Large power bills can be expensive, but there are simple ways to save. Depending on your power usage, switching to a cheaper night/off-peak power plan can lead to big savings.
Currently not all energy retails offer off-peak pricing. However, new government regulation is impelling all the big power companies to offer plans that provide consumers cheaper off-peak electricity rates by July next year.
However many electricity retails already offer off-peak pricing, and below we cover the options available.
What are night/off-peak power plans?
Night/off-peak tariffs offer a cheaper power rate at night and during the day, when the demand for electricity is at its lowest. For example:
- Peak: 25c per kWh
- Off-peak 17c per kWh
This differs from a standard plan, which offers a single kWh price regardless of when you use electricity. However, some plans that offer off-peak power can charge a bit more for peak power use.
To sign up for an off-peak plan usually requires a smart meter, so your electricity retailer knows when you are using your power. However, around 83% of New Zealand homes have a smart meter, so chances are you already have one installed.
When are night/off-peak power times?
The exact times differ between plans and providers. But, usually, peak times are Monday to Friday, 7am-11am & 5pm-9pm.
How providers choose to offer their off-peak electricity differs. While some opt to provide cheaper rates at any time outside of peak hours, others opt for a day/night plan. On these plans, you only get off-peak electricity rates during the night (11pm-7am).
Is a night/off-peak power plan right for me?
This depends on a few factors:
- To make up for the cheaper off-peak rates, are you getting charged more for your peak power?
- How much electricity usage can you shift off-peak?
You may find that a power plan offers a great night rate but, to compensate, its standard rates are higher. This means to avoid overpaying, you need to direct as much of your power usage as possible to off-peak times.
It’s important to note that not all plans offering off-peak electricity charge more for peak rates. You may find a plan that delivers cheap rates at all times. But how much you can save on your power bill depends on how much usage you can shift off-peak.
Night/off-peak plans are best suited for:
- EV owners – who can use the cheap night rates to charge their EVs
- People who work odd hours – if you work nights and are home all day, for example, you can run all your appliances during cheaper daytime rates
- People who work from home – working from home can really add to your power bill. Cheaper power throughout the middle of the day can make a big difference
- Night owls and early birds – up extra late or extra early? Use that time for showers, laundry, and running the dishwasher
- Homebodies – typically all weekend is considered off-peak. So if you’re a homebody, this can not only save on your existing usage, but allows you to shift plenty of your power-hungry chores to the weekend, too.
Do note that some of the above suggestions assume you’re getting off-peak rates during the day. As mentioned above, some plans only offer discounted rates at night.
Which power companies offer night/off-peak plans?
Below is an overview of all the major electricity providers in New Zealand that offer plans with peak and off-peak electricity rates. Do note the actual rates offered will be based on your home’s address, so be sure to visit individual retailer websites for quotes.
Ecotricity
Ecotricity sets itself apart as New Zealand’s only provider of 100% renewable and carbonzero certified electricity.
Its ecoSAVER plan allows its customers to save by switching power to off-peak times, and offers up to 50% discounts on peak rates:
- Peak times: 7am-11am, 5pm-9pm
- Off-peak times: 9pm-7am, 11am-5pm & all day weekends
Ecotricity also offers an ecoWHOLESALE plan, which links prices directly to the wholesale market. This can lead to very cheap power in times of high production, but the reverse can also apply. In times of low national power supply and high demand, you could pay dearly for the electricity you use.
Electric Kiwi
Electric Kiwi has two plans that offer off-peak rates. Notably, its morning peak rates are just 7am-9am. Whereas many other providers charge peak rates until 11am. Throw in the fact that all Electric Kiwi plans come with an hour of free off-peak power, and there are plenty of savings to be made.
MoveMaster
- Three different rates for power (peak, off-peak shoulder, off-peak night)
- Half-price power overnight (11pm-7am)
- Solar buyback rate: 23c/kWh peak & 11.5c/kWh off-peak
Go250
- Prepaid balance of $250, topped up when balance reaches $0
- Two different rates for power (peak and off-peak) – move your power usage off-peak for the biggest savings
- Free power all day Sundays for first 12 months of contract
- Must be bundled with broadband or mobile
Contact
Contact Energy has three plans that offer cheaper off-peak power:
- Good Weekends: Free power 9am-5pm every Saturday and Sunday, no fixed term
- Good Nights: Free power 9pm-midnight every night, no fixed term
- Good Charge: Half price power 9pm-7am every night of the week
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy’s off-peak rates include half-price energy at night.
- Peak times: 7am-11am, 5pm-9pm
- Off-peak: 11am-5pm, 9pm-11pm & 7am-11pm on weekends
- Night: 11pm-7am everyday
Powershop
Powershop has Get Shifty rates, which offer discounted electricity rates during off-peak hours in some areas.
The times differ depending on your area and network, but in most areas peak rates fall within the standard times of: weekdays 7am-11am, 5pm-9pm.
For more info on Powershop’s Get Shifty rates and if they apply to you, click here.
Pulse Energy
Pulse Energy’s Power Shift Plan offers:
- Peak, off-peak, and night rates: discounted off-peak power
- Half-price weekends: from 12am Saturday to 12am Monday
Peak: 7am-11am & 5pm-9pm | Off-peak 11am-5pm & 9pm-11pm | Night 11pm-7am
Night/off-peak EV power plans
While these providers don’t offer standard time-of-use rates, they do have plans with discounted night rates for EV owners. While these plans are primarily designed to save on EV charging costs, you can run other appliances during these hours to make the most of the discounted rates. Note that each of the following plans require evidence of EV ownership.
Meridian
Meridian’s EV Plans offers discounted electricity from 9pm-7am every night.
Genesis
If you have an EV, Genesis will give you half-price power from 11pm-7am every night.
Mercury
Mercury’s EV Fuel Package applies a 20% discount to your existing Mercury plan between 9pm-7am every night. Available on a two-year term.
How do you make the most of night/off-peak power plans?
Night/off-peak plans work well for households that are disciplined and committed to using electricity outside of peak times. Here are some tips to help you make the most a night tariff plan:
- Make sure you know when your night time/off-peak rates are, so you can make the best use of them
- Ensure your hot water cylinder is set up so it only charges at night. You will need to make sure you’ve enough water in your cylinder to last the whole day
- Use high-energy appliances at off-peak times, for example the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer
- If you have an electric vehicle (EV), charge it at night
- Charge your devices overnight
- During winter, set your heat pump(s) to come on early in the morning before peak-power time, to thoroughly warm your living areas
Compare electricity providers for free with Canstar Blue!
About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar’s NZ Editor. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery puzzle book 5 Minute Murder.
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