![[VIC] Free PowerPal Power Meter (Usually $129) (Melbourne CBD + 20km Radius)](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/88/549388.jpg?h=4c330081)
This deal has been on before but was stopped due to COVID-19. I’ve got one and they’re a great device.
02-Nov-2020 Deal re-activated with easing of coronavirus restrictions
[VIC] Free PowerPal Power Meter (Usually $129) (Melbourne CBD + 20km Radius)
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chrisburnett on 03/07/2020 - 08:08 powerpal.net (22406 clicks)
Last edited 02/11/2020 - 10:27 by 3 other users
Last edited 02/11/2020 - 10:27 by 3 other users
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Hey OP - any chance you could add 3752 South Morang to the list? Mill Park 3082 is the suburb next door and qualifies.
Thanks OP, I've registered!
Do you have to sign over your green energy credits to get this?
Hi rep, any love with a coupon code for us non-vic customers to be able to buy one a little cheaper?
Thanks Op! Got one.
This is just another way the government is going to spy on us and control us all.
/Sent from my iPhone via Facebook
You can sign up to your wholesaler and get free access to this information. If you want it on your mobile, just view the website on your mobile.
This is the website for United Energy (if that is your wholesaler):https://energyeasy.ue.com.au/login/indexWhilst you can get energy usage on the retailers or even wholesalers website it usually is not live.
Mine is up to a day behind.
It is not free because you all Victorians have been paying for it through higher electricity prices since 2009 when the scheme started. This comes under VEET scheme under Activity 30 along with other activities (LED down lights, CFL, LED bulbs, shower heads etc.)
Energy retailers gotta 'surrender' millions of VEECs p.a. ($31.20 each at today's market price) to operate/acquire customers in VIC and the only way they can do it is to charge consumers more. NSW has a similar scheme called ESS and energy retailers even included on their bills called 'ESS charges'. In a way this scheme is brilliant because it encourages investments in energy efficiency space (LEDs, shower head etc.) but if you take this scheme out, you'll probably pay much less for electricity.
About this device, a.k.a In-home Display or IHD, it doesn't do you anything good really. OK you'll know what is using how much electricity but what you're gonna do about it? Majority energy used for heating/cooling and to save electricity you already know what to do. On another note, installation of 1 x PowerPal will create 2 x VEECs ($62.40 at today's market price). VEET scheme is back after the lockdown but still not available in the 10 postcodes.
More information here if you're keen to know:
https://www.veu-registry.vic.gov.au/Public/Calculator/VEECCa…Correct, however you generate more Veecs for regional and properties without natural gas 😉
20km from Melbourne won't be 'regional' pal.
Great signed up today and got an appointment for the 7th already. Only problem is no matter how many times I modify it, it keeps dropping the unit number off my address. Hope the installer figures out to go to the first unit on the day…
Signed up today too and appointment for the 7th
If you have a dual occupancy house where the smart meter box located on the common driveway, you might want to give this a pass as the bluetooth long range might only reach you bits and pieces.
The good thing about it is, the device runs on its battery and record your data up to 30 days, thus you can try to connect to your phone to retrieve sync the power usage.
Also for people who afraid their power usage being monitored by this company (yes, the community with tin foil hat hehe), just disconnect your bluetooth and connect to it occassionally, thus they won't know whether you are at home at that time or not.
I believe it does not require active internet (just tested this with android, and the sync runs fine with flight mode & bluetooth on)
The android app is mature, quite fun looking how it sync the data and show your power usage
It has the capability to set your own kw pricing, but I never confirm how accurate it is if compared with your electricity bill, I use it to see which appliances uses the most power.
The installation experience was good too, the guy came and install it for you and asked you to install the app and helped you to connect to it too. He then took the photo of the installation to provide evident to his office/government, perhaps to claim reimbursement, etc
The company is responsive too if you have any techinal issues.
Overall a legitimate company that helps you to change your lifestyle behaviour by showing your power usage.
The only downside I can think of, the device is dependent on your smartphone to see the power usage, if I could choose again, I would choose the traditional in-home display power unit, so that it is more "in your face" display that the whole family can see
My 2 cents as one happy customer
Could sync it to a tablet inside or something and create your own display.
I think its kinda a non issue, you will walk past your meter box every other day anyway
Yea, been thinking to extend or mirror my phone to a bigger tablet or something similar but at the end cannot be bothered (plus the need to have 2 devices running just to watch the power usage rather defeats the purpose of power savings).
