From harnessing solar power to smart home automation, these experiences offer a glimpse into the future of efficient and cost-effective home energy use.

It’s not just about numbers and graphs; it’s about real people making smart choices and seeing awesome results.

Customer 1: Using Solar Power for Efficient Water Heating

We have solar panels installed on our roof and use a standard hot water cylinder to heat our water. A power diverter is in place to redirect any excess solar-generated electricity to our hot water cylinder when our solar production exceeds our needs. Once the cylinder reaches its desired temperature, any surplus power is then fed back into the grid. The power diverter autonomously manages the energy supply to our hot water cylinder. It's programmed to activate at 5 pm for two hours in case there's no solar energy generated during the day, and again at 4 am for two hours, ensuring we have hot water in the morning.

Since we consistently require power at 4 am, I've scheduled our hour of power for this time. On average, we receive 30-40 kW of free power every fortnight, which translates into substantial savings of hundreds of dollars annually.

Customer 2: Integrating Timers and Solar Power with Batteries

Since moving to our new property and adopting a time-of-use rate, we've made considerable adjustments to our lifestyle. Our initial step was simple: avoiding the use of the dishwasher and washing machine during peak hours, which was easily manageable as we both work from home. We've also installed timers on our hot water system, ensuring it heats only during off-peak hours at night. Additionally, we're fortunate to have a solar power system with batteries. I've modified this system by setting the inverter to charge the batteries to 50% by 7 am, when peak rates begin. This charge level is sufficient to get us through the morning peak, even on cloudy days. The system is also programmed to fully charge the batteries before the evening peak. Typically, this is achieved solely through solar power, though occasionally it's supplemented by grid power during shoulder periods.

Our hour of power is set for midnight each day. At this time, the inverter recharges our batteries, and our hot water system reheats, leading to additional savings.

Overall, this strategy has been highly effective, saving us a substantial amount of money compared to the flat rate plans we've previously considered.

Customer 3: Smart Timing cuts Power Costs

Initially, I switched to Electric Kiwi to capitalise on the hour of free power, recognizing that our hot water cylinder was our home's main energy user. I found myself constantly adjusting the hour of power to coincide with our shower times, which became quite a hassle. I eventually found a solution by installing a timer switch on the hot water circuit. We programmed it to activate the hot water for an hour each afternoon during the 'hour of power' and for three hours early in the morning before 7 am. This change has allowed us to shower at our convenience without the need to reschedule the hour of power. It's an excellent arrangement for us!

The most rewarding discovery was that simply by adding a timer to our hot water cylinder, we've been saving at least $60 monthly on our power bill. Hot water was a major energy guzzler, particularly as my wife frequently uses hot water. Now, the cylinder only consumes power during off-peak periods, mainly at the half-price night rate.

Additionally, we've set delay start timers on our washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher to run overnight while we sleep. Our heat pump is also programmed to pre-heat or cool the house during off-peak hours.

There's much we can do to transfer our power usage to off-peak times, and it's surprisingly easy.

Customer 4: EVs and Smart Power Management

My husband and I switched to Electric Kiwi after retiring. After considering various plans, we chose the MoveMaster account, anticipating the purchase of an electric vehicle (EV). This plan has proven to be an excellent way for us to save on electricity costs in multiple ways.

We now own an EV and charge it overnight at the lowest rate. If it only needs a minor boost, we charge it during our free hour of power. Since we have a spa pool and are home during the day, we've scheduled our hour of free power from 9 am to 10 am, which allows the spa to heat up. During this hour, we also run our washing machine and dishwasher and charge our laptops, phones, vacuum cleaner, earbuds, Kindles, and Bluetooth speakers.

I've set alarms on my phone to remind me to switch everything on at 9 am and off at 10 am. I also use our EV's charging app timer for overnight charging. Apart from essentials like the fridge, freezer, hot water system, TV, modem, and toothbrush, we switch everything off at the wall. We're adapting to this routine of turning devices on and off.

