Your business energy contract is up for renewal, and alongside the fixed-rate offer is something different: a market-linked contract. For commercial customers, having a market linked energy contract explained in plain English can make all the difference.

Key highlights

• Pricing tracks NEM wholesale spot prices, settled every 5 minutes
• Rates are reviewed regularly, e.g. monthly or quarterly
• Suits businesses that can shift usage or absorb variable bills
• Trade-off: potential savings vs. less certainty
• Ask about reviews, caps, exit fees and reporting

What does preparing for a market-linked contract look like?

Unlike a standard fixed-rate plan, a market-linked contract ties your energy price to the wholesale market, so your rate can move up or down over the agreement. Preparation is about understanding your exposure before you sign.

Your action checklist

• Understand how often your rate will be reviewed
• Model a worst-case scenario for high wholesale prices
• Assess whether you can shift usage to lower-demand periods
• Check your cash flow flexibility for variable bills
• Prepare your questions for the retailer (below)

Why choose a market-linked contract?

Your bill usually reflects the average wholesale price for the billing period, plus network charges, environmental scheme costs and a retail margin. As a guide, wholesale energy makes up around 30–40% of a typical bill and network charges around 40–50%. Because wholesale prices respond to supply, demand and weather, rates can shift noticeably between billing cycles.

These contracts tend to suit businesses that can shift some energy use to lower-demand periods, or that have the cash flow flexibility to absorb a variable bill. Larger commercial customers with dedicated finance teams often find the potential upside worth the complexity.

Is a market-linked contract doable for your business?

Key takeaways

• Potential savings come with less certainty
• Model a worst-case scenario before you commit
• Clear contract answers make budgeting easier

Market linked energy contract explained, clause by clause

Market-linked contracts: what’s next?

The trade-off for potential savings is less certainty. Get a clear answer to each question above, model a worst-case scenario, and you’ll be in a much stronger position to decide and budget with confidence.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post Market Linked Energy Contract Explained: A Guide for Commercial Customers appeared first on CovaU Energy.

You open your energy bill and see three different rates: peak, off-peak and shoulder. If you’re not sure what they mean, you’re in good company. Time-of-use pricing is one of the least explained parts of an Australian energy plan, so here are peak off-peak electricity rates explained in plain English.

Key highlights

• Time-of-use tariffs charge different rates at different times
• Peak: late afternoon and early evening, when grid demand is highest and rates are most expensive
• Off-peak: overnight and, on some plans, a midday ‘solar sponge‘ window, the cheapest
• Shoulder: in between
• Shifting usage is the key to saving

What does time-of-use pricing look like in practice?

Instead of charging the same price for every kilowatt-hour, a time-of-use tariff charges different rates depending on demand on the grid at that time of day, which peaks on hot afternoons when cooling loads are high. Making it work for you means knowing your windows and shifting what you can.

Your action checklist

• Find the peak, shoulder and off-peak times on your plan
• Run dishwashers and washing machines overnight
• Charge your EV after midnight
• Time pool pumps and pool heating outside the peak window
• Compare your usage pattern against the time windows before switching plans

Why time-of-use pricing matters more than ever

As more households add solar, batteries and EVs, and the grid relies more on renewable generation that peaks in the middle of the day, time-of-use pricing is becoming more common, with distribution networks increasingly assigning time-of-use tariffs to new smart meter installations.

Example scenario: a household moves its dishwasher, washing and EV charging into off-peak hours, keeping only cooking and essential use in the evening peak.

Is a time-of-use plan right for you?

Key takeaways

• Time-of-use rewards households that can shift usage
• If you can’t shift usage, a flat rate may suit better
• Check your own usage pattern before switching

Peak, off-peak and shoulder rates compared

Time-of-use pricing: what’s next?

If your household is mostly out during the day and home during peak hours with limited ability to shift usage, a flat-rate plan might still suit you better. The key is checking your own usage pattern against the time windows on offer before you switch.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post Peak Off-Peak Electricity Rates Explained: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on CovaU Energy.

It’s Saturday morning, the kids want to go somewhere, and you’re already doing the maths on tickets. Being a CovaU customer comes with more than competitive energy plans. CovaU Rewards family activities help households get more value out of everyday life.

