Power Saver Test

THE MIDDAY POWER TEST

Free power, fine print.

Three hours of no-cost electricity sounds like a no-brainer. But is it actually worth it for your household?

When Victoria’s Midday Power Saver launched on the 1st of October, I wanted to know if it would save us money, or just look good on a billboard. So I did the legwork. I checked the fine print, got specific about our hot water, our habits and our bill, and worked out what we could realistically save.

This guide hands you the same process, so you can work it out for yourself in about 10 minutes.

What’s inside

• My story. How we worked out whether the scheme suited us, and what we’re doing about it.
• The Midday Power Test prompt. A step-by-step AI prompt that interviews you about your eligibility, hot water system, household habits and current costs, then gives you a verdict and a rough saving. You’ll need your latest power bill and your hot water tank’s compliance label.
• The scheme explained. What the Midday Power Saver is in plain English, who it suits, who should think twice, and how to sign up.
• The rates. The regulated Victorian rates for each distributor in an easy copy-and-paste list.
• The rest of Australia. A section on the federal Solar Sharer Offer for NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland.
• A reality check. What the government estimates people could save, and why the real number depends on you.

Good to know

• It’s built for Victoria, NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland. If you’re anywhere else, the prompt will tell you plainly that no scheme covers your area yet.
• It gives estimates, not guarantees, and it isn’t financial or electrical advice. Anything involving timers or switchboards needs a licensed electrician.
• Rates can change, so double check current figures before you sign up to anything.

Never trust that a deal is as good as it’s being sold. Ask lots of questions. This guide helps you ask the right ones.