First thing’s first what is Spike?
Spike is our energy-saving rewards program. With Spike, you’ll be rewarded for meeting energy-saving goals during peak demand periods (we call these SpikeHours). Customers who sign up to Spike will be alerted via email or SMS whenever there’s an upcoming SpikeHour, giving them the option to participate. During a SpikeHour members are challenged to reduce their energy usage by making simple tweaks to how they use energy – like turning off lights, delaying a load of washing or adjusting the temperature on their heater/air conditioner.
Every watt of power you save during a Spike event turns into currency you can then redeem for PayPal cash or gift cards from a range of retailers (including Kmart, Myer, Woolworths and Bunnings).
How do I join a SpikeHour?
Previously, your participation in scheduled SpikeHours happened automatically when you signed up to Spike, but now you’ll need to opt-in. Simply click or tap the link in the email or SMS you receive about an upcoming SpikeHour and you’re in! We’ve made this change so SpikeHours work around your life and its important moments. And, if you choose not to participate, no worries – we’ll freeze your streak until the next SpikeHour.
What are smart devices?
Put simply, smart devices are clever appliances that have the ability to communicate with other wireless devices around your home. They offer the ability to control a range of different appliances – like home theatre systems, lighting and power points – remotely, often via your smart phone with an app. You can even set up schedules or queues to get the most out of them – think turning the AC down to a specific setting when it’s a certain time (or even temperature outside).
What do smart devices have to do with Spike?
A lot! On top of adopting energy-saving habits and switching off energy vampires, integrating smart devices in your home to automate and monitor energy usage, can help you consume less energy overall – and increase your chances of earning Watts during SpikeHours.
Spike members can automate energy savings by connecting their own smart devices, like TP-Link smart plugs and Sensibo Sky thermostats, via My Account. And once connected, we can request permission via SMS to remotely manage registered smart devices during a SpikeHour, meaning you can sit back, relax and enjoy your SpikeHour – instead of running around the house switching everything off.
Smart devices we love for saving energy
Smart plugs and power strips
Smart plugs and power strips let you control individual appliances remotely. By turning off non-essential devices during SpikeHours, you can significantly reduce standby power consumption. Smart plugs can be scheduled or controlled through their apps, making energy management simple.
Smart appliances
If you have a washing machines or dishwasher with smart features, you might also be able to time when they run. This means you can easily schedule that load to run outside of a Spike event. By delaying energy-intensive tasks until after SpikeHours, you can reduce your energy consumption when the grid is under the most strain – and get rewarded for it.
Energy monitoring devices
Energy monitors can be a valuable tool to help understand the way you use energy as a household. These devices are great for providing real-time insights, helping you identify which appliances are the most energy hungry. Helping you make informed decisions on which appliances to turn off during SpikeHours. As a bonus, they can also help you develop more energy-savvy habits over the long term.
Five sure-fire ways to get the most out of your smart devices
- Plan ahead: use smart devices to schedule energy-intensive tasks outside of SpikeHours.
- Stay informed: Keep an eye on notifications about upcoming SpikeHours.
- Automate your home: Set routines that automatically adjust your energy usage during SpikeHours.
- Monitor and adjust: use energy monitoring devices to track your consumption and identify areas for improvement
- Engage the household: encourage everyone in your home to participate in energy-saving efforts.
Ready to get rewarded for saving energy?