Key highlights

• Rotating discounts on family attractions and entertainment
• Everyday retail and dining offers
• Browse and filter offers by category or location
• Check before you book to turn plans into discounts
• Activation takes just a few minutes

What does planning CovaU Rewards family activities look like?

Planning CovaU Rewards family activities is simplest when checking the portal becomes part of how you book outings.

Your action checklist

• Activate CovaU Rewards through your online account
• Browse the portal by category or location
• Check for offers before booking any outing
• Save favourite offers for school holidays and weekends
• Check back regularly, as offers are updated

Why use CovaU Rewards?

CovaU Rewards gives eligible customers access to a rotating range of discounts and offers, from family attractions and entertainment to everyday retail and dining, all included as part of being a CovaU customer.

Example scenario: a family planning a theme park visit checks the rewards portal before buying tickets and finds an offer, turning an already-planned day into a discounted one.

Is it easy to make the most of your rewards?

Key takeaways

• Rewards are included as part of being a CovaU customer
• Checking before you book is the easiest habit
• Offers rotate, so check regularly

CovaU Rewards family activities at a glance

CovaU Rewards: what’s next?

If you haven’t activated your CovaU Rewards access yet, it only takes a few minutes through your online account. Build it into your routine before booking anything, big or small, so you’re not leaving value on the table.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post CovaU Rewards Family Activities: Days Out on Us appeared first on CovaU Energy.

You’ve been reading about solar for months and you’re ready to get quotes. Before you do, it helps to know what installers will look at. If you’re asking ‘is my roof solar ready?’, here’s what determines whether your home is a good candidate and what might need attention first.

Key highlights

• North-facing roofs produce the most solar energy over a year in Australia
• Shading should be checked across all four seasons
• Roof age and condition matter for a decades-long system
• Mounting varies by roof material
• Older switchboards or meters may need an upgrade

What does checking ‘is my roof solar ready’ look like?

You can do a quick self-check before any installer visits. It won’t replace a proper site assessment, but it helps you ask better questions and spot issues early.

Your action checklist

• Note which direction your main roof faces
• Watch for shadows from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings at different times of day
• Check the age and condition of your roof
• Identify your roof material (tile, tin or other)
• Look at the age of your switchboard and meter
• Ask installers for a shading analysis across all seasons

Why roof readiness matters before you install

Solar panels are designed to last decades, with quality panels typically warranted to deliver 80%+ of their output after 25 years, so it’s worth checking your roof doesn’t need replacing or major repairs in the near future. Removing and reinstalling panels later adds unnecessary cost.

Example scenario: a homeowner with an older tiled roof gets the roof inspected first, completes minor repairs, then installs solar, avoiding the cost of removing panels for repairs a few years later.

Is going solar doable for your home?

Key takeaways

• East and west-facing roofs still work well, typically producing only 10–15% less than north over a year
• Shading changes across seasons
• Fix roof issues before panels go on

Is my roof solar ready? The checklist in detail

Solar readiness: what’s next?

A reputable installer will carry out a proper site assessment, including satellite or on-site shading analysis, before recommending a system size. Treat it as a normal part of getting quotes, and use this checklist to go in prepared.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post Is My Roof Solar Ready? A Quick Guide Before You Install appeared first on CovaU Energy.

The car is packed, the playlist is ready, and the only question left is where you’ll charge. Long road trips are one of the biggest question marks for new EV owners, but EV road trip charging Australia wide is far more manageable than it seems with a little planning.

Key highlights

• Plan your route around charging locations, not just distance
• Highway DC fast chargers can take most EVs from 20% to 80% in 20-40 minutes
• Build buffer time into your schedule
• Treat charging stops as natural breaks
• Always know a backup charger

What does EV road trip charging Australia planning look like?

Good EV road trip charging Australia planning starts with the chargers, then the route. Apps such as PlugShare, Chargefox and Evie Networks, along with many in-car navigation systems, show fast-charging stations along major highways, including estimated charging time.

Your action checklist

• Map charging stops before you finalise your route
• Check charger type and speed at each stop
• Book overnight stays with charging where possible
• Add buffer time, especially on holiday routes
• Note a second charging option on less-travelled routes

Why charging speed matters on the road

Not all chargers are equal. A 50–350kW DC fast charger can take a typical EV battery from 20% to 80% in around 20 to 40 minutes, while a standard charger at a hotel or caravan park is much slower and better suited to overnight stops.

