What is an energy distributor?

Energy distributors are responsible for the infrastructure that provides energy to homes and businesses. They take care of things like the poles, wires, grid, substations and natural gas pipes. As distributors cover specific areas or patches, like your local council, you can’t choose who your distributor is.

Your distributor will be the one who communicates with you about power outages. They’re also who you should reach out to for any updates on outages or interruptions. You can find their contact details here if you put in your postcode.

What is an energy retailer?

An energy retailer (like Origin) is a company that supplies natural gas or electricity to consumers. Retailers take the meter readings that are provided from either your distributor or meter provider – depending on your meter type – and generate your bill. They also handle everything from liaising with distributors on things like first and final meter reads (when you’re moving in/out of a property), meter upgrades and inspections, organising special reads, energy offers and applying concessions, through to everyone’s least favourite thing, resolving issues and complaints. 

Unlike your distributor, you can choose who your retailer is.

What is an energy generator?

Generators produce electricity, which they can sell to retailers like us. This energy can be from coal or gas, or renewable sources like wind, hydro and solar. Generators also sell energy via the National Electricity Market (NEM), where prices (known as “spot” prices) change every five minutes.

These prices reflect current demand and supply across the NEM, and are influenced by factors like weather, season, time of day, and gas, coal and oil prices.

What is a gentailer?

Like the name suggests, the term ‘gentailer’ combines the terms generator and retailer. It’s a reference to companies who operate in the National Energy Market (NEM) and both generate, and sell, energy to customers via their own retail business

Pricing

What is the daily supply charge?

The daily supply charge is a fixed daily cost that customers pay regardless of how much energy they use. It helps pay for the ongoing maintenance of the national energy grid including things like poles, wires and transformers. It also covers a portion of retailer operating costs.

The supply charge can differ according to your plan, any discount you have and who your distributor is.

What is a usage charge?

Just like the name suggests, usage charges are how retailers bill you for the energy you use at your home or business. Unlike the supply charge, which is fixed, your usage varies depending on your energy habits.

What is a tariff?

A tariff is a pricing structure — it’s the way that you’re charged for the energy you use. It’s normally determined by the type of meter you have and how it’s been set up. Some examples of tariffs include peak, off-peak and time-of-use.

What does peak/off-peak metering mean?

Off-peak refers to reduced electricity rates during specific times, these time periods are usually when households and businesses are using less electricity. The exact times will be different depending on your location and meter type, but they’re typically at night or over the weekend. This is also sometimes referred to as ‘time of use’ metering.

In order to take advantage of off-peak power, you might need to change your tariff – which can be dependant on your meter type. One more thing to be mindful of, before you make the switch, is your usage habits. It pays to look into your households energy usage and make sure you’re using the bulk of your appliances during the specific off peak/shoulder times. Find out more on how you can take advantage of off-peak power.

What is a controlled load?

A controlled load is electricity supplied directly to specific appliances, the most common being electric hot water systems, pool pumps or underfloor heating. These are usually on a separate meter or a dedicated circuit – you might also find you’re charged a lower rate as these appliances operate during times of the day where there may be more energy available in the grid.

What is a fixed-term energy plan?

A fixed-rate energy plan adds security by keeping your rates consistent for a fixed-term usually a 12-month period. Generally, if you are an Origin residential customer, you can switch energy plans at any time (with no exit fees).

What is a ‘block rate’?

Natural gas customers are sometimes charged in ‘block rates’ or ‘steps’. This means when you reach a certain threshold of usage, the price per megajoule changes. Generally, the more gas that’s used, the lower the rate per MJ.

What is the DMO?

The Default Market Offer (DMO) is the maximum price electricity providers can charge customers in NSW, the ACT, SA and parts of QLD who are on a ‘standing offer’ for electricity (a contract with regulated terms).

It’s also called the DMO reference price because it’s a cost benchmark that customers can use to compare offers (also called electricity plans).

The relevant regulator reviews and sets the DMO each year. It’s set by the government in the ACT or the Australian Energy Regulator in NSW, SA and parts of QLD.

What is the VDO?

The VDO, or the Victorian Default Offer, are electricity prices set by the Essential Services Commission for Victorian customers. It’s designed to ensure customers pay a fair price for their energy. In Victoria, any discounts must be advertised off the VDO rates, and any electricity plan advertised must also show you the estimated yearly cost difference between the plan and the VDO.

