Midday Saver vs A1 — which Synergy tariff actually saves you money?

Most Perth households are on the A1 flat rate by default. Many should be on Midday Saver instead — and they're leaving $200-400/year on the table. Some are on Midday Saver and would actually be better off switching back to A1. The difference comes down to one number: what percentage of your usage falls between 3pm and 9pm?

If it's under 28.8%, Midday Saver wins. Above that, A1 is cheaper. That's the maths — everything else is detail.

The rates (current as of 2026)

| Time Period | A1 Home Plan | Midday Saver | |---|---|---| | Supply charge | ~$1.16/day | ~$1.29/day | | All hours (A1) | 32.37 c/kWh | — | | Super off-peak (9am–3pm) | — | 8.62 c/kWh | | Off-peak (9pm–9am) | — | 23.69 c/kWh | | Peak (3pm–9pm) | — | 53.84 c/kWh |

The spread is stark. Midday Saver's super off-peak is 73% cheaper than A1. But the peak rate is 66% more expensive. The same kilowatt-hour costs you 8.6c at noon or 53.8c at 6pm — a 6.2x difference.

The break-even rule

Work out what percentage of your total grid consumption happens between 3pm and 9pm. If you don't know, check your My Synergy usage data or upload your bill to our Savings Planner.

• Under 20% peak usage: Midday Saver saves you $300-500/year. Switch immediately.
• 20-28% peak usage: Midday Saver still wins, but by a smaller margin ($100-300/year).
• 28.8% peak usage: Break-even. Both plans cost roughly the same.
• Over 30% peak usage: A1 is cheaper. Stay put.

Solar households almost always fall under 28% because their panels cover the midday demand, meaning their grid purchases skew towards evening. If you have solar, you're probably leaving money on A1.

Who stays on A1, who switches

Stay on A1 if you have no solar and your household runs AC, cooking, and entertainment primarily in the evening. Families with kids who are home 3-9pm often have 35%+ peak usage — A1 is simpler and cheaper.

Switch to Midday Saver if you have solar (any size), work from home, run pool pumps or hot water during the day, or have a battery. Retirees who are home during the day and have solar are the textbook Midday Saver household.

Real-World Savings Comparison

Let's model a typical Perth household with 20 kWh daily usage:

Scenario A: Evening-heavy household (no solar)

• 5 kWh daytime, 15 kWh evening
• A1 cost: ~$6.16/day
• Midday Saver cost: ~$6.80/day
• Winner: A1 saves ~$234/year

Scenario B: Solar household, daytime usage

• 10 kWh daytime (5 kWh in midday window), 10 kWh evening, 6kW solar
• A1 cost: ~$6.16/day (minus solar self-consumption savings)
• Midday Saver cost: ~$5.37/day
• Winner: Midday Saver saves ~$288/year

Scenario C: Solar + battery household

• 8 kWh midday (cheap rate), 7 kWh from battery (evening), 5 kWh grid evening
• Midday Saver cost: ~$3.10/day
• Winner: Midday Saver with battery saves ~$1,100/year vs A1 grid-only

How to Switch

Switching between Synergy tariffs is free and can be done:

1. Online: Through your My Synergy account
2. Phone: Call Synergy on 13 13 53
3. Timing: Switches typically take effect from your next meter read

There's no lock-in contract and no switching fee. You can try Midday Saver for one billing period and switch back if it doesn't suit you.

The BillWise Recommendation

Upload your bill to BillWise and we'll calculate exactly which tariff saves you more based on your actual usage patterns. Our analysis considers:

• Your specific usage breakdown by time of day
• Your solar generation profile (if applicable)
• Seasonal variations in your consumption
• Potential savings from shifting specific appliances

Calculate your optimal tariff now →

Tips to Maximise Midday Saver Savings

If you do switch to Midday Saver, here are quick ways to shift more usage into the 9am–3pm super off-peak window:

1. Set washing machine and dryer timers to run mid-morning
2. Schedule your pool pump for midday hours
3. Pre-cool your house before 3pm so you need less AC in the evening
4. Charge EVs during the day if possible (or overnight with a smart charger)
5. Run dishwasher after lunch instead of after dinner
6. Set hot water system to heat during solar hours (electric boosted)

Every kilowatt-hour you shift from peak to super off-peak saves you about 45 cents — and that adds up fast.

Related Reading

• How to Reduce Your Electricity Bill in WA -- Practical tips beyond tariff switching to cut your power costs.
• Understanding Your Synergy Bill -- A line-by-line breakdown of what you're actually paying for.

Want to see exactly how much you'd save? Try the Tariff Arbitrage Calculator → to model Midday Saver vs A1 with your actual usage pattern, or analyze your current bill → to see where your money is really going.