The MoveMaster account has made us more mindful of our power consumption, and the Electric Kiwi app is a great tool for tracking our usage.

It may sound like a lot to manage, but we've established a routine that works for us. We adhere to a rule that everything should be done calmly and without stress. When we have visitors, for instance, we're more relaxed and simply do what's feasible.

Customer 5: Automation for Off-Peak Load Shifting

We've been loyal customers for many years now, and while the Hour of Power is fantastic, off-peak load shifting has been a game-changer for us, akin to a ninja-level strategy.

Our home springs to life at off-peak hours, reminiscent of an automation scene from 'Home Alone,' just as we're getting ready for bed. With the arrival of off-peak time, our home buzzes with activity. The various aftermarket wall plug timers we've installed start clicking into action. In winter, our heaters begin to circulate warm air, while our trusty washing machine starts another load, regardless of the season. Outside, our electric vehicles emit a couple of out-of-sync beeps as they start guzzling free electricity. If we're particularly organised, the dryer in the garage hums to life, spinning the day's remaining laundry. Sometimes, we find ourselves scurrying around the house, plugging in other appliances that need charging, or we might use our Alexa voice automation system to manage any we might have forgotten.

The appliances work through the night, completing their tasks, and by morning, we're all recharged and ready for another day of family chaos.

Our top load-shifting tips include:

• Utilising electrical timers, especially Wi-Fi plug timers with app control from a local hardware store, which are particularly useful during the festive season for controlling lights and decorations.
• Pairing these Wi-Fi switches with a budget-friendly voice-activated home automation system helps orchestrate our electrical needs, including Wi-Fi lighting.
• Checking if new appliances have built-in timers or delayed starts to leverage off-peak power.
• Making the most of electric vehicles, which often have built-in charging timers, is ideal for economical transport. Adding a higher capacity wall charger at home allows for faster charging of the vehicle’s batteries.
• Bathing the kids around 2-3 pm or showering after 9 pm, so the water cylinder heats up the next tank with cheaper off-peak electricity.
• Preparing meals early during off-peak or shoulder periods, as appliances like ovens and kettles consume considerable power.
• Avoiding the use of power-hungry appliances during peak times and using Wi-Fi switches to turn them off.

Joining EK has revolutionised how our family uses energy. By selecting quality electrical products, vehicles, and appliances, and automating their usage during the Hour of Power and off-peak periods, we stay prepared for the day ahead. These simple yet carefully refined changes have made us more energy-conscious and saved us significantly on energy costs, for which we are immensely grateful. Thank you for your excellent customer service and for continually offering fresh ideas.

Customer 6: Smart Switches for Off-Peak Usage

We've implemented smart switches and carefully managed appliance timings to maximise off-peak usage. Here's how we've maintained an impressive 77% average in off-peak usage while saving on energy costs:

• We installed an additional smart main switch equipped with a metering function.
• A similar smart switch was installed on the hot water circuit, which also includes timer and metering functions.
• We use a smart multiplug extension with four individually controllable power outlets and two USB outlets, all featuring timer functionality.
• The timers on the latter two are set to align with our chosen hour of power time slot. During this period, rechargeable batteries for our lawnmower, power tools, and electric bikes are charged automatically. We manually switch on other devices like the washing machine, ice maker, and begin pre-cooking the evening’s main meal. Four rechargeable power banks are also charged, ready to power our mobile phones the next day. Instead of using a dryer, we dry our laundry on a clothesline, utilising the sun and wind.

These strategies enable us, a household of two retirees, to average 3 kWh per day for hot water and 3.5 kWh per day for general usage, while maintaining over 77% off-peak usage.

What could MoveMaster mean for me?

Our MoveMaster customers are not just saving money; they’re leading the way in smart, sustainable living.

Their journeys, filled with practical tips and a dash of ingenuity, show us that shifting to a time-of-use plan isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about embracing a lifestyle that values efficiency and environmental stewardship. From the clever use of solar power and batteries to effective automation of household appliances during off-peak hours, these stories aren’t just inspiring—they’re a roadmap to a future where every home can be more energy-smart.

