Electricity Bills Explained: Flat Rates & Demand Charges AUSTRALIA

The information included in this video is for Queensland, Australia residents. Electricity bills will vary state to state, so please keep this in mind when completing your research.

This video forms part two of our QLD Bill Hunter series, where we are on the lookout for the worst electricity bill in QLD. Think you might have the worst bill? Submit it to us (link below) and we will review, provide an analysis, and offer recommendations for how you can save money.

This series will explore five different types of electricity bills and tariffs:
2. Flat rates with demand charges

Flat rates, off-peak charges, and demand charges are some of the most common electricity bill tariffs you will in residential households. We share two examples in the above video, the first being a flat rate bill with off-peak and demand charges, and the second example being a flat rate bill with demand charges only. Both of these bills belong to two of our real-life QLD customers who later had us install solar energy systems at their properties.

Prefer to read rather than watch? We break down these bills in our blog. Link below.

We help Queenslanders understand their electricity bills and identify how significant savings can be made. We install residential, commercial, and off-grid solar energy systems in Brisbane and its surrounding areas. If you would like your bill to be analysed or you’re considering solar, contact us today to consult with one of our experts - we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. Link below.
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[joshuanicholson]

I automatically switched to a demand plan (post-smart meter install) and got my first bill after the switch, and it has skyrocketed. Demand was 107 of the total 164kw. My actual usage between 5 pm and 9 pm is minimal, not remotely close to 65% of my total usage.

Thanks for your explanation. It seems that one day of high demand in that period has impacted all 28 days of the bill! So I am charged for a theoretical use, not an actual one.

Note no solar, no gas, no battery. Just electricity for everything. Looks I have a plan switch coming.

[MyGoogleYoutube]

What I don't understand is how is the peak demand measured? It is over a time period? So, say a 15kw startup surge from a large AC unit won't cause a 15kw demand charge?

I am really struggling to understand the 60 minute average for the demand charge for the month :/

[ShaneHowley-ni]

What is energy comparison, and why is it important for Australian consumers?

[Earthau]

A couple of questions for you Eddie.

We are now being hit with demand charges and it is supposedly the highest average 15mins usage between 4pm & 9pm for the month, what does this actually mean? ie. If I turn the air-conditioner off between 4:01pm - 4:14pm and the house hold usage is 0 after this (all month) because our battery is covering household usage will I be charged a fee for demand or do they average it over that 15 mins?

Also we are being charged a daily metering fee and we get billed monthly but the demand charge is only billed to us on every second bill, so no demand one month but then last months and current months on the next bill, is this normal?

Finally and this may be something you can answer in one of your up coming vid's, can we program our Tesla Powerwall to be fully charged at 4pm even if it has to charge from the grid and then at 4pm the house switches to being powered by the battery? Currently we have to do this via the Tesla app and some times we miss it or we can't connect to the app if the weather is bad or internet is down.

And 1 extra question, that I just thought of, we have Solar hot water and it is backed up by mains if there has not been enough sun on the roof during the day, this seems to kick in just after 4pm some days especially during Winter and can add to the demand usage if we don't catch it and it runs the battery dry before 9pm, can we install something that limits the hot water system to not draw power from the grid between 4pm & 9pm and if it has to it can automatically charge after 9pm?

Enjoying the series, you are doing a great job as always!