Did you know Kiwi’s collectively spend around $400 million every year on unused mobile data? Shocking, right? Well, Kiwi Mobile is here to put an end to this madness and save you money with our innovative mobile plan.

Research shows that on average, Kiwis on post pay plans have about 6.7GB of mobile data unused every month. That’s a whopping 72.4 million gigabytes going down the drain annually. More than half of us (59%) are paying for more data than we actually need, and it’s no wonder that 68% of us want more flexibility in our mobile plans.

The Solution: Kiwi Mobile’s Choice Plan

Kiwi Mobile’s CEO, Luke Blincoe, has had enough of Kiwis being ripped off by inflexible mobile plans.

The current plans in the market are designed to make us pay for more data than we need, even the so-called ‘rollover’ plans.

Kiwi Mobile’s new plan is here to change the game.

How It Works:

Basically it’s one plan, that’s all the plans. You start with a 5GB max speed data allocation, then if you run out you can either use slower data (1.2Mb/s) for the rest of the month, or level up to the next tier (10GBs) to keep using fast data. You can keep levelling up all the way to 100GBs of max speed data. 

So if you need more fast data this month, go for it. If you don’t, that’s cool, you won’t need to pay for it either. Of course you can automate all of this easily in the snazzy new Kiwi Central app.

“It’s like being able to upgrade your plan whenever you want without the hassle of actually doing it several times a month,” says Luke. You only pay for the higher tiers on the days you use them, so no more getting ripped off or worrying about running out of data.

Transparency and Savings

We’re shedding light on the confusing tactics used by traditional telcos. These companies often encourage us to pay for more data than we need because it costs them very little to provide it. 

For example, if you’re on one competitor’s $65 endless plan with 15GB of data but only use 9GB, you still pay the full amount. With Kiwi Mobile, you’d only pay $44 for 9GB.

If you need 15GB, you pay $49, and if you go up to 89GB, you still only pay $61. You can use up to 100GB of max-speed data without breaking the bank.

No Hidden Costs, No Sneaky Fees

Following the Commerce Commission’s guidelines, Kiwi Mobile’s Choice plan has no hidden costs or penalty fees for leaving. Including sneaky notice periods.

A Brand You Can Trust

Kiwi Mobile is brought to you by Electric Kiwi, one of New Zealand’s most-loved power and broadband brands. So customers can expect the same award-winning service and customer support with wait times under a minute. Kiwi Mobile operates on 2degrees’ mobile network, covering 98.5% of the places where Kiwis live and work.

Join the Revolution

“We are fired up,” says Luke. “We intend to really bring the challenge to the big guys, and our goal is that Kiwis are the benefactors of that.”

Ready to stop wasting money on unused mobile data? Check out Kiwi Mobile today and start saving!

Data on wasted gigs based on research commissioned by Kiwi Mobile and conducted by Perceptive in 2024.

Comparison based on competitor’s 15GB Endless data plan $65/month (15GB at Max Speed) taken from thier website on 11.7.24 and compared to Kiwi Mobiles Choice Plan. Monthly Kiwi Mobile price rounded to the nearest dollar, and estimated assuming max speed data usage is spread equally across an average monthly data cycle (30.42 days). Kiwi Mobile Choice Plan Max speeds up to chosen data tier allowance (to 100GB per month), then Endless data at reduced max speeds of 1.2mbps. T&Cs and Fair Use Policy apply.

Flexible, fair, and designed to save you money. That’s better.

The post Why Kiwi Mobile is shaking up the mobile industry appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

The Good, the Bad, and the Data-Hungry

Group mobile plans can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, they can save you money if everyone’s on the same page about data usage. But let’s be real, who hasn’t been stuck with that one mate who streams Netflix 24/7 and blows through the whole data allowance before you can say “Bob’s your uncle”? Or that same person that means you need to join another group plan where you all have heaps of max speed data you don’t need.

Kiwis all have different needs in terms of data, and until now there was no easy way for Kiwis to get the benefit of buddying up as well as the freedom to have the plan that suits them best.  The good news is we reckon that’s all changed now Kiwi Mobile is on the scene.

The Kiwi Mobile Difference: Having buddies pays off

That’s where Kiwi Mobile’s option to add Buddies comes in. Unlike some of the other fellas, we reckon everyone should have their own max speed data allowance and not be tied to one data cap.

It means an end to paying a premium for someone else’s TikTok addiction.  

You can add friends and family to your plan while keeping everyone’s data separate! No sharing, no all having to pick the same max speed data limit.

Here’s the deal:

Let’s do a quick comparison on group plans by provider. As you can see, Kiwi mobile’s Choice plan has its nose ahead in terms of the features listed.