So, whether it’s the middle of the day or the quiet of midnight, our customers are proving that a little planning and some smart tech can make a big difference to your wallet and the planet.

The post How our MoveMaster customers are saving money on a time-of-use plan appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

A smart home is a house that uses smart gadgets and technology to make life easier. These gadgets talk to the internet and can be bossed around from your phone.

When it comes to load shifting, a smart home is like having a team of superheroes managing your energy use. They shift tasks to when electricity is more affordable, giving your wallet a break and making your home kinder to the planet!

With smart home gadgets, you can automate your load shifting and set-and-forget. Let’s take a look at some of the most useful ones.

• Gizmo 1: Smart Plugs. These control when your appliances turn on or off, allowing them to kick in during off-peak hours and turn off when prices are high. Options like Kasa are cheap and effective.
• Gizmo 2: Energy Monitoring Systems. Energy monitoring systems are like Sherlock Holmes, sniffing out the power-hungry culprits in your home. The device sits inside your home’s electrical panel and communicates data via wifi to show you how much energy your home is using overall and which devices are hogging the most energy! This helps you to keep tabs on your energy consumption and make changes to bring down your power bills.
• Gizmo 3: Smart Thermostats. If your heater has no thermostat, consider a Heater mate. These have timers and an accurate thermostat built in for any heater type. They can turn themselves off on a timer or by an ideal temperature you set, so you can schedule your heating and cooling to run during off-peak hours. You can also add a smart thermostat to your hot water cylinder – this will map your usage to decide when it’s safe to turn your cylinder down or off.
• Gizmo 4: Smart Lighting.Lights, camera, energy savings! With smart lighting you can customise your lighting from a smartphone app – programming them to turn on or off at specific times, or to adjust based on natural light conditions. It’s basically mood lighting on steroids, making your home feel a bit more like the future.

Renewable Energy Integration

So, you’re on the renewable energy vibe – nice one! You can beef up your savings by combining your solar panels or other renewable energy sources with time-of-use plans! Here’s how to make the most of your renewable energy:

Align your energy usage with your production of renewables

It’s an obvious one, but try to use energy-intensive appliances (like washing machines, dishwashers and electric water heaters) during daylight hours when your solar panels are producing electricity. This allows you to directly use the energy you generate.

Self consume as much as you can, to avoid lines charges

The cost of electricity from the grid is not solely based on the energy consumed but also includes additional charges such as distribution and transmission fees (lines charges). When you export electricity back to the grid, you receive a feed-in tariff based on the energy portion only, without the added fees, so it is best to self-consume as much of your renewable energy as you can.

Consider throwing in a battery storage system with your solar setup

On those sunny days when your panels are in overdrive, store the excess power in the battery. Then, when peak hours hit and electricity rates spike, release that stored power. It’s a solid backup plan to dodge high rates without breaking a sweat. Check out our solar page for exclusive offers for Electric Kiwi customers.

These moves aren’t just about pinching pennies; they’re about being smart with your energy choices to make substantial savings on your power bills and lessening your impact on the environment. Everybody wins.

The post Make the most of load shifting with Smart Home Devices appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

Here are some practical tips to make the most of load shifting and lower your power bill.

The easy steps!

Tip 1: Toss those dirty dishes in the dishwasher just before you go to bed – you’re not going to empty it until the next morning anyway. Delay that baby and it’ll cost you less.

Tip 2: Start your washing machine during the day or just before you hit the hay. Many machines have a delay feature, so try and get into the habit of delaying it outside of those pesky peaks.

Tip 3: Same goes for the dryer, and these can be power hungry beasts! If it’s too cold outside to dry your clothes properly, keep its use to late at night or during the daytime if you can.

Bonus round: For maximum savings, use your Hour of Power at 11 pm – that way the first hour of your washing/drying/dishwashing extravaganza will be 100% free!

It’s gettin’ hot in here!

