Frequently Asked Questions

How can you afford to be so cheap?

GloBird Energy doesn’t have a towering city office with overpaid executives. Instead, we use the latest technology and the power of cloud computing to run a leaner back office. We’d rather pass these savings onto our customers. Make sure you pay on time to take advantage of our best rates and to ensure you get the maximum pay-on-time discount attached to your plan.

How do I contact GloBird?

You can phone, email, or use our online chat service. Click below for a full list of ways to contact our locally-based customer service team.

Contact Us

Who are GloBird Energy?

GloBird Energy is a budget energy company offering Aussie power users more choice and better value. Read our full story here.

What are your hours of operation?

We’re open between 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday and Public Holiday 9am – 3pm (Eastern Standard Time).

Which plan is best for me?

If you have an existing bill handy use our simple online comparison tool to find the most cost-effective plan based on your actual energy use. Click on the button below to run the numbers.

Compare and Save

I’ve received a suspicious looking email claiming to be from GloBird – what should I do?

Scammers regularly send out fake energy bills trying to trick consumers and these fake bills can look very convincing. The scammers have targeted some of Australia’s largest energy companies, but not GloBird. Having said that it’s always good to be cautious. Our bills are always sent from customerservice@globirdenergy.com.au If you receive an email from a different email address claiming to be your GloBird bill, don’t open it or click any links as it could be a phishing scam. Click on the button below to learn more about these kinds of scams.

Phishing scams

Why have my rates changed?

We’re an energy retailer and we do all we can to keep our rates as competitive as possible. As a retailer we don’t generate or distribute power. Australian electricity distributors who own the wires and cables generally reset their network charges every January. As a retailer we have to pass on these charges to our customer. Network charges make up as much as 50% of your bill. The rest of your bill is made up of wholesale and other costs, which change from time to time. We’ll provide you with written notice before we make any changes to our rates.

Will you change my discount?

We guarantee to keep your discount for at least a year from when you join us. After that time we won’t change the price you pay for energy unless network or wholesale prices force us to. We promise to write to you and give you plenty of notice before changing your rates. For your peace of mind, we don’t have lock in contracts, so if for any reason you’re not satisfied with the price or service we deliver, you can switch to another retailer without penalty or fee.

How often do you change rates and prices?

Normally we review our rates around December January. We do everything we can to remain as competitive as possible and keep our rates low. We won’t just change the cost of energy unless network or wholesale prices force us to. For your peace of mind, we don’t have lock in contracts, so if for any reason you’re not satisfied with the price or service we deliver, you can switch to another retailer without any penalty or fee.

Australian electricity distributors (who own the wires and cables) get approval from the government to reset their base prices once every year (usually in January). We pass any price change on (as do all retailers) when this occurs. This annual price reset is governed by the Essential Services Commission. The wholesale market is set by the basic laws of supply and demand, as such retailers have no control over wholesale market fluctuations.

Why is there a peak and off-peak rate?

The demand for electricity changes throughout the day. There is usually higher demand for electricity during the day especially on hot days when people are using air conditioning. Busy peak times can put a strain on electricity networks. Off-peak electricity is charged at a lower price to encourage energy users to consume their electricity outside the busiest times, such as at night or on weekends. Click the button below to learn more about how the energy market works.

Tariff timetables

How long does my transfer take?

Once your sign up is complete, we take care of all the hard work for you. Having said that, a few things need to happen before your transfer to GloBird is complete.

A couple of days after you have signed up you will receive your Welcome Pack, which also starts your 10-business day cooling off period.

We will send you a Welcome Pack and organise a transfer read (taken by your local distributor or metering company). For smart meters, this usually happens soon (a few days to a week or so), and sometimes basic meters take longer (a few weeks to a month or so) while we wait to receive the next scheduled meter read. Either way, we will get things going as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Sometimes (especially for gas meters) the distributor takes up to 15 business days to send us the read. But you don’t need to worry – once we get the read data we will open your account and start it from the read date.