None of our customers are currently being charged above the VDO

What’s the difference between a supply and street address?

Your supply address is the address that’s listed for your meter in the National Database. This may appear differently to your street address, which can cause you to think we might be billing you for the wrong property. The best way to check this is to compare your meter number with the meter number listed on the second page of your bill. Don’t have a bill yet? Reach out to our friendly Social Media Team and they’d be happy to check this for you. If your meter number matches, we can have the supply address updated to match your street address – we just need a copy of your council rates notice.

And that’s a wrap! Now that you’re up to speed with our lingo, you have all the right info to become the ‘energy whiz’ of your household. Hopefully this cheat sheet will make your life a little easier when you come across these terms in future.

The post Busting energy jargon appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Energy prices change regularly, so getting into the habit of reviewing your plans annually can help keep your household bills down. We know no-one likes the life admin that comes with reviewing utilities, so we’ve pulled together a handy checklist to help guide you through finding the right plan for you.

What do you need from an energy plan?

There are a lot of energy plans on the market and what works for one household may not be right for another. With so many plans and providers to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. A great place to start is by narrowing down what’s most important to you. Here are four key things to consider.

• Ease: How easy, and fast, is it to connect or switch providers? Does your provider offer electricity and gas, or even internet (making it a one-stop for your life admin needs)? Are there bundle deals?
• Convenience: What bill and payment options are available? Do they offer Live Chat and an online portal? Is there a mobile app for when you’re on the go?
• Control: Is it easy to check your energy rates? Can you easily access your energy usage online?
• Cleaner options: Do they offer any green energy products or add-ons, and if you have solar, what is the feed-in tariff like?

Compare apples with apples

Once you’ve narrowed down what’s important to you, the next step is to take a look at your current offer and compare it. If you’re looking for new ways to reduce your energy bill, reviewing some of your previous bills is bound to reveal some insights that will help point you toward a new plan that works for you.

• What is the base rate that you’re paying? And how does it compare to the DMO or VDO?
• Does your current plan have any bonuses or discounts?
• Is your plan flexible? Can you exit at any time without getting charged?
• Are your customer service needs being met?
• Victorian Energy Compare and Energy Made Easy (for customers outside of Victoria) are independent sites that allow you to compare plans across different retailers.
• You should also check for any hidden fees and additional costs you might be paying, or any exit fees you may need to pay if you decide to change providers.

Understand your energy usage

Have a close look at how many kWh of electricity, or MJ of natural gas, you’re using each quarter, along with what tariff you’re currently on. If you’re on a peak rate tariff, or a time of use (TOU) tariff, do these meet your household’s current needs? If you are on TOU or off-peak tariff check what times you should be using your power to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

If you can, try to look at all four quarters for your usage – your energy use will most likely fluctuate as the seasons change. Take note of your average daily usage and use this as the basis for comparing new plans.

A checklist for comparing

Use our quick, and handy, checklist the next time you’re comparing offers:

• Check the rate per kWh/MJ and check the fine print to determine the true energy costs. Check out our Pricing Explained page for a detailed breakdown about how pricing works.
• Since we don’t charge any exit fees, you can try out any Origin plan and swap to another if your needs change.
• Consider the daily supply charge. This is the fee for supplying energy to your property – even if you don’t use any electricity or gas this rate will still apply. These charges can vary from retailer to retailer (and between distributors).
• Find out how often you receive your bill and what your payment options are.
• Do late fees apply? If so, try to avoid them by setting up recurring BPAY payments or an ongoing payment plan like Easipay.
• If you have solar panels, take into account feed-in tariffs and solar specific plans – like Solar Boost.
• Are there any other admin fees for things like paying over the counter or receiving your bill in the post?
• Find out if there’s a contract, how long it’s for and if there are any exit fees should you change your mind and wish to switch providers down the track.
• Are there any other perks? For example virtual power plants, loyalty programs or partnerships like Everyday Rewards or energy-saving rewards programs that add extra value.

The post Tips for finding the best energy plan appeared first on The Origin Blog.

We’re spending over $100M to support vulnerable customers

We know that many households and businesses are feeling the weight of rising expenses. Over the last three years we’ve spent more than $90 million to support vulnerable customers, and we’ll spend up to $50 million to continue to provide support over the coming year. This includes shielding our existing Power On customers from price increases. 