Tip 4: Heat things up early, before the peak hours hit. This means that you wake up to a warm house, and doing it early saves you money! Many heaters have timers built in, if not you can buy these – see the ‘timers are your new BFF’ section below.

As it’s usually hottest during the day in summer, use your air con during those daytime off-peak hours whenever possible – it all counts.

Tip 5: Consider investing in a thermostat – which is a device that regulates temperature by maintaining it at a set level. You can buy one at any electronics store, just make sure it is compatible with your heating and cooling systems. Many people heat their houses too much – a cosy, but expensive, habit! Once you’ve set the perfect temperature of your home, you can let your temperature-controlling wizard do the rest, meaning it won’t be driving your heating unit hard during peak hours!

But what does this actually mean in terms of savings? Is it worth it?

Short answer, yes! Take a look at the below table, which shows average power use of the appliances mentioned above, and how much money you could save by moving them from peak to off-peak times. This uses our Kiwi plan rates for peak ($0.4488) and off-peak ($0.3345) ^★.

$6 a week might not seem like much, but it stacks up fast to an awesome $350 a year!

• Dryer

• Dishwasher

• AC/Heatpump

• Washing Machine

Appliance	Dryer
Power Required	6.8 kWh per load
# of times used per week	3
Weekly Savings	$2.33
Annual Savings	$121.25

Total Weekly Savings	$6.79
Total Annual Savings	$353.05

Appliance	Dishwasher
Power Required	2 kWh per load
# of times used per week	5
Weekly Savings	$1.14
Annual Savings	$59.44

Total Weekly Savings	$6.79
Total Annual Savings	$353.05

Appliance	AC / Heatpump
Power Required	3.5 kWh per load
# of times used per week	7
Weekly Savings	$2.80
Annual Savings	$145.62

Total Weekly Savings	$6.79
Total Annual Savings	$353.05

Appliance	Washing Machine
Power Required	0.9 kWh per load
# of times used per week	5
Weekly Savings	$0.51
Annual Savings	$26.75

Total Weekly Savings	$6.79
Total Annual Savings	$353.05

Sources:
Canstar Blue - How Much Electricity Does a Clothes Dryer Use?
Consumer NZ - Appliance running costs
▲Note that kWh consumption is approximate and will vary depending on your usage and the efficiency of your appliances.
★These rates are a blended average from across New Zealand.

If you aren’t on the Kiwi plan, you’ll need to use your electricity rates to get an accurate picture of what you can save, and remember to check the kWh of your own home appliances. As you can see, small changes can make a really huge difference!

For the big win, try these tips

Tip 6: Got a pool or spa? Score big by running those pumps during the off-peak hours. Changing some energy usage habits takes a bit of thought, but running your pool pump off-peak at cheaper rates is a no-brainer! As well as a clean pool, you’ll get a clean conscience from knowing this energy usage is more likely to come from renewable sources.

Tip 7: A huge contributor to your power bill is hot water. Try to shower at night, or early in the morning if you can (before 7am) and you will drastically reduce your hot water costs. Just remember, your hot water cylinder heats up after your shower.

Tip 8: Night owls, rejoice! Tip 8 is to make sure you charge stuff at night. If you have an electric vehicle (EV) this move is a game-changer, but even for laptops and phones night charging means a fresh start every morning. It’s like a power nap for your devices. And the more you charge during off-peak hours, the more you save.

Timers are your new BFF

Check which of your devices have built-in timers and schedule things in off-peak hours like a pro.

No in-built timers? No problem! Grab some smart plugs (such as Kasa). Cheap, effective, and they let you boss your devices around from an app. Perfect for a heater that has a thermostat in it but no timer.

If you like the sounds of gizmos and want to take your load shifting to superhero levels, check out our blog about how to make the most of load shifting with Smart Home Devices.

As you’ve read, there are heaps of ways for you and your family to save a bundle by making small changes and creating new habits. And don’t forget your Hour of Power too! By reducing load in the peak hours, you’ll not only be saving yourself money, but you could also be reducing your impact on the environment. Go you!