There is no need to close your account with your old retailer as that transfer read is also sent to them for a final invoice.

Isn’t it a hassle switching energy retailers?

You’d be surprised at just how quick and easy switching to GloBird is. You can sign up online in seconds.

How can I compare my current provider with GloBird?

Comparing your current provider with GloBird is simple. Give us a call or use our easy comparison tool. To use our comparison tool all you need to do is grab your current bill and provide the following information:

1. NMI or MIRN (this number identifies your meter).
2. The total amount of your bill after discount.
3. The number of days the bill is for (also known as the “usage period”).
4. How much energy you’ve used (total kWh for electricity or MJ for gas).

We’ll show you how much the same bill cost with us and how much you’ll save.

Compare your current provider with GloBird

What if I switch and then change my mind later?

At GloBird, you’re free as a bird. Free to enjoy our low-cost energy for as long or as little as you like. There are no lock-in contracts, no termination fees, just great value energy.

Will there be a disruption to my energy supply if I switch to globird?

Switching is easy and your energy supply won’t be disrupted. You’ll get the same electricity service supplied, through the same wires and poles, using the same meter. You can sign up online in seconds. If you’re moving home, let us know as soon as you can so we have time to get your new home connected.

What do I do if I’m moving to a new house?

If you’re moving to a new house, all you need to do is call us on 13 34 56 and we’ll arrange for the power to be switched on and ready at your new place. Alternatively, you can sign up online and select the day you want the power switched on. Please give us as much notice as possible so we can have the power on and ready for you.

Online sign up

Why do all mains power switches need to be in the OFF position for remote connection?

As your retailer, GloBird is not responsible for the supply of power to your property. This is the responsibility of your local distributor. As your retailer, we facilitate the connection process and request the supply of power to your property on your behalf. If you have a smart meter, we’ll ask the distributor to connect your premises remotely.

For safety reasons, your local distributor will monitor any remote connection. If an appliance is drawing power when they attempt to connect, they’ll immediately disconnect. This is a safety precaution, because there could be an appliance such as a heater or cooker left switched on, and if unattended, can potentially cause fire or damage to your property.

So it’s important that you follow our instructions carefully to ensure the safe and timely connection of power to your property. This includes ensuring that all power switches within the mains power board are in the OFF position prior to any remote connection.

If you’re having trouble locating your mains power board, it’s usually located near the front door or close to your power meter and contains all the circuit breakers for your property. In some apartment buildings it’s located in a common area.

What should I do if I get a “Dear Occupier” letter from GloBird Energy?

When you move into your new home, don’t forget to hook up an account for utilities like power, gas, and water. If you forget, you could get cut off. When GloBird have the billing rights to the meter, and when a person moves-in and starts consuming energy at the premises without establishing an account, like most retailers GloBird will usually disconnect supply.

But we don’t just do that without giving you the heads up. Before we arrange the disconnection, we always send a letter to the premises addressed to the occupier asking them to establish an account. This doesn’t mean you have to join GloBird, you can establish an account with whoever is your preferred retailer. If you get a dear occupier letter from GloBird, don’t stress, give us a call on 133456 and we will walk you through the options available to you.

What is the My Account Portal?

The My Account Portal is handy way for you to manage your GloBird Energy account online. Some of the features currently available are:

• Set up/Update Direct Debit details
• View your previous bills.
• Check your payment history.
• Pay your bills.
• See your energy usage.
• Download usage data.
• Get help and support.

Who can have access to the portal?

You need to have an active energy account with GloBird. Signing up as a new customer will not give you immediate access to My Account, we need to wait for the transfer process to fully complete. We will usually send you a notification when the transfer is complete. Then you can activate “My Account” access.

Why did we develop it?

We developed the My Account Portal to make it easier for you to keep track of your energy bills and update your energy accounts.

How to get started?

Accessing your account for the first time is easy. Go to this link and click “on the register” link. Globird My Account (globirdenergy.com.au) You will need to use the same email address that is on your energy account and enter your GloBird account number.