Details taken from an online review on the 15th of July 2024

So, are group mobile plans a good idea?

In a word. Yeah.

Adding Buddies can save you all some cash.

But we reckon that our Choice plan offers better freedom and therefor more potential savings than the others. 

To find out what you can save head to our site. In a few minutes you can calculate what you and your buddies could save!

Better yet. Call a buddy and crack on!

Learn more about buddies with Kiwi Mobile’s Choice plan here

Can include up to four buddies. Each buddy plan must be added to a primary account holders billing account who is responsible for all charges. You each get max speeds up to chosen data tier allowance (to 100GB per month), then Endless data at reduced max speeds of 1.2mbps.

The post Group Mobile Plans: Yay or Nay? A Kiwi’s Guide to Shared Plans appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

Type 1: The ‘buy enough, but don’t always use it’ people.

Annual Saving: $271

This is a common group in NZ. People who never want to run out of max speed data, so they buy enough to make sure that this does not happen (or at least very rarely). These types can end up paying for max speed data that they don’t use, especially in quieter months. So how does this look when we look at a real 12 months of bills?

The key difference with Kiwi Mobile’s Choice Plan, is that our plan flexes with your data usage. You don’t need to pay for 12, 15 or 100 GBs of max speed data every month just in case you might need it. You commit to 5GBs, and then after that you can use up to 100GBs of max speed data each month. 

This is Andy. To make the comparison fairer, below we’ve compared his old telco’s 15GB plan (the one they have in market based on our review done on 16/07/24)) – but note that in September, he was actually slowed down on his old 12GB plan. As you can see, every month he would have been better off on Kiwi Mobile’s Choice plan, and based on Andy’s actual usage he would have saved $271 over the last year with Kiwi Mobile.

Type 2: The ‘use more than you buy’ people.

Annual Saving: $167

So this is Tessa. She is with a big Telco and pays $63 a month for 12GBs of max speed data. As you can see below Tessa gets slowed down a LOT because she frequently uses more than 12GB of max speed data each month . In fact she was using endless data (at 1.2MB/s) 11 months out of the 12 we looked at.

Endless data is great! It can help you control costs. With Kiwi Mobile’s Choice plan, you get endless data too (at the end of every tiers). The difference is that you can keep to max speed all the way to 100GBs each month if you want to without any hassle. You are in charge.

So comparing Tessa’s usage, she could have stayed on max speed data with Kiwi Mobile every month, and she still would have saved $167 over the year! Cool huh?

Note that Tessa is still on this plan, but the big telco she is with does not offer this plan anymore according to their website (review done on 16/07/24). The closest current option from this telco would be 18GBs of endless data for $72 a month.

Type 3: The ‘buy lots, but hardly ever use it’ people

Annual Saving: $298

Let’s take a look at Christine. She was buying 12GBs of max speed data for $65 a month (Like Andy, she could now upgrade to 15GBs of max speed data for the same price with the big telco).

Unlike Andy, Christine hardly ever uses lots of max speed data. And like lots of Kiwis, she has a bigger allowance because she does not want to get slowed down. 

So based on the year’s usage shown, Christine would have saved $298 over the year with Kiwi Mobile. She’d have stopped buying so much max speed data that didn’t end up being used – but she would have the freedom to use as much as she likes. That’s better aye?

It’s worth noting that even on the same big telco’s $45 plan (with 5GBs of max speed data), Christine would still have saved $58 with Kiwi mobile. So there is no need to have data anxiety anymore. Just get all the fast data you need, and pay for what you use!

Note that Christine is still on this plan, but the big telco she is with does not offer this plan anymore according to their website (review done on 16/07/24). The closest current option from this telco would be 15GBs of endless data for $65 a month. This would not change the comparison above.

The Kiwi Mobile Choice plan is like having one plan that’s all the plans. Use a little one month, and heaps the next, but only pay for the max speed data that you actually use.

The post All the different savers appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

To help you really understand the nuts and bolts, we’ll take you through a few examples of how you might use it, and what things might cost.

Andy’s plan.

Andy was with another big telco previously, and the below graph shows his monthly usage over a year (this is real usage from one of our staff). As you can see, he was paying $65 for 12GBs of max speed data (note the allowance has recently moved up to 15GBs). Andy used between 5GBs and 13GBs a month over the year.

The key difference with Kiwi mobile’s Choice Plan, is that our plan flexes with your data usage. You don’t need to pay for 12 or 15 GBs every month just in case you might need them. You commit to 5GBs, and then after that you can use up to 100GBs of max speed data each month and just pay for what you use. You get peace of mind, and save!

