Australian households to get free electricity three hours a day
www.abc.net.au
Saying there is enough solar power for everyone in the daytime, the federal government will direct retailers to provide three hours of free power every day to consumers.
  • Nath@aussie.zoneMEnglish
    10·
    5 days ago

    This doesn’t sound like much, but with very minimal effort, it could save over 10% on your power bill.

    Do the washing.
    Cook a meal.
    Run the dishwasher.
    Fill a thermos.
    Crank the aircon to cool/heat the house.

    If your power bill is $400/month, that’s $40 for doing stuff you were already going to do - just in that 3 hour window each day.

    • FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.auEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      If you already do these during the day while your solar is generating enough power to do that, you’re not really saving anything though?

      It will also depend on the extra fees that you have to pay on these plans, and the no doubt higher electricity charge outside of these hours.

      • Nath@aussie.zoneMEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        It may seem like everyone has solar panels, but alas we don’t. For two-thirds of us, this would not be free anyway.

  • vividspecter@aussie.zoneEnglish
    3·
    4 days ago

    Requires a smart meter, although they are getting rolled out to most people. My cheapskate landlord won’t address the asbestos ridden meter box so I’m stuck with a traditional meter for the moment.

    • FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.auEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      Also requires you to sign up to their plans that offer it, which will come with many caveats and higher prices/fees.

      Power companies aren’t in the business of losing money.

      • ikt@aussie.zoneOPEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        Power companies aren’t in the business of losing money.

        Correct, currently they charge you 38c a kw while they pay -10c for the power ;)

  • thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    4 days ago

    The Solar Sharer scheme will initially be introduced to consumers in default market offer regions like NSW, south-east Queensland and South Australia from July next year, with consultation to extend the scheme to other jurisdictions by 2027.

    For Victorians, I believe there are some providers who offer a similar feature already - I don’t want to endorse any particular as this is not an ad; make sure you use our VIC Gov’t Energy Comparison every year to ensure you’re on the lowest-cost contract for your circumstances.