Example scenario: a couple driving between two regional towns plans a fast-charge stop at the halfway point to line up with lunch, and books accommodation with a standard charger so the car is topped up overnight.

Is an EV road trip doable?

Key takeaways

• Plan around chargers first, distance second
• Fast-charge stops often match a normal coffee break
• A backup option removes most of the stress

EV road trip charging, stop by stop

Your EV road trip: what’s next?

Map your next trip around charging stops, add a little buffer, and treat each stop as part of the journey rather than lost time. Once you’ve done one road trip, the next one gets much easier.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post EV Road Trip Charging Australia: How to Plan Your Highway Route appeared first on CovaU Energy.

The first heatwave hits, and the remote goes straight to 18°C. It feels like the fastest way to cool down, but it isn’t. Heating and cooling make up around 40% of the average Australian home’s energy use, and air conditioning is usually the biggest driver of a summer electricity bill, and a few simple setting changes can make a real difference.

Key highlights

• 24-25°C is the sweet spot for cooling (recommended range: 24–26°C)
• Ceiling fans let you set the thermostat higher
• Curtains, blinds and closed doors reduce the load
• Clean filters before the first heatwave
• Timers, zoning and pre-cooling help on time-of-use plans

What does an air conditioning cost saving summer plan look like?

An air conditioning cost saving summer plan starts before the hot weather. Most of the savings come from how and when you run your system, not from buying a new one.

Your action checklist

• Clean filters or book a service before the first heatwave
• Set cooling to 24-25°C
• Run ceiling fans alongside the air con
• Close curtains, blinds and doors to unused rooms
• Use timers to cool bedrooms before sleep and living areas in the evening
• Pre-cool slightly before your peak pricing window if you’re on time-of-use

Why the thermostat setting matters

Setting your thermostat just 1°C lower can increase your cooling energy use by up to 10%. A much lower setting doesn’t cool the room meaningfully faster; it just runs the compressor harder for longer.

Example scenario: a family that usually cools the whole house at 20°C moves to 24°C with ceiling fans on, closes off unused rooms and sets a timer for bedrooms. The house feels just as comfortable, and the system runs less.

Is it doable without sacrificing comfort?

Key takeaways

• 24-25°C balances comfort and efficiency
• Moving air feels cooler, so fans let you set higher
• Timing matters on time-of-use plans

Air conditioning cost saving summer settings, explained

Summer cooling: what’s next?

You don’t need to sacrifice comfort to manage your summer bill. Small, consistent changes to how and when you run your air conditioner make a bigger difference than most people expect. Start with the thermostat and the filters this week.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post Air Conditioning Cost Saving Summer Guide: Settings That Won’t Blow the Budget appeared first on CovaU Energy.

You’re standing in the appliance store, or halfway through a renovation quote, and the same question comes up: gas or electric? The gas vs electric appliances debate comes up in almost every Australian kitchen, and the right answer depends on how you cook and how you use energy.

Key highlights

• Gas cooktops: instant, visible heat control
• Induction: ~85–90% efficient vs 30–50% for gas, boiling water in about half the time
• Ovens: a closer contest
• Hot water is around 25% of home energy use and usually the biggest gas load
• Going electric can happen gradually

What does choosing between gas vs electric appliances look like?

Before comparing models, work out which appliance you’re replacing and how your household actually uses it. The answer for a cooktop may be different to the answer for hot water.

Your action checklist

• List the gas and electric appliances in your home and their age
• Note which ones need replacing soonest
• Compare your actual gas and electricity bills, not rules of thumb
• Check the efficiency of the specific models you’re considering
• Decide whether to switch all at once or one appliance at a time

Why the gas vs electric question is changing

Electric heat pump hot water systems typically deliver 300–400% efficiency (3–4 units of heat per unit of electricity), compared with around 70–85% for gas systems, which is changing the equation for many households compared with older gas systems.

Example scenario: a household with an ageing gas hot water system replaces it with an electric heat pump first, keeps the gas cooktop for now, and plans to move to induction when the cooktop needs replacing.

Is going electric doable?

Key takeaways

• There’s no single winner; it depends on usage, efficiency and your plan
• Hot water is often where the biggest difference lies
• Switching can be gradual as appliances need replacing

Gas vs electric appliances, side by side

Gas vs electric: what’s next?