To make the comparison fairer, we’ve shown the below compared to his old telco’s 15GB plan – but note that in September, Andy was actually slowed down on his 12GB plan (he is still complaining about it). As you can see, every month Andy would have been better off on  Kiwi Mobile’s Choice plan.

Based on Andy’s actual usage he would have saved $271 with Kiwi mobile.

You may look at this usage and say, why did Andy not just move to that big telco’s 5GB plan ($45 per month)? 

Good question. But if Andy did, based on this usage, he would still save $39 annually with Kiwi Mobile, and he would avoid being slowed down 6 months out of 12. Sounds like he is better off with us.

Drilling into usage

Let’s look into a few examples of how monthly usage might work and what that would cost on the Kiwi Mobile Choice Plan (vs with his old big telco). We’ll look at January, February and March on Andy’s Kiwi Mobile Choice  plan. Note that the data used each day here is estimated, as his old telco did not have historical daily data usage available for this analysis. 

When we talk about data used below, we are assuming that all of it was max speed data (e.g. Andy was on the max speed mode and levelled up at the end of each tier).

Getting nerdy

With Kiwi mobile, you don’t have to level up to more max speed data when you run out. If you’d rather save more money, you can continue at the end of any tier on endless data (it just means you slow down to 1.2mb/s – which can be annoying for some things, but for email and simple stuff it’s ok). So let’s look at a few examples.

1. Capping your tier

This shows the price difference on Kiwi Mobile’s Choice plan if Andy had capped his max speed data at 10GBs in March. As you can see it would have cost $46 with the 10GB cap in place, and Andy would have spent 6 days on endless data (at 1.2Mb/s). To stay on max speed data the whole time it would have cost Andy $47.80 ($1.80 more to stay at max speed).

2. Using lots of max speed data

The cool thing about Kiwi Mobile, is that you can save if you use lots too. But just because you need to use lots of max speed data some (or heaps) of the time, it should not mean you need to pay for lots every month right?

The below example shows a comparison between a made up customer (let’s call him Bob) that used 86GBs. The comparison is between the other telco’s $85 unlimited plan. To stay on max speed the entire time, Bob would have paid $60.40 on Kiwi Mobile’s Choice Plan, and if Bob had capped his max speed data at 40GBs, then he would have paid $59.40.

One of the best things about the Choice plan, is that while you know you have heaps of max speed data when you need it, you just don’t need to pay for the luxury!

Let’s look at a month where Bob only used 28.81GBs (still a lot for many people, but lower than average for Bob). As you can see Bob would pay just $52.40 with Kiwi Mobile, compared to his normal $85 with the other telco. That’s over $30 of savings in just one month!

The Kiwi Mobile Choice plan is flexible and fair and designed to save you money. You never need to worry about running out of max speed data, but you only pay for the max speed data that you need. That’s better.

Note: Prices for competitors sourced from their websites on 16/07/2024

The post Understanding the Choice plan appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

What do you mean by “peaky”?

The electricity market gets really peaky when there is a lot of demand for electricity stretching capacity to supply. This is when wholesale spot prices soar, and also when we tend to use more of that dirty generation (like coal).

Normal peaks occur in the morning (between 7 – 9am) when we’re all busy getting ready for our day, or in the evening (between 5 – 9pm) when we’re all back home cooking and doing whatever we need to do! When things get really peaky during these times then we have a Peaky Event.

How does Peaky Bank help?

At Electric Kiwi, we are all about loadshifting, as it reduces costs for our customers and helps reduce New Zealand’s emissions by reducing demand when it’s peaky so less coal and gas needs to be burned.

We believe that Kiwis deserve a seat at the table. Peaky Bank is your opportunity to help reduce those peaks when there’s a Peaky Event and be rewarded for doing so.

Key things to know:

1. Peaky Events will last for 1 – 3 hours and will very likely be during normal morning and evening peak times. They will most likely be during winter and early spring.
2. We will send customers Peaky Bank notifications by email and app when things are peaky – this will likely be the night before morning events or by lunchtime for evening events.
3. You can opt out of these notifications at any time.
4. Peaky Bank notifications will let you know the time and length of the peaky period.
5. To be eligible for the reward you need to opt in to each event.
6. If you choose to participate you will be paid $2/kWh for the electricity that you reduce (this will be calculated based on your normal usage using the method described below)

How do I maximise my rewards?

We don’t recommend that people sit in the dark or go cold. But there are simple things you can do to reduce your electricity usage for an hour or two.

