Considering solar?
IMPORTANT METER INFORMATION
If you’re thinking about installing solar then you’ll need a smart meter. Power of Choice regulations mean that you can only get a smart meter through your electricity retailer. That’s us!
Smart meters measure electricity consumption in 30-minute intervals and can be read remotely, removing the need for a meter reader to visit your property to read your meter.
Once your smart meter is installed and solar PV system activated, any electricity produced by your solar PV system will first be used to meet the demands of your home, with any surplus exported to the grid. The amount paid for surplus electricity is known as a feed-in tariff and will appear as a separate line item on your Enova Energy bill.
NEW TIME FRAMES
As of 1st February 2019, there are new time frames for meters to be installed, unless we agree to another date:
15 business days for customer requested meter exchanges such as for getting some new functionality such as solar net metering, controlled load, remote reads etc.6 business days for customer requested new meter installations such as for a new connection, at a new home or building site with a new meter box.15 business days for network requested meter exchanges such as for getting a faulty meter replaced.
30 business days where shared fusing is found to exist. Timeframes may be suspended where installation cannot proceed due to matter’s outside Enova’s control. eg. The site for the meter is not accessible, safe or ready for the meter to be installed.
New National Metering Rules
New national metering reforms came into effect in December 2017. These reforms are part of the Australia wide ‘Power of Choice’ initiative that is designed to give all consumers more options and control of the way in which they use and manage their electricity expenditure.
As an Enova customer, these new reforms mean two important things for you.
1. ENOVA IS YOUR METER MANAGER
Changes have been implemented in relation to who manages services relating to your meter. Previously, managing meters (installation, maintenance and reading) has been the role of energy distributors. However, under the new changes, as your energy provider, Enova takes over this role for all digital (smart) and new meters that are installed after this date.
If you have questions or problems with regard to your meter, you need to contact us.
2. SMART METER INSTALLATION IS NO LONGER VOLUNTARY
All new meters installed must be smart meters, and any meters that are old, broken and need replacing, will be replaced with smart meters.
You can keep your existing meter, but be aware that if, for any reason, it needs to be replaced, it will be upgraded to a (digital) smart meter.
METER FAQs
WHAT IS POWER OF CHOICE?
Power of Choice is a package of reforms to the National Electricity Market (NEM) designed to give consumers more options and control of the way in which they use and manage their electricity expenditure. The reforms come into effect on 1st December 2017. You can read more about Power of Choice below.
Find out more »
I LIVE IN AN AREA WITH LIMITED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COVERAGE. CAN I STILL HAVE A DIGITAL METER?
A technician can test the signal and if it is too weak to deliver remote services (such as meter readings) then alternative arrangements may need to be put in place. We’ll discuss these alternative arrangements with you if they’re necessary. Contact us on (02) 5622 1700 if you have questions about this.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES TO REGULATIONS AROUND DIGITAL METERS?
Up until now, having a smart meter has been voluntary. But as of 1st December 2017, all new meters installed must be smart meters, and any meters that are old, broken and need replacing, will be replaced with smart meters.
DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF METER UPGRADES?
The answer is no. You can keep your existing meter for as long as it is working properly. But new regulations on 1st December 2017, mean that if for any reason your old meter needs to be replaced, it will be replaced with a digital one.
ARE THERE ANY HEALTH ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL METERS?
Smart meters use short bursts of radio waves of low level radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME). Health authorities, ARPANSA and the World Health Organisation (WHO), have examined the scientific evidence and current research indicates that there are no established health effects from the low exposure to the RF EME from smart meters.
WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION TRANSMITTED FROM DIGITAL METERS?
By law, meter data can only be accessed by customers, the meter reader, your energy retailer and others who are entitled to it. Your personal information is handled by us in accordance with our privacy policy.
Other related FAQs
HOW CAN I TELL WHAT KIND OF METER I HAVE?
You can’t always tell whether or not you have a smart meter or a gross meter just by looking at it. But you can call us. The Enova Team can check for you – we have access to information that will tell us whether you have a gross meter, net meter or smart meter, so call us, and please have your NMI (National Meter Identification) number, which is on your energy bill, handy.
Gross vs Net Meters »
Analog, Gross And Digital Meters »
At Enova it doesn’t matter what kind of meter you have, unless you want to sign up to our Solar Plus plan, then you need a net meter.
WHAT IS TIME OF USE (TOU)?
Time of Use is a tariff where the electricity costs differ depending on the time of day it is used. There are three different price periods:
‘Peak’ period electricity costs the most. Peak rates apply during the mornings and evenings on weekdays.
‘Off-peak’ electricity is the cheapest. Off-peak rates usually apply late at night through to early morning week days and all day Saturday and Sunday.
‘Shoulder’ period electricity applies between peak and off-peak periods, e.g. late morning to late afternoon.
Customers with solar panels or those that have installed a smart meter can take advantage of TOU because the meters record consumption in different time periods.
For more detailed information see