Economy tariffs
You can save money on a range of appliances by connecting them to an economy tariff.
Appliances like hot water systems, pool pumps, air conditioners and electric vehicle chargers that don’t require a constant supply of power can be connected to an economy tariff. There are two economy tariff options in Queensland:
- An economy tariff that provides a minimum of 8 hours electricity supply per day, and
- An economy tariff that provides a minimum of 18 hours electricity supply per day.
Supply is typically available outside peak times at a discounted rate. The times that power supply is available will vary by location in Queensland and which of the two economy tariffs you choose.
Please note:
From time to time, we alter the times to better suit network needs. As we move from summer to autumn, the scheduled timing for economy tariffs has moved from managing evening peaks towards solar soaking of rooftop generation.
As a result, the electricity supply to the secondary tariff appliances will typically be interrupted during the morning peak usage period and then resumed during the middle of the day.
If you have installed a timer for your appliance, there may be a need to update its settings to avoid morning and evening peak usage periods.
What economy tariffs are available?
There are two economy tariffs available:
| Tariff | Available |
|---|---|
| Volume Controlled Night Depending on your electricity retailer, this tariff may be referred by various names, including Super Economy, Night Rate, Tariff 31, Control Load 1 (CL1). | 8+ hours (around 10pm - 7am) * |
| Volume Controlled Depending on your electricity retailer, this tariff may be referred by various names, including Economy, Night Rate, Tariff 33, Control Load 2 (CL2). | 18+ hours (usually outside 4pm - 9pm) |
*Availability times may alter depending on the current needs of the electricity network.
Connecting to an economy tariff is easy
Contact a licensed electrician and ask them to connect your appliance to an economy tariff.
With the exception of pool pumps, appliances connected to controlled load economy tariff, hot water systems and other household appliances will need to be wired and connected through a dedicated circuit back to your meter. This is because power may only be available to these appliances at certain times of the day in return for being charged a cheaper rate for electricity. You can place several appliances on this dedicated circuit.
A dedicated residential electric vehicle (EV) charger load can add significantly to your existing household energy usage. Consider single-phase and three-phase wiring options for dedicated EV chargers, refer to your electrical contractor for more information.
A separate meter may need to be installed. Your consumption under the economy tariff will be listed separately on your bill so you can see how much energy your appliances use on that tariff. Appliances connected to an economy tariff can help reduce your overall electricity bill as consumption and demand on the economy tariff doesn't count toward charges on your main (primary) tariff.
You will be charged for the electrician's time and materials to connect your appliance to an economy tariff. Your electricity retailer will be able to advise on any metering or other costs associated with moving to an economy tariff.
How do I know if I am already connected to an economy tariff?
The easiest way to work out whether you are already connected to an economy tariff is to check your power bill.
If you have electricity charges listed separately to your main primary or daytime tariff, for example Economy Tariff 33 or Super Economy Tariff 31 on your electricity bill, you already have an economy tariff connected. Keep in mind that your retailer may refer to these tariffs by another name. If it's not clear on your bill, ask your electricity retailer.
An electrician can assess whether you have any appliances connected to an economy tariff. They can also arrange connection if you wish. There may be fees charged for the electrician's time and for visiting your home.
What if I no longer want my appliance connected to an economy tariff?
If you have appliances connected to an economy tariff and are finding that having supply interruptions is not suitable, you will need an electrician to move the equipment off that tariff onto a permanent supply tariff. If this equipment is the only appliance on the economy tariff, your electrician should also submit an Electrical Work Request to us so that the load control hardware in your meter box is removed.
Can I connect my air conditioner to an economy tariff?
Yes, you can. But please be mindful that while we will always try to switch appliances that customers are unlikely to notice first, like hot water systems and pool pumps, on some occasions where there is high demand on the network (usually in summer), we may need to also temporarily interrupt power supply to air conditioners connected to economy tariffs.
In most cases, these power interruptions will only be for a couple of hours and only when required to manage network demand.
Before connecting an air conditioner to an economy tariff, make sure you have considered how you will manage if the power to that air conditioner is turned off from time to time. You may want to think about:
- Not having every air conditioner in the home connected to an economy tariff
- Having ceiling and/or pedestal fans in the rooms where your air conditioner is connected to an economy tariff
- Cooling the room before the peak demand period, when the supply to the air conditioner is more likely to be interrupted (this varies by location and the amount of demand on the local electricity network but typically occurs sometime between 5pm and 8pm).
If you rely heavily on air conditioning, connecting an air conditioner to an economy tariff may not be suitable for you.
How much will I save moving to an economy tariff?
The savings will depend on the difference in cost per kWh for your standard tariff compared to the cost per kWh for the economy tariff, and how much you use the electrical appliance(s) you're considering moving to an economy tariff.
If you have been moved to a demand or time-of-use based tariff, an economy tariff may provide greater savings, as consumption (kWh) and demand (kW) on the economy tariff (in most cases) doesn't count toward charges on your main (primary) tariff.
Please confirm economy and primary tariff charging arrangements with your electricity retailer.
How do economy tariffs relate to demand or time-of-use tariffs?
If you have moved to a demand based or time-of-use tariff, or may be required to in future, moving equipment to an economy tariff can help reduce your bills.
The reason for this is that electricity used by equipment on an economy tariff, in most cases, does not contribute to demand charges on your demand tariff, even when your appliances on the economy tariff are using power during the peak demand charging window (for example 4pm - 9pm). Please confirm with your electricity retailer how they apply economy and primary tariff charges.