1. Turn off lights in rooms you are not using.
2. Turn off heating in rooms you are not using.
3. Delay putting on the washing machine, dryer or dishwasher.
4. Delay charging things like phones, computers and cars.
5. Turn off stuff that you are not using (like the TV in the spare room).

FAQs

How do you figure out how much I reduced my power by?

We will take the half-hourly profile of your power usage over the past four weekdays, or four weekend days (if the Peaky Event is on a weekend). These four days will exclude any days which had a Peaky Event.

We will then calculate how much your profile changed during the Peaky Event and then calculate the energy saved in kWh based on your total energy usage on the day.

When will this happen?

Peaky Bank rewards are more likely to happen in the morning, and the evening and during the winter months. This is because this is when Kiwis use the most power.

When will my Peaky Bank credits hit my account?

We will run a process monthly to credit your account for all of the peaky bank rewards that you are due. Some months this may be for multiple events.

Are these events an emergency?

No. Only Transpower can issue warning notices about potential supply issues with the national grid. The national grid is very well managed, and while things get tight (and expensive) fairly often, this does not usually mean there is anything to worry about. However, it is possible that a Peaky Event coincides with a Transpower warning notice.

Either way, as a household you are not obligated to reduce or shift your load, as Transpower, the distribution networks, generators and very large electricity consumers are also doing their part to manage the risk. However, you still might want to take part to add to your Peaky Bank, help reduce emissions and just generally be helpful as every little bit counts!

Do I have to do this?

Nope. We know this is not for everyone. If you don’t want to participate you do not need to, and if you want to stop getting notifications you can opt out (we will provide this option on all of the email notifications, and then remove you from the list if you ask us to).

There might be the rare occasion when there is a genuine grid emergency. In this case we will notify you of this and post social media messages. You will also hear about it directly from Transpower and from trusted news media.

The post Introducing Peaky Bank appeared first on Electric Kiwi Times.

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.

We have introduced time-of-use pricing across all of our plans. To understand why, it helps to understand the basics of power generation.

In New Zealand, energy is sold in half-hour chunks. The market figures out how much power is needed, and then generators toss in their bids. It starts with eco-friendly cheaper generation like solar, hydro and wind.

The more power we need, the less likely the green sources can meet all of the demand. So expensive heavy weights like coal, gas, and diesel are bid in at much more expensive prices.

And here’s the interesting bit, the last bid sets the price for ALL the energy types in that half-hour slot. Whether it’s wind, water or coal, the prices for all power during a high-demand period are sold at a premium. Whereas the power sold during off-peak times is often much cheaper (and greener!) because the expensive, non-renewable generation sources aren’t as likely to be needed.

So by moving your power off-peak, you are more likely to be using renewable generation, and on a time-of-use plan, that power will cost you less!

What’s load shifting and how can I save money?

Load shifting simply means moving your electricity use to off-peak hours and it can lead to significant savings on a time-of-use plan. The amount of change you see on your bill will depend on how much you use your Hour of Power and cheaper off-peak times.

Peak Hours (7am – 9am and 5pm – 9pm) are the times when most people are using electricity – typically in the evening when everyone’s cooking, watching TV, or running appliances. Because of the high demand during these hours, the cost of energy is higher.

Off-Peak Hours (the rest of the time, and all weekend) are the quieter hours, like late at night, early in the morning before 7am when most people are sleeping or during the day. This includes the time after the rush hours too, when most people are already at work or in school. During off-peak hours, electricity demand is lower and it tends to be more affordable.

Here’s where load shifting comes in – once you get started, you will be surprised how easy it is. Simple things include running the dishwasher, dryer or washing machine off-peak. To start planning, you can check out a list of common appliances here and how much power they’re likely to use, and we’ve created a handy guide with tips that will help you become a load shifting superhero.

Electric Kiwi’s switch to time-of-use plans is a practical step for both our customers and the environment. The reality of New Zealand’s electricity market highlights the importance of finding innovative solutions, and as we transition to more renewable energy generation, load shifting will become even more vital. Renewables are cheaper and better for our planet, but they do not always run when we want them to. The sun shines during the day, and wind generation depends on weather conditions.

In the future real time shifting of load to match intermittent renewables will help us balance demand with supply in real time. This can be done via sophisticated industrial control, automation of EV charging, control of our hot water and more. The future is exciting, and we’re getting started now because reducing peak electricity use has the power to reduce electricity costs and help our planet. You can keep up to date with everything Electric Kiwi is doing in this space here.

We are all part of the solution, and you can help by saving as much money as possible by moving more power off-peak!

The post Why time-of-use plans are good for all Kiwis 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.

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.