Midday Power Saver

The Midday Power Saver is intended for households that are able to use a significant amount of their electricity during a set daytime period.

As part of a Victorian Government initiative, the Midday Power Saver includes a daily free electricity usage period of up to three hours. It encourages electricity use during the middle of the day when electricity demand is typically lower.

Is the Midday Power Saver right for your household?

The Midday Power Saver can help some households lower their electricity costs, but it won't suit everyone.

To get the most value from the offer, you'll generally need to be able to use a meaningful amount of your electricity during the designated free usage period. The more electricity you can shift into this window, the more benefit you may receive from the offer.

You may benefit from the offer if:

✔You regularly spend time at home during the day.
✔You work from home.
✔You're retired.
✔You're a shift worker.
✔You can run some appliances during the free electricity period.
✔You charge an electric vehicle during the day.
✔You're comfortable adjusting when you use electricity.

You might not get as much value from the offer if:

✖Most of your electricity use happens in the morning or evening.
✖Nobody is typically home during the day.
✖You're unable to regularly run appliances during the free electricity period.

How to get the most value

To get the most value from the offer, try shifting some key household tasks to the middle of the day. These might include:

✔Running the dishwasher
✔Doing the washing
✔Using the clothes dryer
✔Charging an electric vehicle
✔Running pool pumps or other scheduled appliances

Using timer functions to schedule appliances is one of the best ways to make the most of the plan. Households that continue to use most of their electricity outside the free electricity period may see less benefit from the Midday Power Saver and may be better suited to a different energy plan.

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Top tip: If you're not sure when your household uses most of its electricity, it may be worth reviewing your usage patterns in the Alinta Energy app before switching to the Midday Power Saver.

How does the Midday Power Saver work?

The Midday Power Saver includes a daily period of free electricity during the middle of the day. 

A free electricity usage window applies each day between 11am and 2pm. During this time, eligible customers can use electricity without usage charges applying, up to the applicable daily usage cap.

Note: A 24 kWh daily usage cap applies during the free electricity period. Usage charges may apply if electricity use exceeds the daily cap during the free period.

To sign up to the Midday Power Saver, you'll need to be on a time-of-use tariff. This means your electricity usage is charged at different rates depending on the time of the day. If you're not already on one, we can help you switch first then sign up.

The time-of-use tariff periods are:

  • Off-peak: 9pm to 11am
  • Free usage: 11am to 2pm
  • Solar soak: 2pm to 4pm
  • Peak: 4pm to 9pm

Outside the free electricity window, usage charges apply according to these tariffs periods. This means the offer is generally best suited to households that can use some of their electricity between 11am and 2pm.

Rates and charges outside the free usage period vary depending on your tariff and network area.

Eligibility

The Midday Power Saver is available to eligible residential customers in Victoria with a compatible smart meter. Customers can choose to opt in or opt out of the Midday Power Saver and no exit fees apply.

To check your eligibilty or to request the Midday Power Saver, call us on 13 37 02.

Important information

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FAQs

Your electricity usage will be charged according to the applicable time of use tariff periods. This includes off-peak, solar soak and peak periods. That's why the Midday Power Saver is generally best suited to households that can shift some of their electricity use into the free usage period between 11am and 2pm.

No. The Midday Power Saver includes a daily usage cap of 24 kWh during the free electricity period. Usage charges may apply if electricity use exceeds this limit during the free period.

The offer is generally best suited to households that can regularly move a meaningful portion of their electricity use into the free usage period. This may include people who work from home, retirees, shift workers, or households that can schedule appliance use during the day.

Reviewing your electricity usage in MyAccount or the Alinta Energy app can help you understand how much electricity you're using during the free usage period and whether the offer suits your household's usage patterns.

Yes. Customers can choose to opt out of the Midday Power Saver at any time and no exit fees apply.

Yes. However, running several high-power appliances at the same time may overload your home's electrical supply and result in a power outage. To help avoid this, consider staggering appliance use throughout the free electricity period.

If your household electricity needs have increased significantly, a qualified electrician can advise whether your electrical installation remains suitable.

If you experience a power outage, please contact your electricity distributor using the details listed under 'Faults and emergencies' at the top of your bill.

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