What if I get stuck or need help?

Don’t stress, if you have any issues, simply email us for help here cs@globirdenergy.com.au we are here to help

How do I choose a password?

When setting a password for your account – you must use a password that is at least eight characters long and must be a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. GloBird will never ask you to reveal your password.

How do I use My Account?

When you login to My Account you arrive at the Dashboard screen. The Dashboard presents you with a snapshot of your GloBird account, email communications from us, and a set of menus from which you can choose to make changes to your account details, view your usage, find an old bill, request support and more. New features will be added regularly.

The main sections on the Dashboard give you quick and easy access to all item screens, with just a couple of clicks.

Once you choose an item to manage from the Dashboard screen, you will arrive at that item’s detail screen. Item screens hold all relevant information regarding the chosen item on the one screen. Here you can make changes (if relevant) to that item. For example – choose ‘Direct Debit’ from the ‘My Details’ menu on the Dashboard screen. Then, on the Direct Debit item screen – you can setup a direct debit payment from a credit card. Easy! Also, while on the Direct Debit item screen – you have access via a dropdown menu to the other items in the ‘My Details’ menu, without needing to return to the dashboard.

Use the back button, or My Account icon at top of the screen to return to the Dashboard at any time.

Switching between accounts

If you have more than one GloBird account, you can switch between accounts using the Account dropdown menu towards the top of any screen. You only need one My Account login to be able to access all your GloBird accounts in the one place. If you are making changes to one of your accounts – ensure it is the account you intended before saving your change.

Exiting My Account

To exit My Account, click on the ‘Logout’ button at top right of screen. To protect your identity and privacy, you should always logout of a session if you are using a public computer, or device that is shared with others. Even at home – this is a good habit to get into.

How can I pay my bill?

You can pay your bill easily and conveniently using BPay, credit card (online or over the phone), direct debit, or in person at the post office or at any Commonwealth Bank. You can even send us a cheque. A full list of payment options are shown on your bill or click on the button below for more information about each payment method.

How to pay

Can I set up an automatic direct debit to pay my bill?

Yes, we can automatically debit your credit/debit card when your bill falls due. Setting up an automatic direct debit payment is a great way to make sure you never miss a bill and you get the maximum pay-on-time discount attached to your plan. GloBird will confirm your direct debit is working when you first set it up by deducting $0.01, and we will then apply a $0.01 refund once we know it’s working ok, or we will let you know if there are any issues.

How can I be sure you’ve calculated my bill correctly?

Energy retailers must be licensed and have to abide by strict regulations. All retailers must calculate your bill using data provided by a government regulated, independent metering company.

Watch this short video for more information.

Watch this short video for more information.

How often will I receive a bill?

In the majority of cases we issue bills monthly, however this is not always possible. More information about monthly gas billing is available on our website.

How can I reduce my energy bill?

There are a number of simple ways you can save energy and reduce your energy bill. Click on the button below for a list of simple energy saving tips.

Feel free to contact us so we can make sure you’re on the most cost-effective plan.

Lower my electricity bill

Lower my gas bill

What happens if I don’t receive my emailed bill?

Check your junk or spam folders to see if your bill has been filed incorrectly.

If you don’t see your email bill in your inbox it could also be due to the way your email provider categorises your email. Microsoft email providers like Hotmail, Live and Outlook split your email inbox into “focused” and “other” so be sure to check both tabs. Gmail tries to categorise your mails, so check the different categories under the “Categories” folder.

Once you’ve received an email from us it will help if you can add us to the safe senders list. This can be done by viewing the email and usually in the top corner there is an actions menu. Click on the menu and then select “Add to Safe Senders”

How can I learn more about the information on my bill?

Your bill contains detailed information about your GloBird account and energy usage. Click on the button below for help with understanding your bill.

Understand your bill

How do I know if I’m getting a concession?