At the end, I just sync it every other week by standing at the front of the house.
Thanks OP signed up. Now need to wait for sm installer. 3 to 4 weeks.
How do I update for a new plan?
Looks like we have lots of people interested in their power usage, I come across these article before on how much $1 electricity and $1 gas can get you.
Have a look, hope you find it interesting.
For example, $1 gas can cook you 160 sausages on BBQ… and $1 electricity can toast you 160 slices of bread!!https://www.energynetworks.com.au/resources/fact-sheets/1-of…
https://www.energynetworks.com.au/assets/uploads/061120-1-of…Thanks!
Making my first post one of gratitude. It's all downhill from here.
Whilst the installer is there, get them to change your old cfl/halogen globes to LEDS, install weather seals, low flow shower heads & exhaust fan draft stopper. #milkthescheme
How you get seals free? Only a rebate
Wow, already got a date for installation!!
What suburb? That's good.
Tullamarine
oh i see this has been updated to include a radius of 20km around Melbourne….
any love for those of us a little bit further out? Ringwood maybe pretty please? :)Yeah that sucks I think I’m right on the edge or outside. Anyone else doing this further out?
I just booked an installation for Ringwood area. They must be expanding the installation radius.
Have to cancel my appointment… can't open the electricity box :(
So this no longer becomes free if I have to pay for locksmith to open the box :(
Just had mine installed, took about 5 minutes, no fuss at all.
good lad!
what suburb?Sunshine West
noice
When should we expect some sort of sms?
Well it’s been suspended again due to Lockdown 2.
Got an SMS saying it's been delayed due to COVID restrictions (didn't have a date booked yet) and will resume at a later date. More info here
Yep, I just got an SMS that it has been suspended.
I received an SMS today to say it has restarted link
If you previously requested an appointment then you should receive an SMS to re-book
I want one of these (as a matter if interest) but can't justify $129. Wish they would do a Coupon Code like previous ones $70 to $90. Doubt will see anytime soon seeing as they are getting plenty of business from Vic Govt :-(
Nice for those that are getting for free.Do you know how this is locked down/secured from anyone near my house connecting to it with their smartphone and viewing my usage data?
Ended up grabbing one with a small discount.
It connects using Bluetooth and requires the usual PIN Code (supplied on seperate card in box) when pairing with your preferred device.
The other thing is that it would become obvious if someone did get around that as it only permits x1 device to connect. One needs to disconnect via app on existing device to connect to another.
I found that it can pair with multiple devices, only that it is only active on a single device for the real-time power information.
But all the devices with the app do get the 15min average update when you launch the app as long as there is 1 device that is still connected to Powerpal and has Internet connection to upload the information to a cloud i guess.
I discovered this because while i was away one time my phone keeps on getting the 15min updates everytime i check on the app. It was one of my tablets that had the app even with its screen off all day. I confirmed this by having my son turn the bluetooth off the tablet then i no longer received updates remotely.
Interesting, must give it a go.
Update: Sure enough that does indeed work. Installed it on a tablet (as primary) that I am using here.
On Phone (with bluetooth off) data updated …..4:28pm, 4:32pm, 4:38pm. Seems like a random time and suspect one needs to have the Powerpal screen in focus on Tablet for it to update Web? The min I refocused on it, my Phone updated to 4:47pm, then 4:51pm.
Time will tell.Update: Seems to update every min on Phone if App is displayed on Primary. Its usually 1 min behind live. Screen must remain on and App in focus on my (Android) Tablet for it to work. If screen turns off then no updates.
Update: if screen locked on Primary device it updates every 15mins as per what you noted @jelicamo.
Update (Jan 2021): The new Powerpal App refreshes by the Minute now (on phone when out and about) even if the screen is locked on the device that is connected live.
Got it installed this morning.
This is every Asian Dad's favourite app :(
Got mine installed a week ago and I am loving it. :)
I also had solar installed at our place a couple of weeks ago. It would have been nice if Powerpal could communicate with the inverter to see how much solar energy you are generating in one consolidated place.
They will not just give it to you. someone will come and install and will activate the same on their tablet. Enter details from your electricity bill to configure the app etc.
Once they are gone, do whatever you want from it. I personally got that person to install it and when gone, I repositioned the bluetooth transmitter to make it hidden which the installer was unwilling to do saying it will affect the connectivity with the app.