Change to standard or low user
How do I choose?
Your best option depends on the amount of electricity you use at your primary residence. You can't have the low user option for other premises on your account, like a holiday home, a sleepout, or a shed.
Low User option
If you use less than 8000 units a year at your primary residence (and not, for example, a holiday home), the Low User option may be best for you. This rises to 9000 units in parts of the lower South Island.
You pay:
- a lower daily fixed charge
- a higher variable charge for each unit of electricity you use. The Low User option is only available for your primary residence and not, for example, for a holiday home.
Update on Low User fixed charge regulations’
From 1 April 2022, we’re putting in place the Government’s plan to phase out Low User fixed charge regulations. You can find out more information about this change here.
What does this mean for our Low User customers?
As a Low User, this means you’ll see your daily fixed charge increase, and variable charge decrease, on 1 April every year for five years (2022 – 2026).
The impact on your bill depends on how much power you use as well as any other price changes applicable to your site. The closer you are to using 8,000 kWh per year (or 9,000 kWh per year if you’re south of Arthur’s Pass), the less you’ll be impacted by this change.
Join Meridian Change to a low user plan
Standard User option
If you use more electricity, a Standard User option may be better.
You pay:
- a higher daily rate
- a slightly lower rate for each unit of electricity you use. Find out how many units you used in the past year. Check your Online Tools, your bills, or call us.
Join Meridian Change to a standard plan
There are situations where you can't get a low user option
The Minister of Energy has made exemptions for homes with certain kinds of power supply on a number of power networks.
Marlborough Lines network
You can’t have a Low User option if you’re on the Marlborough Lines network and your home:
- is on 3-phase supply; or
- has a supply that’s greater than 15kVA; or
- is in a remote area.
Marlborough Lines Company Notice of Exemption - remote areas
Marlborough Lines Company Notice of Exemption - 3-phase supply and 15 kVa
Alpine Energy network
You can’t have a Low User option if you’re on the Alpine Energy network and your home:
- is on 3-phase supply; or
- has a supply that’s greater than 15kVA.
Alpine Energy Notice of Exemption
Network Waitaki
You can’t have a Low User option if you’re on the Network Waitaki network and your home:
- is on 3-phase supply; or
- has a supply that's greater-than 15kVA
Standard and low user options
How do I choose?
Your best option depends on the amount of electricity you use at your primary residence. You can't have the low user option for other premises on your account, like a holiday home, a sleepout, or a shed.
Comparison
Low User option
If you use less than 8000 units a year at your primary residence (and not, for example, a holiday home), the Low User option may be best for you. This rises to 9000 units in parts of the lower South Island.
You pay:
- a lower daily fixed charge
- a higher variable charge for each unit of electricity you use. The Low User option is only available for your primary residence and not, for example, for a holiday home.