The post How to save money on your power bills with load shifting appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

We’re all about making things better – and our Electric Kiwi app was long overdue for some TLC, so we’ve revamped the app to make your experience much better. Here’s what’s new!

You can now make a payment and update your payment method in the app

We heard you! You wanted the ability to make a manual payment in the Electric Kiwi App 2.0 (and be able to update your payment method) and it’s finally here. In the Account section of the app, there’s now a ‘Make a payment’ button – no need to jump on your laptop to top up your account.

We’ve upgraded the security of our platform

We’ve upgraded the underlying technology of our online account and app to a more modern and secure platform. Keeping up to date with the latest security upgrades helps us keep your data safe and sound!

Things are looking fresh!

Our visual style has evolved and we’ve updated the app’s design to reflect that. We take pride in our signature (in-house made!) artwork and design. As an added bonus, the new design allows us to make improvements and add new features much easier in the future. So we can keep serving up more of the stuff you love, even faster!

At this stage, the new app update will be optional. But as we will no longer maintain the old app, we’ll be retiring it shortly.

Once you’ve updated to the new app, you will be asked to login. If you’ve forgotten your password, don’t fret – you can easily reset it by clicking the ‘Forgot password?’ link. Remember: your password is the same for the online account and the app.

We’re working on even more new features in the app and we’re so excited to share them with you soon. In the meantime, if you need some help troubleshooting the app or have suggestions on how we can make it better, our team on live chat would be happy to help.

Electric Kiwi App 2.0 on the iOS App Store

Electric Kiwi App 2.0 on the Google Play Store

The post App 2.0 is here! appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

But don’t worry, there are tons of easy and practical steps you can take to save on your heating bills this winter. Check out these tips that range from small lifestyle changes to bigger home upgrades. Let’s get started!

Whether it’s sealing air leaks, reversing your ceiling fan, or taking advantage of the Hour of Power, every little bit counts towards a more sustainable future.

Get a home energy audit

Consider getting a professional home energy audit to identify any areas where you can improve energy efficiency. This can help you save money on your power bill in the long run. Many energy efficiency companies offer this for free. You can also visit your city council’s website for more information regarding free energy audits.

See if you’re eligible for an insulation and/or heating subsidy

This grant covers 80% of the total cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation. In some areas the cost to you may be even lower, thanks to generous funding from community organisations. Visit the EECA website to see if you qualify for grants.

Seal air leaks

Place draught stoppers along the bottom of your doors and windows to prevent cold air from entering your home. This can significantly reduce your heating costs.

Use draught stoppers

Place draught stoppers along the bottom of your doors and windows to prevent cold air from entering your home. This can significantly reduce your heating costs.

Reverse your ceiling fan

Set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise in the winter. This will push the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the room.

Use LED lights

Replace your incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. According to Gen Less, LED light bulbs use up to 85% less electricity than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and can last 15 times longer. They cost more upfront – but the long-term savings are worth it.

Make the most out of the Hour of Power

Run your dryer, dishwasher, oven, and everything else you can during your free hour. On average our customers save a further 9.5% on their bills with the free hour, with some extra dedicated people saving more than 30%!

Go off-peak with Movemaster

If you tend to use your heat pump overnight during winter, you can save with our MoveMaster plan – cheaper off peak rates and half price overnight (11pm 7am)! For half the price, you can stay cosy while you sleep.

By practising these energy-saving tips, you can reduce your power bills during winter without compromising on comfort. Whether it’s sealing air leaks, reversing your ceiling fan, or taking advantage of the Hour of Power, every little bit counts towards a more sustainable future. By making these changes, you can not only save money, but also contribute towards reducing your carbon footprint.

The post How to save on your power bills this winter appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

So what is solar energy?

Solar energy is generated by the sun. This energy is captured and turned into usable electricity to help power your fridge, washing machine, computer, TV and anything else. Solar power is amazing because it gives individual
households the opportunity to use genuinely renewable energy at home, even if you still have to rely on the power grid at times.