Information about your concession amount is shown on the first page of your electricity bill under Electricity Charges Summary. For more information on concessions click the button below.

Concessions

How come my bill seems higher than usual?

There are many factors that can affect how much you pay for energy. If your bill seems higher than usual, here are some things to check:

Why are there two concession amounts on my bill?

Like many energy companies, your GloBird bill contains two charges. One is the total amount due, the other is the discounted amount due. The concession is applied as a percentage of your energy bill so GloBird will show you the concession amount for both the full and discounted amount. Concessions are calculated based on the remaining account balance once any other discounts and/or solar credits have been applied.

Here’s an example of how it works.

If your energy plan comes with a 30% pay-on-time discount, and your energy bill was $100 before the discount, then the discounted amount due would be $70. Now let’s imagine the concession is 17%. If you paid the bill after the due date, you would receive a concession of 17% on $100, which equals $17 off. In this case you would pay $83. However, if you pay the bill before the due date you would get 17% off $70, which equals $11.90 off. In this case, you would pay $58.10.

For more information on concessions click the button below.

Concessions

What if you estimate my bill incorrectly?

We take care to be as accurate as possible, but estimates are never perfect. More information on how we estimate your bill is available here

Why is a correction multiplier and heating value used to calculate gas bills?

Gas usage is charged in Megajoules (Mj). Mj is a unit of energy that is obtained from the burning of a volume of gas. However, a gas meter only measures the volume of gas (cubic meters), not the amount of energy (Megajoules). A formula is used to work out the Mj. The formula uses the volume of gas measured by your gas meter, the correction multiplier and heating value. All these values are provided to us by your local gas distributor, and we use them to calculate your gas energy consumption.

The correction multiplier relates to the pressure of gas. Pressure affects the specific heat capacity of a gas, the lower the pressure of gas, the higher the heating capacity.

The heating value depends on factors such as temperature and geographical location. The combustion of most substances including natural gas, needs oxygen to burn. Geographic location will impact the heating value of gas, it mainly relates to the atmospheric pressure and temperature in your area. For example, as you travel to higher altitudes the atmosphere contains less oxygen, so gas burns less efficiently. The higher the temperature of the gas, the lower the specific heat capacity. Therefore, the correction multiplier and heating value vary depending on where in the gas network your meter is located.

Do you bill for gas monthly?

Yes we do! To learn all about monthly gas billing, and how it allows for budget smoothing – click here

What is the reference price?

In the past, comparing energy plans has been difficult. Each energy provider had their own base energy rate and would discount off this rate. This meant that a 20% discount from one retailer did not necessarily match a 20% discount from another. So to make things easier for customers, the government established a “reference price” based on an average customer’s annual cost. The reference price is different depending on where you live because energy usage and distribution costs vary across the state. It’s important to note that your reference price is based on the energy usage of a typical customer in your area and therefore helps you compare energy plans. It’s not the actual cost you will pay, which depends on how much power you ultimately use.

Example:

• The reference price in your area is $1000, based on a typical customer who uses 4000 kWh per year.
• If a retailer advertises an energy plan that is 10% less than the reference price, that means the same typical customer using the same amount of power would pay $900 per year.
  • Your actual cost may not be the $900, as this will depend on how much power you ultimately use, but the reference price is handy for getting a quick basic comparison.

Click here to see illustrated example.

Do you use estimate or actual reads?

We prefer to bill you based on actual reads. If you have a smart meter, its highly likely we will issue your bills based on actual reads. If you have a basic meter, we may from time to time use estimate reads in order to bill you regularly. To understand more about estimate reads click here.

Can I provide my own meter read?

Yes, if you prefer to read your own meter, just snap a photo of the meter and upload it via GloBird’s online Portal My Account.

Please make sure to clearly capture both the meter read and the meter number. We will happily use your read to create your bill. Find out more here.

Why are my gas bills so much higher in winter?

