Smart meter FAQs
About smart meters
What is a smart meter?
Smart meters differ from basic meters in a couple of ways. For starters, they measure your consumption with greater accuracy. But more importantly, smart meters track your consumption every 30 minutes and are read remotely without your distributor having to come out to your property to take a manual reading, except in circumstances where an error occurs with the equipment, but this is rare.
What are the benefits of a smart meter?
Apart from the increased accuracy and the ability to be remotely read, if you’re a Powershop customer, a smart meter allows you to get even more out of our usage tools through the Powershop App and Online Account.
As info about your usage will be continuously measured, it means you’ll have access to almost live info about the electricity you’re using. That means you’ll be able to better manage your usage and make every day decisions to use less and save money.
Most of our customers already have access to a lot of great features in the App and Online Account, but some have to manually enter their own meter reads to get a better picture of their usage between distributor reads. With a smart meter, you won’t have to do this anymore.
Can all properties be fitted with a smart meter?
In some cases, it may not be suitable to install a smart meter at your property. This could be due to poor wiring, the current metering arrangement, the presence of asbestos or hazardous materials, evidence of meter tampering (which we’re required to report to regulators), or insufficient mobile reception at the meter. If this is the case, we’ll contact you and make sure you understand our concerns.
Can I still read my own meter if I want to?
Of course! After installation, we’ll send you information on how to read your new smart meter and how to get the most out of it (spoiler alert: it’s really easy with the Powershop app).
Can I change back to my old meter if I don't like the smart meter?
Unfortunately not. Once the smart meter has been installed, it cannot be changed back to your old 'basic' or analogue meter.
What happens to my old meter?
Your old meter will be taken away by the installer and disposed of lawfully.
Will the smart meter interfere with other devices at my property?
Nope. Smart meters operate on a frequency that will not interfere with other equipment in the house.
Installation
Who will contact me to arrange an installation appointment?
Powershop will pass your details on to a qualified installer who will contact you and nominate an appointment time for your smart meter installation.
What if my installation appointment needs to change?
If you need to change your appointment, it’s best you liaise directly with your installer. If you’re not getting a response please give us a call on 1800 462 668 or email us at smartmeter@powershop.com.au and we’ll be happy to help.
How long will the smart meter installation take?
Installations usually take about 1 hour.
How long will the power be turned off for?
We’re expecting your power will need to be switched off for 30 to 60 minutes.
Does the installer need to produce identification before entering my property?
Yes. The installer must have a photo ID clearly displayed on arrival at your property.
Will the installer keep me informed of the installation’s progress?
Yes, you will receive notification when the installer arrives at your property and again when the installation is complete.
Do I need to be home during the installation?
No, as long as the installer has access to the meter board then they can complete the installation without you being present at the property. But if you’d like to be home during the installation, that’s fine too. Just let the installer know when they get in touch to confirm the appointment. When thinking about whether you need to be home or not, consider security alarm systems and other appliances that may be affected by the power outage.
My Bill
Can I change my tariff once the smart meter is installed?
You sure can. Contact Powershop to discuss options.
Will someone still come and read my meter every three months?
Nope. That’s the great thing about smart meters. They’re read remotely so no more house visits to get a manual meter reading.
Will my bills change?
No. Having a smart meter doesn’t change the way we bill you and your bills will look the same.
Privacy
Who will have access to my electricity data?
As usual, your energy distributor, your metering provider and your retailer (us) will have access to this data, which by law must be kept private.
What will this cost me?
Powershop has worked hard to find a way to roll out smart meters at no cost to the customer. However in the event there are any costs associated with the smart meter install, Powershop will contact you prior to any work and seek your agreement to the costs. No surprises!
Your information
Why am I being asked for a NMI?
NMI stands for National Meter Identifier. It’s an 11 digit number that is unique to your property and you can find it on your electricity bill. Please make sure this is correct when registering for a smart meter.
Will my NMI change when my smart meter is installed?
No, your NMI will remain the same.
What if I'm renting?
Technically it's okay for a tenant to arrange for installation of a smart meter. However, seeing as it’s not your place, we’d encourage you to check before registering your interest. This is also important if there is faulty wiring or any other issue at the property.
What if I have solar power?
Great! Customers with solar power can still get a smart meter. You’ll just need to make sure you let us know if your feed is Net or Gross. Net meter means a bi-directional meter that measures two-way electricity flows and records them at least half hourly. Gross meter means a meter that measures the total amount of electricity generated by a renewable energy generator.
Your options
What if I don’t want one?
No worries. It’s entirely up to you to decide whether you get a smart meter installed or not.
What if I want to know more?
You can call us on 1800 462 668 Monday-Friday 8am-7pm or email us at smartmeter@powershop.com.au
How do I get a smart meter?
Use the form above if you’d like more info on getting a smart meter at your property. We’ll get in touch to chat shortly.