Solar panels are made of conductive materials. The panels absorb sunlight with photovoltaic cells which create direct current (DC) electricity. Through an inverter the DC energy is then converted to usable alternating current (AC) energy. AC energy flows through the home’s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly.

The benefits of solar clearly outweigh the negatives, as long as you can afford the initial upfront cost.

Should you get solar?

Installing solar should be thought of as an investment rather than something that guarantees savings overnight. It’s an investment in your future energy bills, as well as in your property given that having solar could increase the value of your home. You should definitely go into it with a good idea of how much your solar system will cost, how much it will reduce your power bills, and how long it will take before you see a return on your investment.

In the right circumstances – and with the right power plan – it’s possible to drastically reduce your bills with solar. Here are a few steps to run through when considering solar in the first place:

• Size up your roof and the direction the solar panels will be facing. The pitch of your roof is a crucial detail when considering solar panels. A qualified solar installer can help you with this.
• Shop around for the best solar installation deal and ensure that you’re getting the right size system for< your property. The largest system might sound appealing but may not prove the most economic choice in the long run.
• Look into your electricity options. All our plans are solar friendly, and our MoveMaster plan has an awesome buyback rate, but it’s always important to look around.

The installation and setup of a solar system is a large investment, but the payoff can be high. You can also significantly reduce your personal carbon output with solar.

Is solar worth it? How long until I get a return?

The price of solar panels in New Zealand has decreased significantly in the last five years, making it a much more affordable option for homeowners. Rooftop solar is a smart choice for virtually any Kiwi home with an unshaded roof and some daytime power usage. The payback for most solar systems is between three to seven years, but this depends on several factors including available sunlight, panel position, electricity prices, the cost of the system and the amount of self-consumption.

Self-consumption is the key to getting the most out of a solar system these days. This means using as much of the electricity produced by your panels as possible. Self-consuming solar energy helps avoid purchasing energy from the grid. It’s even better if you have a battery to store any unused power for later use. Here’s our guide to using your battery as effectively as possible.

Are solar panels difficult to maintain?

Solar panels are usually not difficult to maintain as they’re designed for the outdoors and made to withstand any type of weather. However, they will need an annual clean to ensure that dirt, leaves and animal droppings aren’t obstructing the effectiveness of them.

What about when it’s rainy or cloudy?

Solar panels need unobstructed access to the sun’s UV rays to work at an optimum level. Therefore, solar panels will still generate electricity on overcast, rainy days – it’s just a little more limited than it would be on sunny days. You can check Solcast.com to see what the typical solar radiation is for New Zealand in your area.

To solar or not to solar?

The benefits of solar clearly outweigh the negatives, as long as you can afford the initial upfront cost, which can be significant. If you own a home you intend to live in or keep for many years, it’s almost a no-brainer. But if you’re not sure how long you will stay, it may not be worth it.

There is, of course, the added bonus of contributing to the green energy transition. By powering your home directly from the sun as much as you can, you’ll be less reliant on the power grid and therefore helping to reduce the need
for dirty power generation. Ultimately though, it’s a personal decision and dependent on your budget. Good luck with it!

The post Solar 101 appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

Nice one. Batteries are a great way to flatten your energy usage to avoid peak times, and to save solar generation for busy periods in the day.

We want to help you get the most out of your battery, and with the MoveMaster plan you have a huge opportunity to maximise the cost savings by using off-peak periods to charge. Moving power off-peak can reduce your impact on the environment, so it helps your wallet as well as the planet.

With the MoveMaster plan you have three different prices, and your free Hour of Power too!

1. The peak time slots are between 7am-9am and 5pm-9pm daily.
2. The off-peak shoulder time slots are between 9am-5pm and 9pm-11pm every day.
3. The off-peak night time slot is between 11pm-7am daily.
4. Your hour of free power can be used in any off-peak period

To make the most of MoveMaster, and your battery, we recommend you power the house from the battery during peak times of day, and to charge your battery at the cleanest and cheapest times.