If you’re considering moving fully electric, it doesn’t need to happen all at once. Many households start with hot water or cooktops and transition other appliances over time. Whichever way you go, compare your real bills and choose what works for your kitchen.

Related reading

• Gas Versus Electric Heating: Which Is More Cost-Effective for Australian Homes?
• The Impact of Using Energy-Efficient Appliances on Your Home’s Energy Consumption
• Gas Safety and Maintenance: A Checklist for the Upcoming Winter
• Energy saving tips for your home
• Compare CovaU residential electricity and gas plans

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post Gas vs Electric Appliances: Which Is Right for Your Australian Kitchen? appeared first on CovaU Energy.

If you live in NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania or the ACT, the clocks go forward on the first Sunday in October (Queensland, WA and the NT don’t observe daylight saving), and suddenly it’s still light at 7:30pm. Dinner, washing and screen time all shift a little later. When the clocks change for daylight saving, so do the hours your household uses the most energy, and that’s an opportunity to save if you adjust with them.

Key highlights

• More evening daylight means lights and appliances can wait
• Your peak usage window may shift relative to your routine
• Peak solar generation lines up an hour later on the clock
• The clock change is a natural prompt to reset winter habits

What does a daylight saving energy plan look like?

These daylight saving energy tips Australia households can use are about habits and timing, not new equipment. The goal is to make the most of the longer evenings without pushing your bill up.

Your action checklist

• Delay switching on lights until it’s actually dark
• Check your time-of-use peak window against your new routine
• Run the dishwasher or washing machine later in the afternoon if you have solar
• Switch off heating settings that carried over from winter
• Update appliance timers and smart home schedules for the season

Why does daylight saving affect your bill?

Daylight saving can shift when your household’s busiest energy hours fall. While your panels catch the same hours of sun, peak solar generation aligns an hour later on your clock, giving you more self-generated power during late-afternoon household activity. If you’re on a time-of-use plan, your peak window stays fixed to the clock while your routine shifts, so it’s worth checking how the two now line up.

Example scenario: a household with rooftop solar used to run the dishwasher after dinner. After daylight saving starts, they run it mid-to-late afternoon instead, using more of their own solar generation and less grid power in the evening.

Is it doable without changing your routine?

Key takeaways

• Extra evening daylight cuts lighting use during the evening peak
• Time-of-use households should re-check their peak window
• Solar households can shift loads later in the day

Daylight saving energy tips, habit by habit

Daylight saving: what’s next?

Use the clock change as a simple reminder each year to check your appliance timers, your retailer plan and any smart home settings, so they reflect the season you’re actually in. Small time shifts can add up to real energy savings.

Related reading

• Daylight-Saving Time: Assessing the Energy Impact in Australia
• Understanding Demand Tariffs in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
• Simple Energy-Saving Tips for Lower Energy Bills This Winter
• Energy saving tips for your home
• Compare CovaU residential electricity and gas plans

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post Daylight Saving Energy Tips Australia: Small Time Shifts, Real Savings appeared first on CovaU Energy.

Service Your Air Conditioning Now

A dirty filter or low refrigerant can make a unit work much harder than it needs to. A quick service before the summer rush keeps your cooling running efficiently when you need it most.

Set (and Stick to) a Sensible Temperature

Every degree below about 24°C can add meaningfully to your cooling costs. Setting a standard temperature across the business, rather than letting it drift lower on hot days, adds up over a full season.

Use Timers and Sensors

Powering down air conditioning, lighting and equipment outside trading hours, or when a room is empty, is one of the simplest ways to cut waste without changing how customers experience your business.

Check Your Fridges and Freezers

Commercial fridges and freezers often run non-stop. Clean condenser coils, check door seals, and avoid overfilling to keep them running as efficiently as possible through the warmer months.

Review Your Business Energy Plan

Before summer bills arrive, it’s worth checking whether your current plan and tariff structure still suit how your business actually uses energy, especially if your trading hours or equipment have changed.

Small Changes, Real Results

None of these changes require major investment, and most take an afternoon to put in place, but together they can noticeably soften the impact of summer on your energy bill.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.

The post 5 Energy Efficiency Wins for Small Businesses Before Summer appeared first on CovaU Energy.