Everyone knows it’s common to use more gas in the colder season, but what might surprise you is just how much the difference is. We looked at the total gas usage over all our customers in Victoria to see how much more gas is consumed in each calendar month. We denote this in the chart below with a scale of 0 – 100 to represent a percentage scale. The results surprised even us. The peak season for gas is between is usually June – September. It shows that an average household uses 10 times more gas in July than they typically do in December.

Tips: Your gas meter is very easy to read, so you can track your own usage by glancing at the dial anytime, you can see how much you are consuming without having to wait for the bill. If you’d like to know what your usage profile looks like historically (so long as we have the data), login to your GloBird My Account portal. You can do this from our homepage.

If your gas usage is higher than expected, click here to see some handy ways to reduce your usage.

Does GloBird monitor and report suspicious payments?

Yes, as a licensed entity GloBird has a legal obligation to report suspicious or unusual payment / account activity to relevant law enforcement agencies. This includes the use of stolen credit cards or unauthorised payments, and other suspicious transactions for example overpayments made from overseas, multiple payments from various sources, payment amounts not aligned with billing amounts, and so forth. Information about suspicious payments can be shared between law enforcement agencies.

How do GloBird handle refunds?

If your account is in credit because of a GloBird action, for example: account adjustment, catch up bill, previous overestimate, we can refund the credit to your nominated bank account or discuss other reasonable alternatives. However, if you have a credit on your account because of a customer action or overpayment, we will only refund back to the source of payment. For instance, if you overpay from a specific credit card, any applicable refund will be refunded back to that same credit card. Refund to the source is applicable for all payment methods including Centerpay, Alipay, WeChat Pay and other payment types.

Do you charge credit card fees?

No, we won’t charge you extra just for paying by credit card. That would be wrong.

What fees do you charge for reconnecting or disconnecting power?

A full list of fees and charges is available on our website.

Fees and charges

What fees do you charge to change tariff type?

In order for us to change your tariff type, we need to re-configure your meter. Click below to see a full list of our fees and charges including “meter reconfiguration”.

Fees and charges

Do you charge for paper bills?

If you have opted to receive paper bills by post, there is a fee of $2.50 inc GST per bill. This fee covers the cost of paper, print, postage and handling. We encourage our customers to receive billing electronically – as it’s faster, less costly, and reduces the use of paper. Click here to see a full list of all fees and charges.

How do I read my meter?

Click on the button below to read your meter in three easy steps.

Read your meter

What does a smart meter do?

A smart meter is a device that digitally measures when and how much electricity is used at your premises. It sends this information back to your energy retailer remotely, without your meter needing to be manually read by a meter reader.

Smart meters can also do other things remotely, like allow the electricity supply to be remotely switched on and off without the need for a field technician, measure the power quality at your premises and notify your electricity distributor when the power goes out.

What do the Index reads on your bill mean?

The index reads are the total of all accumulated energy that has passed through your meter. This is a data recording on your smart meter. The read includes the total registered consumption from each register since the day the meter was installed. It is important to understand that this read is indicative only. It shouldn’t be used to calculate your electricity charges. For example, if you have solar, there will be a register of: power consumed from the grid, power consumed from your solar, plus any surplus power sent back to the grid. By adding these figures together, you will arrive at a different figure than the power you are being charged for.

How to upgrade to a smart meter?

For a full rundown on upgrading to a Smart Meter – click here

Why are the retailer’s times for peak different to the local distributor times?

As a retailer we use Australian Eastern Standard Time for your tariff. This means peak, off peak, or shoulder times will be set to AEST not local time. So, depending on your state or territory the times listed on your local distributor’s website may be different especially during daylight savings times. Normally your meter will also display AEST and not local time.

Are GloBird’s Time-Of-Use energy plans based on Local Time or AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time)?

Time of use energy plans may differ to your local distributors time definitions. For example, the peak, off peak, or shoulder period may not mirror your distributors definitions. GloBird use Local Time for all our market offer plans. To see a list of when and how different rates apply such as Peak, Shoulder, Off-Peak, Controlled Load, or Demand Charges please visit www.globirdenergy.com.au/legal/flexible/.