How our MoveMaster plan works

Having a solar battery installed is a great way to save on power costs, as well as support the energy transition. But are you getting the most value from yours?

What this looks like in practice

11pm -7am (Off-peak Night): Fully charge your battery
Power is generally the cleanest and the cheapest (half price on MoveMaster!) during this time.

6am – 9am (Peak): Power the house from the battery
Carbon emissions from electricity generation are generally higher during peak periods. And peak prices are higher. This is the best time to use your battery!

9am – 4pm (Off-peak Shoulder): Power the house from the grid and/or solar if you have it
This period has average emissions and pricing. While rates are cheaper than peak times, it will still be more expensive than your half price overnight rate. If you have solar, make sure it’s fully charging the battery before powering the house during the evening peak.

4pm-5pm (Off-peak Shoulder): Make this your Hour of Power and charge your battery up before the next peak period
If you have solar and your battery is already charged, you could opt to have your Hour of Power at a different time – but make sure you’re charging your battery while the sun shines.

5pm-9pm (Peak): Power the house from the battery
Carbon emissions from electricity generation are generally higher during peak periods. And peak prices are higher. This is the best time to use your battery!

9pm-11pm (Off-peak Shoulder): Use what’s left in the battery
This is the second ‘shoulder period’. Wait to charge your battery until 11pm, and use any charge you have left to power your home.

Assistance with battery optimisation

We’re starting to work directly with customers with batteries to analyse their usage and to conduct trials on optimising their batteries for them. These trials create real-world case studies that we can use to communicate the benefits of batteries to even more Kiwis.

If you would like us to look at your situation, and be part of these trials, get in touch by emailing: batteries@electrickiwi.co.nz

This blog talks about how to optimise your battery for power usage. To optimise your battery for a longer life, we suggest contacting the manufacturer.

The post How to use your battery to save with MoveMaster appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

However, if you only use your spa pool on weekends, the best way to reduce your power bill is to turn off the heater during the week. This way, you’ll only need to heat it up once, and for the next two days you can just maintain the temperature. For example, you can start the heater on a Friday evening and keep it at your desired temperature throughout the weekend, then turn off the heater once you’ve finished using it but keep the circulation pump running. You still need to run the circulation pump for at least 4 hours, twice a day to ensure that the water doesn’t stagnate.

“In most situations, 2 x 4 hour filtration cycles is more than enough to keep the spa clean” Daryl Carruthers, owner of Spa Depot, says. “And if you use the spa at the same time most days, you can set the filtration cycles around when you are most likely to use the spa. For example, if you use the spa at 7pm every night, have one of the filtration cycles set to run from 3-7pm that way the spa will be up to the set temperature ready to go at 7pm.”

If you own a spa, our MoveMaster plan is a great choice for you because it rewards our customers for using electricity at off-peak times, including half price rates overnight (11pm-7am). This is a great way to use less power and save cash whenever you want to heat your spa pool. This can also be the time when you run the second 4-hour circulation pump for the day.

The difference between some all-inclusive power rates (where you’re charged the same rates all day) and our half price overnight rates on MoveMaster can be huge. We encourage customers to shift as much energy usage off-peak as possible to reduce their overall bills, but the savings are especially appealing when you specifically look at the cost of running your spa.

The more times you heat up your spa pool overnight, the bigger savings you can get with Movemaster.

Spa pool circulation and heat pump power usage can vary significantly depending on the type and size, as well as the pump’s energy-efficiency, but we think this is a reasonable guide. You can replicate these calcs yourself if you know your spa pump’s annual kWh consumption (it’s simply x kWh multiplied by the rate).

Rethinking the time you heat your spa could also save you a bundle.

How long should you run your spa circulation and heat pump?

