If you have chosen to participate in the Cost Reflective Tariff (CRT) trial package or have automatically moved to CRT because you've had a solar power PV system installed, you now have a new digital ‘Smart Meter’ installed in your home. The Smart Meter measures not only how much electricity you use, but what time of the day you use it. Under the CRT package, electricity consumed between 9am to 6pm weekdays is charged at the peak rate of 28.63 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Electricity consumed after 6pm and before 9am weekdays and all weekend is charged at the off peak rate of only 16.12 cents per kWh (previously you were charged the standard flat rate tariff of 19.23 cents per kWh).
How to take advantage of cheaper power costs under CRT
By taking advantage of cheaper off peak power available under CRT you can reduce the cost of your energy bill. Where possible, try to use appliances, such as computers, washing machines, and pool pumps during off peak times. Also be mindful of when you use the air conditioner. Try to avoid using too much electricity during the peak periods; turn appliances off stand-by, turn off unused fridges, don't leave lights on during the day, etc. If you can ensure that three-quarters of the total energy you use is during the off-peak period, the CRT will reduce the cost of your energy bill.
What happens if CRT costs you more than had you remained on the standard tariff?
Depending on your usage, you may end up paying more for the electricity you use, than if you had remained on the standard tariff. In this case you can claim the No Worse off Safety Net.
How to work out if you have been worse off under CRT
You will need the information on the back of your power bill to work out if you can claim the “No Worse off Safety Net”. Refer to the
“How to Read My Power Bill” Fact sheet to locate the information required.
To work out if you can claim the No Worse Off safety net, you can use the
online calculator or
click here to print a copy of the these instructions and use the table.
If you have any difficulty with these instructions or the on-line calculator, feel free to contact the
Smart Living Centre - we will be happy to do the calculations for you.
If your billing period covers the transition from one financial year to the next you will need to repeat this procedure for each billing period (i.e. the period before, and after the tariff rate changed).
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Peak and off peak consumption and Cost
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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Consumption
Off peak
(kWh)
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Cost of
off peak
Consumption
$
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Consumption peak
(kWh)
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Cost of peak
Consumption
$
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Total consumption Charge Amount
$
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Total Consumption
(kWh)
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Calculating the no worse off safety net
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G
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H
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I
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Flat Tariff Rate
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Flat Tariff
Consumption Charge Amount
$
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Amount of Safety Net to be claimed
$
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- In column A put in the off peak consumption in kWh
- In column B put in the cost of off peak consumption
- In column C put in the peak consumption in kWh
- In column D put in the cost of peak consumption
- Add the amounts in column B and column D and put this figure in column E – this is the total cost of your consumption.
- Add the amount in column A to the amount in column C and put this figures in column F - this is your total consumption in kWh.
- In column G put in the flat tariff rate – (for 2010/11 it is $0.1923 / kWh for 2009/10 it is $0.1831 / kWh)
- Multiply column F by the rate in column G and put this figures in column H– this will give you how much your consumption would have cost you under the standard flat tariff.
If the figure in Column E (the cost of your consumption under CRT) is larger than the figure in Column H (how much it would have cost under the standard tariff), being on CRT has cost you more and you are able to claim the No Worse off Safety Net. Deduct the amount in Column H from the amount in Column E to calculate the amount of No Worse off Safety Net claim.
If the figure in Column E(the cost of your consumption under CRT) is less than the figure in Column H (how much it would have cost under the standard tariff), congratulations you have saved money by being on the Cost Reflective tariffs.
Please note that the fixed daily supply charge is the same regardless of which tariff system you are under and is not included when calculating the “No Worse Off Safety Net”. If you have had Solar PV installed you will also have two additional lines for the Solar Export. For the purposes of claiming the No Worse off Safety Net you should ignore the solar export lines.
How much can you claim?
If being on CRT has cost you more than being on the standard flat tariff you can claim the amount of the difference between the two and this will bring the cost of your consumption down to what it would have been under the standard tariffs. That way, your participation in the CRT trial does not cost you anything overall.
If you would like advice on ways to cut your power bills and take advantage of the trial CRT, call the Smart Living Centre on 8950 4350.
How to make a claim
To claim you no worse off safety net – bring your bill into Alice Solar City and we will organise a credit on your next power bill for the difference. If you can't make it in, email, (
info@alicesolarcity.com.au), fax (0889504359) or post (PO Box 8561) both sides of your bill in with an accompanying note.
Ensure that you provide us with a copy of both sides of your bill.
After we have assessed your bill for eligibility for a No Worse off Safety Net claim, we will advise you of the amount you are eligible for. Alice Solar City will then arrange for a credit to be paid against your next Power and Water electricity bill. This will appear on your bill as an amount already paid, identified as a 10:10/20:20 Payment in the Payments Received section on the back of your bill.
Claiming the 10:10/20:20 Rebate
