Top Energy lines charges discount October 2019
What
If you are connected to the Top Energy network, you automatically qualify for a discount of up to $200 which is normally applied to your November power bill.
Top Energy send the discount to your electricity retailer on the 1st November, to be applied to your power bill in the normal method used by your retailer.
Why
As the eligible holder of a Far North electricity account, you get a discount from Top Energy (as part of your electricity bill) as the community own the Top Energy Network.
It’s a credit that comes to you from Top Energy, the power company that operates the electricity lines network in the Far North.
Why don’t Top Energy reduce the lines charge?
We don’t reduce the lines portion of your bill, as your electricity retailer has no obligation to pass on lines cost reductions.
Why don’t Top Energy send a cheque?
Crediting your electricity account avoids lots of hassles like cheques going missing in the mail or being stolen or having to have your name changed on a cheque. You receive the immediate benefit of the credit on your latest power bill.
Who
You are eligible for the Top Energy discount if you were connected to the Top Energy network and your name is on the bill for the 22 October 2019, and have used more than 1 kilowatt hour (kWh) of power between 01 October 2018 – 30 September 2019
To receive the full $200, you have, to have used over 1,130 kWh.
If you have used between 1 and 1130, you will receive a minimum of $57, and those total dollars will increase depending on your kWh power consumption.
When
Top Energy send this discount to your electricity retailer on 01 November. For the majority of customers, this will appear on your bill with a November dated. If it doesn’t appear as a discount line on your bill by December, please check with your electricity retailer.
If your electricity meter was connected and in your name on Tuesday 22 October 2019 you will receive the discount.
If you were not connected on the 22nd of October 2019, you won’t be eligible for the discount. You need to have been connected on the 22 October 2019 and the discount will be based on the consumption of the connection you are attached to on that date (22 October), over the period 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019.
How
If you:
- get a monthly bill either by email or through the post your Top Energy discount is credited to your account by your electricity retailer. You get a lower bill than usual.
- have a Direct Debit Payment your Top Energy lines charge discount is credited to your account by your electricity retailer. Your power bill is lower, and less cash than usual will be taken from your account.
- pay by Automatic Payment your Top Energy lines charge discount tops up your account and, depending on your retailer, you are free to choose to reduce the amount you pay at each instalment or put a stop to it for a while.
- have a pre-paid electricity account your Top Energy lines charge discount tops up your account. Next time you call your retailer or pop into the Post Office, check your balance and choose whether or not to make your usual payment.
FAQs
If I close my account and the discount doesn’t appear, who do I take this up with?
If you were taking a power supply from the Top Energy network somewhere on 22 October, you should contact the electricity retailer that you had the account with on the 22 October.
My neighbour has received two discount payments and I’ve just received one. Why?
It must be that your neighbour has more than one electricity account and connection point.
Does each power connection receive a separate line charge credit?
Yes.
Will I have to pay income tax on my discount payment?
Not unless you claim your electricity payments as a business expense in your tax return.
If I’m not in business, do I need to include my discount payment in my tax return?
No.
Does the discount include GST?
Yes. ($200 DISCOUNT = GST $26.08 + NETWORK $173.92)
I am in credit with my power account – how do I get the cash?
You should call your electricity retailer and they will arrange a payment or offset against future bills.
My name is no longer on the electricity bill. But it was until very recently. You say more people are getting more under this new arrangement but I’m losing out!
More people are indeed getting more money this way. We’ve done everything we can to ensure that this is a fairer way of doing things. But because this discount is now paid through electricity accounts it must be the account holder who gets the discount.
If you pay a share of the electricity bill where you are now, and you are still in the Far North, you should still benefit from the reduced bill in November/December.
I’ve left the region, but I paid power bills for most of this year. I deserve my discount.
We’ve done everything we can to find a fairer way of distributing this discount and a great many more people will benefit more from this approach. But because the discount is now paid through electricity accounts it must be the existing account holder at your former property who gets the discount.
It’s possible that you will qualify for a lines charge discount from the lines company in your new region.
I’m a PrePaid/CashPower customer – how do I receive my discount?
Your Top Energy lines charge discount tops up your account. Next time you call your retailer or pop into the Post Office, check your balance and choose whether to make your usual payment.
I am not happy with the process. Who can I take this further with, and how?
You should call or email Top Energy setting out your complaint, which will then be handled through our established complaint procedure. Our number is 0800 867 363 or email feedback@topenergy.co.nz