Many spa pool manufacturers actually recommend running the heat pump consistently if you use it frequently. The main reason for this is because it’s more energy-efficient to keep the water warm than to heat it up daily. For this reason, we recommend heating the spa during our half-price rates (which is 11pm-7am for our MoveMaster plan) and maintaining the temperature afterwards by keeping the pump on and by using a high quality spa cover when not in use. You’ll be using less energy once the pump’s just maintaining the temperature of the water in the spa pool.

As for the circulation pump, it’s usually recommended to run them every 4 hours, twice a day even if you’re not using it daily to prevent bacteria, algae and insects from breeding in your spa.

The guides above are the most recommended advice from spa pool companies, but we’d still advise you to run these past your spa pool supplier to ensure that these settings apply to your own spa as well.

Master your pool pump with MoveMaster

If you have a spa pool, the cost of heating is likely going to be one of the most costly activities at your home. So, it’s worth limiting the impact it has on your overall power bill as much as possible. One way is by paying a decent rate for the energy consumption and heating the spa at the cheapest times. That’s where we recommend our MoveMaster plan.

MoveMaster is a great plan to choose if you have the luxury of owning a spa pool – the half price overnight rates could give you large savings per year. Who would have thought that ‘luxury’ and ‘savings’ can end up in the same sentence?

Have you got a swimming pool? Learn how to save on swimming pool costs with Movemaster.

For further reading on spa pool energy usage, we suggest the following sites:
Lay-Z Spa
mySpa Sydney
Jacuzzi

The post Enjoy your spa for less with MoveMaster appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

Our MoveMaster plan is awesome because it rewards our customers for using electricity at off-peak times, including half price rates overnight (11pm-7am). This is great for saving cash but also pretty sweet because using power away from the peak period means it’s more likely to be coming from renewable sources. Win-win for the environment AND your budget.

It works out particularly well if you have a pool pump to run. The difference between some all-inclusive power rates and our half price overnight rates on MoveMaster can be huge. We encourage customers to shift as much usage off-peak as possible to reduce their overall bills but the savings are especially appealing when you specifically look at the cost of running the pool pump.

Here’s a quick example to make our point, using our MoveMaster overnight rate compared to a competitive all-day rate you could get somewhere else (we’re using a decent rate here when we could easily show an expensive one to really make the point). These calcs assume your pool pump uses about 2,000kWh of electricity per year.

Pool pump power usage can vary significantly depending on the type and size, as well as the pump’s energy efficiency, how long it’s used every day and if the pool is heated or not, but we think this is a reasonable guide. You can replicate these calcs yourself if you know your pump’s annual kWh consumption (it’s simply x kWh multiplied by the rate).

Rethinking the time you heat your spa could also save you a bundle.

Which pool pump is cheapest to run?

Pool pumps come in all different shapes and sizes, so give it some thought before diving in. Here are the most common types of pump pumps.

• Single speed: Generally the most affordable to buy outright, but the most expensive to run because it only operates one speed.
• Dual speed: This type has two different speeds with varying outputs, meaning lower speeds use less energy but usually take more time to run.
• Multiple/variable speed: This is the latest technology in pool pumps that allow users to adjust and control the speed, making them more affordable to run.

How long should you run your pool pump?

A pool pump will typically need to run for between six and eight hours each day, but this will depend on how long it takes to circulate, clean and filter the water.

Pool pumps might need to run for longer in summer compared to winter, as seasonal factors come into play, like climate and foliage in the pool. Finally, how much activity your pool gets and if you have a pool cover can also affect the time it takes to properly clean.

Master your pool pump with MoveMaster

If you have a swimming pool, your pool pump is almost certainly going to be one of the most energy-draining appliances at your place, very likely the most of all. That’s the price you pay for that lifestyle! So, it’s worth limiting the impact it has on your overall power bill as much as possible, which means paying a decent rate for the consumption and only running the pump at the cheapest times. That’s where our MoveMaster plan shines.

There are lots to love about MoveMaster, but if you have a pool, the half price overnight rates will go down swimmingly.

Have you got a spa pool? Learn how to save on spa pool heating costs with Movemaster.

The post Save on pool costs with MoveMaster appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.