Compare and switch over the phone?
0800 179 482
Compare and switch over the phone?
0800 179 482
Switchme is a 100% free service. It doesn't cost you a cent!
TopWell, for a start you've come to the right place!
The first step is to enter your details into the calculator. This will give you a range of different power companies and pricing plans available to you.
Next, click the arrow beside the plan and retailer that best suits you.
You'll need to provide a few details to make it easy for your chosen electricity company to switch your supply over. Don't worry if you're missing some details, your chosen electricity company will give you a call if they need any other information. That's pretty much it!
You should receive a call (within a few days) from your chosen electricity provider confirming your switch. If not - then feel free to give them a call to see how things are going.
You will receive a final bill from your current retailer within 10 business days, and a confirmation from your new retailer either by email or post within the same amount of time. If not, feel free to give us a call so we can follow up on your behalf.
TopBy law, electricity retailers now have a maximum or 10 days to complete your switch. 50% of all switches must be completed in 5 days. During that time you should receive a final bill from your old electricity retailer, and a welcome call, email or letter from your new electricity retailer.
TopYes. Switchme uses a comprehensive calculation that provides you with all pricing plans for all retailers in your area.
TopOur prices are 100% up-to-date because we update our prices as soon as the retailers change theirs. We have agreements in place with most retailers around the supply of correct pricing.
TopSome power companies specify minimum contract term, which means that there may be penalties if you break your contract. If you are unsure, then give your electricity supplier a call and ask. Most power companies however don't specify a minimum term, which means you're free to switch whenever you like!
TopYes you sure can! Switchme offers an energy helpline allowing you to ask a real person the questions you have. We are here to help out with any technical terms, locating particular details on your bill or take you through the switching process. Once you've switched power companies using the Switchme site, you'll be well looked after with experienced support staff to assist with your queries. Call us now on 0800 179 482.
TopHere at Switchme, we do everything we can to make sure we have the most up-to-date pricing information. We have agreements with most New Zealand power companies which require them to send us their pricing schedule well before any prices change. To complement this, we are constantly scanning the electricity market for any price changes.
TopDon't Panic, your electricity will NEVER be interrupted or cut off during the switching process!
TopThere has been a lot of talk recently in the media around electricity prices and the complicated way in which the electricity industry operates. We figured it was about time someone gave Kiwis the information they have been asking for.
Switchme is an impartial comparison website built with three objectives:
Many customers dread the bi-monthly estimate bill, and begrudge paying for retailer’s guesses on their monthly consumption.
But did you know that you are able to provide your power company with a reading yourself, and have your invoice re issued based on your own accurate reading ?
Follow these simple steps to read your meter and never pay an estimate again !
There are two possible types of meter. A modern version will have a display which looks much like the speedometer on your vehicle (Diagram A). The older style meter dials look like clock faces (Diagram B).
Modern Meter: Simply read this meter from left to right. Ignore the figure showing on the far right which is marked underneath as either 0.01, 0.1 or 1/10. On many meters this last figure is red in colour - but not in all cases. On most of the new smart meters with a single display, it will play a series of information, flashing from one screen to the next. The actual meter reading will appear after the row of 8's. The meter reading in this example is 05619 kWh.
Old Style Meter: The two top dials (shown in red) 1/100 and 1/10 are for testing purposes only, so you can ignore them when taking a reading. Read the black dials from left to right starting with the dial with the highest number under it. Eg. 10,000 as shown to the left. When the hand is between two numbers, always read the lowest number (even if it not closest to the hand). For example, if the hand is between 5 and 6, write down the number 5. When the hand looks like it is exactly on a number, look at the hand of the clock to the right. If the hand on that clock is between 9 and 0 then write down the lower number from the previous clock. If the hand is between 0 and 1 then write down the higher number from the previous clock. The meter reading in this example is 05619 kWh.
You sure can! A smart meter replaces your existing meter, but doesn't lock you into any contracts with your electricity supplier. The smart meter just allows the meter reading company to read your meter remotely without actually visiting your house.
However, not all retailers have the technology to read all other retailers smart meters, so if you switch away from the company that installed your meter, any other provider may have to resort back to sending a meter reader to manually take a reading.
TopA Low User plan will apply if you use less than 8000kW per year (or 9000kW in the south of the South Island). The house you sign up must also be your primary residence (ie not a holiday home).