Who do I call for faults, outages and emergencies?

There are many electricity and gas distributors across Australia. They own the wires and cables that transmit energy to your property. They are responsible for any faults and power outages that might occur. If you have a gas fault or power outage, it’s important to contact the distributor in charge of your area for a fast and safe response.

Contact your local distributor

Will my distributor change if I switch to another energy retailer?

No, energy retailers don’t own or operate the wires and cables that transmit energy to your property. The power that is supplied to you remains the same and is managed by an independent government regulated network company.

What should I do if I smell gas?

If you believe there may be a gas leak, or if you can smell gas – you should call the National Response centre immediately on (03) 9411 3138.

What are the hazards of gas?

What do I do if there’s a gas leak?

Are there Gas Safety Tips available?

What should I do before demolishing, renovation, or construction work?

What should I do if I rely on life support and there is a power outage?

Comprehensive details and advice relating to life support issues and equipment is available here.

Why does the GST appear to be more than 10% for solar customers?

GST is calculated before the solar rebate is subtracted. The front page of your bill contains a summary of total charges. The second page contains a more detailed breakdown. Most of the components that make up your bill are subject to GST, except for the solar feed-in portion.

For example: IF YOUR “ELECTRICITY USAGE” AND “DAILY SUPPLY CHARGE” COME TO $100, THEN THAT AMOUNT ATTRACTS A GST OF $10. THIS MAKES THE TOTAL PAYABLE $110 INCLUDING GST.
IF THE SOLAR GENERATION YOU PRODUCE COMES TO $60, THIS WILL REDUCE THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE TO PAY FROM $110 TO $50. IN THE SUMMARY OF TOTAL CHARGES, IT WILL SHOW A BILL OF $60 AND A GST CHARGE OF $10.

Why am I getting zero solar? Is something wrong?

If your solar system was working fine, and all of a sudden you start getting zero feed-in; the first thing to consider is a problem with the inverter. According to CHOICE Magazine, the inverter is the component most likely to fail first.

https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/energy-saving/solar/articles/solar-power-survey-results

https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/energy-saving/solar/buying-guides/solar-inverters

According to solaranalytics.com, inverter faults account for almost 50% of major solar system failures. Typically, when an inverter fails, the whole system shuts down and produces zero energy. There are many potential causes of inverter failure, and each needs a qualified solar electrician to diagnose and fix the issue. If you do have a fault, always check your warranty.

https://www.solaranalytics.com/au/blog/are-my-solar-panels-working-properly

Are there fees when I install solar?

Yes. When you install a solar we will need to have your Smart Meter Reconfigured to read the solar feed-in. If you have a basic meter, then the meter will need to be upgraded. We will advise you of any applicable fees and charges prior to the work being undertaken. Before we can raise the Service Order to re-configure or replace your meter, your electrician or solar company will need to provide us the relevant paperwork to submit to your local distributor. See our fees page here.

Do my rates change when I install solar?

If your current tariff is a solar compatible tariff you won’t need to change tariffs, however if your existing tariff is not solar compatible, you will be able to choose from any open solar compatible tariff available from your local distributor. We will provide you the rates for any open tariff so you can choose the one that suites you best. Contact us before you decide to install solar so we can provide some advice.

Aren’t all energy retailers basically the same?

There are many energy retailers out there, each with different rates and charges. The deregulation of the energy market means increased competition, and that’s a good thing for those who take the time to shop around. It’s common for people to be paying far more for their energy by choosing the wrong retailer. You have the power! You can choose the energy provider that suits you best.

What’s the difference between an energy retailer and an energy distributor?

The distributor (or network provider) owns the electricity poles and wires and is responsible for transmitting power from the generator to your property. An energy retailer sells electricity to you and manages your electricity bills. You can choose your retailer but you cannot change your distributor.

