Your new smart meter
Across Australia, old analogue electricity meters are being replaced with smart meters.
The new meters are digital and can be read remotely, providing accurate information on your electricity usage every 5 minutes. As they can be read remotely, once one is installed it won’t need to be manually read by a meter reader.
If you need a smart meter ahead of the national rollout schedule, you can request one. As your energy retailer, we’ll organise the installation for you.
If you’re getting a solar system and don't have a smart meter at your premises, one will need to be installed. You, or your solar installer, can request a smart meter by completing the application form. You must have a smart meter installed prior to turning on your solar system.
You may also need a new smart meter if you sign up to an electricity plan that requires one.
Getting your data from your meter
You can access your usage data through the My.ActewAGL online portal and mobile app to track your electricity use, see the days and times when you are using more electricity and find opportunities to save.
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Life support equipment
If you or a person in your household is reliant on life support equipment, please make the necessary arrangements for the duration of your smart meter installation.
It’s a requirement that someone is present when the contractors are on site to ensure the safety of the person on life support. Please note that work won’t proceed if there is no one on site. For more information to help you prepare, see our information on life support equipment.
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New meter installation
Here’s what you need to know about getting a new meter installed.
- We’ll let you know via letter when your new meter installation is scheduled.
- You don’t need to be home (unless you or someone in your household is reliant on life support equipment).
- The scheduled installation date may change in the event of unforeseen circumstances or weather. In this case, we’ll contact you to reschedule your installation. If additional work is required, we’ll notify you.
- The technician will notify you when they arrive and before interrupting your power supply. You may experience a power outage of one to three hours.
- After the installation, you’ll be informed that your new meter is installed, or if more work is needed, via a notice in your letterbox.
To prepare for your new meter installation, please:
- Provide clear access to the work site, preferably from the front of your premises along a driveway or grass passageway.
- Provide clear and safe access to the meter box and ensure all padlocks are removed.
- Provide access to your main switch. If this is inside, you will have to be home.
- Provide clear and safe access to your point of attachment (where the overhead powerlines are attached to your house) or point of entry (for underground power connections), which may be in your backyard. Please ensure any gates are unlocked or you may need to be home to provide access.
- Switch off sensitive appliances at the wall.
- Ensure any pets are secured and removed from the areas that the meter installer needs to work.
Important to note for ACT premises
The installation won’t be able to go ahead if you have aerial powerlines attached to an overhead connection point at your premises and there is an obstruction or damage at the point of attachment. If you notice the point of attachment, commonly known as a barge board, is old or needs repair, please call us on 1300 815 815. We’ll walk you through next steps and delay your electricity meter upgrade. For more information, visit evoenergy.com.au/safety/assets-on-your-property
How pricing works
Getting a smart meter doesn’t automatically change the way you are charged for electricity, but having a smart meter does mean you can choose from a wider range of electricity plans and pricing structures. You could move to another plan with a different pricing structure if it benefits you more.
You can access time-of-use plans, which offer cheaper rates for using electricity at off-peak times, such as overnight or in the middle of the day. The data from your smart meter can help you determine if you’d be better off – and we’re here to help. You might save money by using power when it costs less.
Find out more information about pricing. If you’d like to discuss your pricing structure options or change your plan, speak with a local ActewAGL Energy Consultant on 13 14 93.
Please note: Smart meters record electricity usage data according to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). During daylight saving, electricity distributors manage the data differently. Evoenergy does not adjust the tariff times to align with daylight saving – they remain at AEST. Customers in the ACT on a time-of-use tariff may want to consider aligning their electricity usage pattern to AEST during daylight saving. In NSW, Essential Energy and Endeavour Energy adjust tariff times to align with Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). You can check the times in the ACT or NSW standing offer pricing schedules.
