Smart devices are transforming the way households take control of their energy use. We take a look at how combining smart devices with our energy-saving rewards program, Spike, can help make your home more energy efficient and help save on energy costs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spike is our energy-saving<\/a> rewards program. With Spike<\/a>, you\u2019ll be rewarded for meeting energy-saving goals during peak demand periods (we call these SpikeHours). Customers who sign up to Spike<\/a> will be alerted via email or SMS whenever there\u2019s an upcoming SpikeHour<\/a>, giving them the option to participate. During a SpikeHour<\/a> members are challenged to reduce their energy usage by making simple tweaks to how they use energy \u2013 like turning off lights, delaying a load of washing or adjusting the temperature on their heater\/air conditioner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every watt of power you save during a Spike event<\/a> turns into currency you can then redeem for PayPal cash or gift cards from a range of retailers (including Kmart, Myer, Woolworths and Bunnings). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously, your participation in scheduled SpikeHours<\/a> happened automatically when you signed up to Spike<\/a>, 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\u2019re 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 \u2013 we’ll freeze your streak until the next SpikeHour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put simply, smart devices<\/a> 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 \u2013 like home theatre systems, lighting and power points \u2013 remotely, often via your smart phone with an app. You can even set up schedules or queues to get the most out of them \u2013 think turning the AC down<\/a> to a specific setting when it\u2019s a certain time (or even temperature outside).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot! On top of adopting energy-saving habits<\/a> and switching off energy vampires<\/a>, integrating smart devices in your home<\/a> to automate and monitor energy usage, can help you consume less energy overall \u2013 and increase your chances of earning Watts during SpikeHours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Spike members can automate energy savings by connecting their own smart devices<\/a>, like TP-Link smart plugs and Sensibo Sky thermostats, via My Account<\/a>. 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<\/a> \u2013 instead of running around the house switching everything off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>. Smart plugs can be scheduled or controlled through their apps, making energy management simple.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> when the grid is under the most strain \u2013 and get rewarded for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> over the long term.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to get rewarded for saving energy?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow do I join a SpikeHour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are smart devices?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What do smart devices have to do with Spike?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Smart devices we love for saving energy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Smart plugs and power strips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smart appliances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Energy monitoring devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Five sure-fire ways to get the most out of your smart devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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