What is a ‘controlled load’?

A ‘controlled load’, sometimes called a ‘dedicated load’, usually refers to a separate tariff for a dedicated system like an electric hot water system. You can tell if you have a controlled load tariff by checking your current bill.

What’s the difference between a standing offer and a market offer?

All retailers are required to have a standing offer available, however 99.9% of all GloBird customers are on a market offer. A standing offer is a default contract with energy prices set by the energy retailer, and are usually much higher than more competitive market offers that also offer discounted rates. The energy market was deregulated in 2001, and since then customers have been able to choose their preferred energy retailer. Even so, many customers did not switch, and remained with their original retailer, instead of seeking more competitive rates. If you’ve never actively switched providers or changed contract, its highly likely you’re on a standing offer. Give us a call on 13 34 56 and we’ll compare your bill to see how much we can save you.

Why do I have to turn the mains power OFF for remote connection?

As your retailer, we facilitate the connection process and request the supply of power to your property on your behalf. If you have a smart meter, we’ll ask the metering company to connect your premises remotely.

For safety reasons, they will monitor any remote connection. If an appliance is drawing power when they attempt to connect, they’ll immediately disconnect. This is a safety precaution, because there could be an appliance such as a heater or cooker left switched on, and if unattended, can potentially cause an issue.

So, it’s important that you follow our instructions carefully to ensure the safe and timely connection of power to your property. If you’re having trouble locating your mains power board, it’s usually located near the front door or close to your power meter and contains all the circuit breakers for your property. In some apartment buildings it’s located in a common area.

Can my power be turned ON remotely?

If you have a smart meter, you can ask for the meter to be re-connected remotely. Most modern smart meters can be turned ON and OFF remotely. Before a remotely turning ON your meter you will need to confirm some important safety concerns.

1. Your meter box is in the OFF position.
2. There are no exposed wires or incorrectly installed appliances
3. There was no recent electrical works done at the property.
4. The premises was without power for a long time.

Can my power be turned OFF remotely?

If you have a smart meter, you can ask for the meter to be disconnected remotely. Most modern smart meters can be turned ON and OFF remotely. Before remotely turning OFF your meter you will need to confirm some important safety concerns:

1. Nobody in the premise depends on life support equipment
2. Nobody will be harmed by turning off the power
3. There is no equipment that is sensitive to power failure
4. There will be not impact to an alarm, exit device, electric door, or sensor any stored goods

Where can I find the main switch or meter?

Electricity – Usually, electricity meters are found externally, fixed to a wall. If there is no meter on your external walls – it may be inside – close by the front door in the hall, in the laundry, or maybe even in your garage. Some apartment buildings have a common area that houses all meters. Ask your building manager.

Gas – Most gas meters are located in the front garden facing the road. Check around your driveway and mailbox.

Why was my property manually connected/disconnected and not remotely?

This can occur for many reasons. Firstly, you need to have a smart meter for us to request a remote service. In some cases, the previous tenant may have manually removed the fuse. If so, we need to send a technician to install a new fuse. This may also occur if the meter was damaged or there is a fault when trying to communicate with the device.

Can I refuse a remote connection / disconnection?

Remote connections are convenient because you don’t need a technician to visit the site. If you prefer a manual connection, you need to ensure there is clear access to the meter the day works have been scheduled at your property. Sending a technician may cost more. See our fees page for details.

When will the connection / disconnection occur?

Re-Connections can take a couple of days, please give us as much notice as possible so we can get the power on for you. When we schedule a remote connection, the service can occur at any time during the day, so if you need power at any time that day, please consider scheduling the re-connection one day earlier. We will usually send you an SMS and email informing you if the connection was successful or if there was an issue.

Similarly, remote disconnections may need a few days’ notice. The disconnection can occur at any time during the day, so if you need power for cleaning or moving, please consider scheduling the re-connection one day later so you still have power on the day.

How can I read my own meter?

There are a number of different meter types. Learn about the most common types here.