Is a PowerResponse event about to start?

If you’re planning to participate, here are some tips to help you reduce your electricity use and earn bill credits.

Australian summers and winters often bring extremely hot or cold days. On those days, our electricity use goes up markedly, putting a lot of pressure on energy providers who can only generate so much electricity at any one time.

What can we do to help?

To help, EnergyAustralia has developed a demand response program called PowerResponse. We pay our
electricity customers in bill credits to reduce their electricity use during nominated peak times.

Be rewarded for being part of the solution

By making small changes to your electricity use during a PowerResponse event, you’ll be rewarded - and your participation will help maintain a stable energy supply for everyone.

What prompts a PowerResponse event?

A PowerResponse event can be prompted by an unplanned occurrence like extreme weather. Or we may run a PowerResponse event at times when we anticipate peak demand – not necessarily due to extreme weather.

  Participation is completely voluntary and it’s up to you if you choose to be part of PowerResponse.

How does a PowerResponse event work?

Before an event

You (or a nominated contact) and other PowerResponse participants receive an email and/or SMS alert from us prior to an event, with the details you need to know. You’ll also get an SMS alert when the event starts.

During an event

If you choose to participate, you can take some easy steps to reduce your electricity use for the duration of the event which is usually between 1 and 4 hours. See examples below.

After an event

We’ll confirm by SMS when the event is over.

We’ll let you know how much energy you saved, and any credits you earned on your electricity bill in My Account, within a few days.

Credits will appear on your EnergyAustralia electricity account within 20 business days of a PowerResponse event that you participated in, and on your next bill after that date.

You can view your performance and rewards in My Account. Log in or register here.

What’s in it for you?

You receive:

  • $1 each time you choose to take part in a PowerResponse event and reduce usage by any amount.
  • $2 for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy you save during a PowerResponse event. The reward you earn is based on how much you reduce your electricity use, compared to your normal or ‘baseline’ usage, every half hour. Check how we calculate your baseline here.*
  • These credits will appear on your EnergyAustralia electricity account within 20 business days of a PowerResponse event that you participated in.

Importantly, these small actions will help maintain a stable energy supply for everyone.

*EnergyAustralia may change the calculation methodology for incentives from time to time, so check this website regularly for updates.

How can you reduce my electricity use?

Electricity consumption is measured and charged in terms of cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

For example, say a standard 21-inch LCD monitor uses 50 watts of electricity per hour. Over an eight-hour day it would consume 400 watts of electricity, or 0.4 kWh, which would be charged at your applicable cents per kWh rate.

Reducing the amount of electricity you use could be as easy as: 

- Turning your air-conditioning up a few degrees^ 

- Delaying putting the washing machine or dishwasher on^ 

Heating - v1

Air conditioners#

1kWh to 3kWh

Air conditioners and heaters can be big energy guzzlers. Turn off or adjust the thermostat to reduce the amount of electricity used - up to a $6 credit.

Assumes an average reverse cycle air conditioner on 2 hours use. Actual usage will depend on room size and age and capacity of the appliance. 

Washing machine

Washing machine†

Front loader: 0.7 kWh per cycle or top loader: 1kWh per cycle

Delay putting on a load of washing until after the PowerResponse event and you can save up to 1kWh – there’s another $2 credit right there.

The actual cost will vary with the type of machine, as well as its capacity, water usage and the chosen wash cycle. This calculation is based on a 7kg washing machine on a warm wash cycle.

Dishwasher

Dishwasher†

1-2kWh per cycle

Delaying using your dishwasher during a PowerResponse event could mean you reduce usage by around 1kWh - a $2 credit.

We have assumed an average 1kW a load. Actual cost will depend on the capacity and energy efficiency of the dishwasher and wash cycle chosen.

More information

Not interested in PowerResponse?

Participating in a PowerResponse event is completely voluntary but if you don’t want to hear about it or be involved at all, you can easily unsubscribe in My Account. You can resubscribe at any time.

More questions?

Chat with us online or give us a call on 133 466.

^If you would normally run these appliances at the time when the event occurs. These are examples only and actual energy reductions and bill credits will vary depending on the size, efficiency, conditions and the way in which you use your particular appliance.

†Source: https://www.energynetworks.com.au/resources/fact-sheets/1-of-electricity-factsheet/
#Source: https://www.canstarblue.com.au/appliances/how-much-electricity-does-aircon-use/