We have a range of financial assistance available

Not everyone’s circumstances are the same, that’s why we have a range of different payment and financial assistance options available. From payment extensions and payment plans to ongoing bill smoothing and the option to switch to monthly billing to help make your bills more manageable – we’re committed to helping our customers pay their energy bills in a way that suits them, and their needs, best. 

Our Power On program offers personalised support

For our customers who may need more of a helping hand, or simply more tailored support, our Power On program is available – we’re here to lessen the worry. Get in touch. We’ll give you access to information and options to help you get on top of your energy bills… and stay there.    

When you’re on Power On, we promise to:  

• Keep you connected 
• Respect you and your situation 
• Apply our hardship policy consistently, fairly and transparently 
• Give you information to help you use less energy 
• Set up a payment plan to fit your capacity to pay 

And we won’t initiate normal debt collection processes. Our dedicated team can also help you get on top of things by helping with:

• Flexible payment plan options 
• Information on Centrepay and how to set up a direct debit 
• Redirecting your bills to a third party at no charge (this helps when someone else is managing your bills) 
• Energy efficiency tips and ideas 
• Help with signing up for state concessions and rebates 
• A referral for financial counselling 
• Ensuring you’re on an energy plan that best suits your needs 

Providing practical energy-saving advice

Small tweaks to your energy habits can result in big savings on your energy bills. We have a range of resources to help you take control of your energy usage at home – without compromising on comfort. Our blog is filled with a range of energy efficiency advice including:   

• Seasonal energy-saving tips for both winter and summer 
• Simple energy hacks to reduce your everyday energy use 
• Clever ways to optimise your home 
  smart plugs 
• Educational explainers to help you understand your energy bills, consumer rights and how to compare energy plans 

Reach out, we’re here to help

We encourage anyone needing a hand getting on top of their energy bills, to gett in touch – our team are here to help. Reach out via the Origin app, email us via hello@origin.com.au or shoot us a Private Message on Facebook or Instagram. Prefer to pick up the phone and chat? Give us a call on 13 24 61.  

The post Our ongoing support for customers appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Pull the plug on hungry appliances

It seems like a no-brainer but many of us often leave appliances on standby when we’re not at home, or away on holiday. While the day-to-day costs of power hungry appliances such as microwaves, TVs and washing machines might not seem high, turning them off at the switch when you’re away from the house for extended periods of time can quickly add up in savings.

In fact, standby power consumption can cost the average household between $104.07 and $176.99 per year. That’s a nice meal you and a friend could be enjoying by the hotel fireplace!

Invest in smart tech

Another great way to prepare for the break is to invest in smart devices such as smart plugs. Smart plugs can help identify areas and sources of high energy use, and allow users to remotely manage household devices or switch them off, with the click of a button.

Monitoring and adjusting appliances like air conditioning units – that might have accidentally been left on (yikes!) – or automating security sensor lights are just two examples of how smart plugs can help you save.

Get house guests up to speed

While many of us may be well versed in how to save energy within our own homes, house sitters might not be as savvy.

One way to ensure your energy use is low while you’re away is to educate house guests on the ins and outs of your home. Simple things like organising a walk through to explain how appliances work, or leaving a helpful checklist for when they leave the house or go to bed at night can keep energy use to a minimum.

For those wanting to go that one step further, why not consider getting the house sitter involved in SpikeHours? Educating them on the interactive nature of Spike and forwarding SpikeHour alerts is a great way to keep in touch and save.  

Those with solar can suggest helpful tips like having showers during the day or setting the washing to run during the middle of the day. Easy changes like these not only reduce the load on the energy grid but save you a dollar or two in the long run by using stored energy from the sun.

Switch off

Creating a list of energy guzzlers around the house in the lead up to your holiday, is a great way to remind yourself what to switch off before you walk out the door.

While we naturally gravitate towards flicking off light switches, have you ever considered other creative ways of saving, like switching off your hot water system while you’re not home? Turning off the hot water system, especially for those set up on timers, can help reduce unnecessary energy use and quickly contribute to savings. 

Other handy saving tips for extended holidays include challenging yourself to make use of what’s in the fridge. Not only does this save on grocery bills but means you can clear out the fridge and switch it off while you’re away.

For more energy saving fun your hip pocket will thank you for this holiday season, check out our Spike program and smart devices store now. 

Keen to find out more about becoming an Origin Spike member?

The post How to save energy at home while on holiday appeared first on The Origin Blog.