So many energy providers have hopped on the bandwagon and created their own apps and Powershop is no different! The retailer offers its app to customers with eligible iPhone and Android devices to help track their energy usage, meter reads and costs all in the palm of their hands. But is its app worth the switch? We investigate its full range of features below.
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What is the Powershop app?
The Powershop app lets residential and business customers take care of their electricity account from the convenience of their smartphone or tablet. By logging into the app, users can pay their power bills, track energy usage, manage account details, view consumption history and receive notifications about special offers. And uniquely, the Powershop app allows customers to purchase Powerpacks to cover past, current or future energy usage.
Having access to a wide range of information and tools in the palm of your hand can be extremely helpful, particularly if you’re out and about and need to top-up your account. While the Powershop app does allow you to interact with your energy usage history, your home may need a smart meter for the best experience when using the app’s online usage tracking tools.
What does the Powershop app do?
Powershop customers will be able to access a variety of online functions, including:
- Tracking electricity usage
- Purchasing ‘Powerpacks’ at any time
- Managing account details
- Viewing usage history and rates
- Forecast future usage and costs with estimated meter reads
Do you need a Powershop login to use the app?
Yes, customers who download the Powershop app will need to input their login details which are otherwise entered into the portal on Powershop’s website. From here, customers will be able to navigate all of the app’s functions, provided they have a smart meter.
Powershop app for iPhone
You can download the Powershop app free of charge on your iPhone via the App Store. The size of the app file is 43.6MB, and your Apple operating system must run iOS 12.0 or a later version, and be compatible with iPad, iPod Touch or Mac with Apple M1 chip and macOS. Here’s a screenshot of what the Powershop app looks like on an iPhone:
Powershop app for Android
If you have an Android device, the Powershop app is free and easy to download on Google Play. The app requires an Android operating system of 6.0 or above. Take a look at the image below to see the Powershop app on Android.
Does the Powershop app track energy usage?
The Powershop app lets you track electricity usage from your pocket and can be viewed half-hourly, daily, monthly or yearly, so long as you have a smart meter installed at your property. To view your electricity usage, simply click on the ‘daily usage’ tab on your Android or Apple smartphone.
Tracking energy usage is displayed in costs per day and your daily charge per kilowatt hour (kWh). It’s important to keep in mind that costs per day are based on estimated averages, meaning you shouldn’t take the figures for gospel.
The Powershop app also features an ‘insights’ graph to your electricity usage, an activity tracker that allows you to monitor any spikes and drops in your energy usage, as well as a current usage function. Again, you will need a smart meter to view your current usage information.
If you don’t have a smart meter installed at your property, your usage estimates will be based on any past meter readings you submit into the app.
How to purchase energy using the Powershop app
You can pre-purchase packs of electricity using the Powershop app by clicking on the ‘shop’ tab. Depending on your device, the amount of energy you’ve used and bought should be displayed, which helps as you’ll know exactly how much electricity is left in that pack.
The Powershop app allows you to buy energy to cover your past, current or future energy usage. You can also browse any specials that are available and break down the price and discounts on each plan. It’s worth noting though that while Powershop still offers some types of prepaid energy, the provider has since move towards a more traditional billing approach. Previously, where customers were given an option of being on pre-paid or traditional billing, now bill-payers will need to sign-up to Powershop’s flagship offer ‘Power Offset’ in order to purchase Powerpacks as they become available in the shop. This means that customers who do not wish to buy these packs to cover past, present or future energy usage can simply be charged the rates on the Power Offset offer.
Powershop Plans
Here are the Powershop plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the Powershop plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the Powershop plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the Powershop plans on our database for South Australia. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Does the Powershop app monitor electricity usage if I have solar?
Yes, customers with smart meters can track and view their solar output data under the solar insights tab on the Powershop app. These insights are measured daily or half hourly and can be a great way of keeping on top of your solar system’s performance. They can also help to make sure you’re earning any applicable solar feed-in tariffs.
Do you need a smart meter to use the Powershop app?
Although a smart meter isn’t essential to use the Powershop app, it will make a big difference in tracking your current electricity usage. Without a smart meter, you won’t be able to receive live updates and information about your electricity usage in the app. If you are looking to track your household energy usage with live updated information, then check out our helpful guide on how to get a smart meter.
Is the Powershop app worth downloading?
The Powershop app unlocks a lot of value if you’re a person who likes the idea of having access to your energy account from your pocket. And the app has loads of functions that are otherwise only available via the website’s online portal. If you don’t have a smart meter however, you will miss out on live energy usage updates.
At the time of this article’s publication, the Powershop app managed to score 3.2 out of five on the App Store and 4.1 out of five on Google Play, which is an average score in comparison to other energy company apps.
The Powershop app could be a worthy investment (it’s free to download) if you’re looking to buy Powerpacks from your smartphone or receive electricity usage information. Despite its many useful features, the Powershop app may not be worth downloading if you’re happy to navigate your energy account on the website portal.
Are Powershop energy plans right for me?
Powershop’s payment structure can be a bit of a puzzle for some, but rest assured that its energy plans still include loads of value if you know what you’re after. Regardless of whether you’re intrigued by Powershop’s billing model, or you want to see what else is out there, using our free comparison tool can make your search for a better energy deal much easier.
Original Author: Jared Mullane
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