How to use Victoria's Midday Power Saver with your reverse cycle air con
Since 1 October 2026, eligible Victorian households can opt in to the Victorian Midday Power Saver and receive free electricity between 11am and 2pm, every day. For homes with reverse cycle air conditioning, this creates a practical opportunity: run your heating or cooling during the free window, then coast through the expensive evening peak.
This guide explains how the offer works and how to use timers and Wi-Fi control to get the most from it. All figures are drawn from SEC Victoria and EnviroGroup.
What is the Midday Power Saver?
The Midday Power Saver gives eligible households 3 hours of free electricity between 11am and 2pm each day. It is an opt-in offer through your electricity retailer, and there is nothing to pay to join.
The reason for the offer is the amount of solar power on Victoria's grid. SEC Victoria notes that around one in every three Victorian homes now has solar, and that during the middle of the day the grid cannot always absorb all the renewable energy being generated. In the evening, demand spikes as people come home and turn on heating or cooling. The offer is designed to shift use away from that evening spike.
Who is eligible?
According to SEC Victoria, to be eligible you need to:
- be a residential electricity customer in Victoria
- have a smart meter
- be with an electricity retailer that has 1,000 customers or more (most retailers fit this criterion)
- opt in by contacting your electricity retailer.
You do not need solar panels or a battery to sign up. Renters who are eligible residential customers can also opt in. However, if you live in an apartment, retirement village or caravan park supplied through an embedded network, you are unlikely to be able to access the offer.
Understanding the catch: higher peak rates
EnviroGroup explains that the Midday Power Saver is a time-of-use tariff regulated by the Essential Services Commission, and the rates outside the free window go up to pay for it. The 4pm to 9pm peak is the most expensive period, at around 43 cents per kilowatt-hour on average and nearly 50 cents in AusNet's distribution zone.
SEC Victoria also advises that:
- electricity prices outside the free hours may be higher than on other plans
- actual savings depend on your ability to shift usage into the 11am to 2pm window
- fair use caps apply, so ask your retailer to explain their caps and what happens if you exceed them.
EnviroGroup notes that use above the cap during the free window is billed at the "solar soak" rate rather than free. It also cautions that if you cannot move much of your usage, the higher peak and off-peak rates could leave you paying more than you do now. You can compare offers on the Victorian Government's Victorian Energy Compare site.
What could you save?
The Victorian Government estimates that households on the Midday Power Saver could save between $149 and $428 a year, depending on their living situation and assuming they shift 5% to 30% of their energy use into the free window.
Why reverse cycle air conditioning suits the free window
Air conditioners are on SEC Victoria's list of energy-intensive appliances worth running between 11am and 2pm. EnviroGroup lists homes with ducted heating and cooling and good insulation among the best fits for the offer, because they let you "pre-load" energy into the home.
The principle is simple. Rather than switching your system on when you walk in the door at 6pm, you bring the home to a comfortable temperature during the free window, then let the building hold that comfort into the afternoon and evening.
Pre-cooling in summer
On hot days, run your system during the free window to cool the home before the heat of the afternoon builds. Close blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to help the home hold its temperature. You may then be able to run the system less during the peak.
Pre-heating in winter
In the cooler months, warm the main living areas in the middle of the day so the home starts the evening warm rather than cold. Closing doors to unused rooms and good ceiling insulation help the home hold that warmth.
Using timers and Wi-Fi control
You do not need to be home to take advantage of the window. SEC Victoria suggests checking whether your appliances have timers you can set while you are away. Most modern reverse cycle systems include:
- Built-in timers: set the system to switch on shortly after 11am and off before 2pm.
- Weekly schedules: program different start and stop times for weekdays and weekends.
- Wi-Fi control: many systems can be controlled through a manufacturer app, allowing you to start, stop or adjust the system from your phone.
If you have several high-energy appliances, SEC Victoria recommends staggering their use across the three hours rather than running them all at once. For example, run the air conditioner early in the window and the dishwasher later.
If your existing system does not have Wi-Fi control, ask us whether a compatible Wi-Fi adaptor is available for your model.
Choosing the right system for your home
The right system depends on the size and layout of your home:
- Single head split systems suit a main living area or a single room.
- Multi-split systems run several indoor units from one outdoor unit, so you can control individual rooms.
- Bulkhead installations offer a discreet, ducted-style finish for apartments and rooms where a wall unit is not ideal.
- Reverse cycle ducted systems up to 25kW provide whole-of-home heating and cooling, often with zoning and app control.
Regular servicing and maintenance keeps your system running efficiently.
EZYAIR is a Victorian Energy Upgrades accredited provider (A2261). If you are upgrading from an older system or replacing gas heating, ask us whether your upgrade qualifies for a Victorian Energy Upgrades discount.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Midday Power Saver run?
Free electricity is available between 11am and 2pm every day for eligible households that opt in through their electricity retailer. The offer started on 1 October 2026.
Do I need solar panels to join?
No. You need a smart meter and a retailer with 1,000 or more customers, but solar panels and batteries are not required.
Can renters use the Midday Power Saver?
Yes. Eligible residential customers who rent in Victoria can opt in by contacting their electricity retailer. Households in embedded networks, such as some apartments and caravan parks, are unlikely to have access.
Is it worth running my air conditioner between 11am and 2pm?
Air conditioners are one of the appliances SEC Victoria suggests running in the free window. Pre-cooling or pre-heating during those hours can reduce how much you need to run the system during the 4pm to 9pm peak, when rates are highest.
Will I always save money?
Not necessarily. Rates outside the free window may be higher than on other plans, and savings depend on how much use you can shift. Ask your retailer to explain the rates and caps before you opt in.
Talk to EZYAIR
Want a reverse cycle system with the timers and Wi-Fi control to make the most of the Midday Power Saver? Contact EZYAIR or call 1300 399 247.
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