These Low User plans are cheaper overall if you use less than 8000kW per year, but be careful! These plans are usually more expensive than standard plans if you use more than 8000kW per year. The Switchme calculation takes into account these Low User plans.
TopIt will be stored on a secure server and only used if you give us permission. We may occasionally send you Switchme updates but you can opt out at any time.
TopThe website is privately funded. Switchme do NOT receive any Government/tax payer funding to run the free residential calculator. We do however, receive a small commission from some of the retailers on the site. This helps Switchme fund the website and the free energy helpline - 0800 179 482.
TopPowershop's pricing changes from month to month. Switchme applies a yearly profile to forecast monthly Powershop prices. This gives us an expected average price for the year. This price is then divided by 12 to give an average expected monthly price.
This means the actual monthly price paid by Powershop customers will be different from what is displayed in the Switchme results. The Switchme price shown will only reconcile with the actual Powershop price paid when you compare yearly costs.
TopFixed price offers are usually no cheaper or no more expensive than floating price deals only if the consumer sticks with that retailer for the length of the fixed price contract.
Lets take the example of say Alan on a fixed price deal and Bill on a floating price deal. Assuming they both use the same amount of electricity throughout the year.
Alan will say pay $100 per month for the entire 3 year contract. Bill on the floating rate will pay $90 per month for the first year, $100 per month for the second year and $110 per month for the 3rd year. Overall both consumers have paid the same amount over the 3 year period.The catch is (and where retailers make money) is when consumers decide to break the contract before the end of the 3 year period. If Alan leaves Retailer X say after 1 year, then he would have paid $1200 ($100 X 12) for a year's worth of electricity versus Bill who only paid $1080 ($90 X 12)for the year.
At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're paying the least amount for your electricity is to shop around. If the retailer you're with puts their power prices up, then switch to a cheaper retailer.
Part of the Switchme service is to email customers who are affected by price rises. That is, we let you know when your chosen retailer puts their prices up and tell you (based on your usage and meter type) which retailer is now cheapest for you. You can also follow us on Facebook for instant price rise updates.
TopYes, we are a free comparison service and can establish who is the cheapest power company in your area. We can also organise the switch for you free of charge. You can get a comparison online at www.switchme.co.nz or alternatively we can do it over the telephone - 7 days a week 8am-10pm on 0800 179 482.
TopNo, Switchme does not actually supply energy. Switchme provides a free unbiased comparison of power company's prices, enabling you to make an informed decision about your switch.
TopYour plan type is directly related to what type of meter your home has. A 24 hour or Anytime meter is just one single meter that runs the whole house from your electric hot water cylinder to light switches.
An Economy or Inclusive meter is very similar to 24hour or Anytime as some retailers call it, except that the hot water is controlled by a ripple relay at peak times of the day. Other customers may have more than one meter - for example Day/Night. This would mean they have one rate during the day and a cheaper rate during the night, and the hot water would generally only heat during the night.
Customers can find out what plan they have by checking the current charges on their most recent bill. If you direct them to find the current and previous meter readings on the current charges section of their invoice, they should find a description of the meter/plan.
If you are moving to a new property and have no idea what type of meter the property has, simply select unsure and results for all plan types will be populated in order of cheapest retailer first.
TopYes, even if you are not currently signed with a retailer, we can still compare prices of power companies in your area and sign you up to the cheapest.
TopThe comparison calculator knows that consumption under 750kWh per month is a Low User. Households using more than 800kWh would be considered Standard users of power. If you have selected a correct amount of monthly average usage, the calculation will display the most suitable plan.
TopEach power company has its own terms & conditions and credit criteria for becoming a customer. Some retailers may use a 3rd party agency to perform a credit check, and the decision to apply a bond will depend upon the outcome of this check. This applies to most power companies.
TopSwitchme is a completely free service and does not charge customers for its use. Each individual power company has their own terms and conditions that will apply. Some retailers may charge a joining fee and or bond. If you have entered into a fixed term contract with your current retailer, an exit fee may apply.
TopLow users are considered to use less than 9000/8000 kWh per annum.
The blue areas indicate that consumers must use less than 8000 kWh per annum to qualify for a low user plan. Consumers in the yellow areas must use less than 9000 kWh per annum to qualify as a low user.
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Low user rates offer a reduced line charge, but the price per unit is generally slightly higher than the standard user plans.
Low user plans are only applicable to a primary residence.
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Compare and switch over the phone?
0800 179 482
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