The short version
- Workshops use power when it's most expensive, and many are on demand tariffs.
- A 4-site smash repairer in Sydney's Inner West was paying an all-in 53.8c/kWh. The new plans bring that to 29.0c.
- That's an estimated $27,938 a year on electricity (46%), plus about $1,500 a year on gas.
Real result: an Inner West smash repairer, 4 sites
The business runs four adjoining workshops. All four were on the same retailer at very high rates. Two were on demand tariffs and two on time-of-use, and nobody had checked them in years. Within two days of getting the bills, we had each site priced on its own usage.
Electricity, site by site
| Site | Tariff | All-in rate before | All-in rate after | Saving a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site A (largest) | Demand | 51.1c/kWh | 29.4c/kWh | $9,569 (42%) |
| Site B | Time-of-use | 56.6c/kWh | 25.1c/kWh | $7,727 (56%) |
| Site C | Demand | 51.8c/kWh | 31.0c/kWh | $7,183 (40%) |
| Site D (smallest) | Time-of-use | 66.6c/kWh | 30.3c/kWh | $3,459 (55%) |
| Total | 53.8c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | $27,938 (46%) |
"All-in" means the whole bill divided by the kWh used, so it includes supply and demand charges and GST. Annual bills across the four sites drop from about $60,700 to $32,700, with no change to how the workshops use power.
Gas
The workshops' gas was with the same retailer. Re-pricing it across the usage blocks showed about $1,500-1,600 a year could be saved, either by changing plan or by moving to another retailer. The client chose to move.
What's next: solar
Workshops use most of their power in daylight, which makes them a strong fit for solar. We sized a system and battery for each site against the new rates, the conservative basis, and the best options came out at an estimated payback of about 4 to 6 years. The rates come first, so the solar numbers are based on what the business will actually pay.
Anonymised client. Savings are estimates from the client's bills, annualised and priced at the new plans. Individual results vary.
Where smash repairers overpay
1. Rates nobody has checked in years
Busy workshops pay the bill and move on. Rollover rates and price rises add up quietly. What to do when your contract is ending.
2. Demand charges
A spray booth, a compressor and a welder all starting at once can set your demand charge for the month. The right tariff, and the right retail plan on top of it, makes a big difference.
3. Peak rates on daytime work
Almost all workshop usage happens between 7am and 5pm. A cheap off-peak rate is worth little if you barely use any off-peak power.
4. Gas spray booths
Gas is a separate bill with its own pricing blocks. It's often forgotten when the electricity gets reviewed.
5. Several units, nobody watching all of them
Side-by-side units often end up on different tariffs and plans. We review each one and line them up.
Check your workshop's rate
Divide your last bill total by the kWh used. If it comes out well above 33c/kWh, you're probably overpaying. Try the rate checker, or just send us the bill.
General information only, current as at October 2026. Savings depend on your usage, location, tariff and contract, and past results do not guarantee future savings.
Common questions
Why are smash repair power bills so high?
Spray booth fans and heaters, air compressors, welders and hoists draw a lot of power during working hours, which are the most expensive periods. Many workshops are also on demand tariffs, where one busy moment can set a charge for the whole month.
Do you review gas as well?
Yes. Many spray booths run on gas. We compare gas plans step by step across the usage blocks, separately from electricity, and recommend whichever combination is cheapest.
We have several workshops or units. Can you handle them all?
Yes. Each site is reviewed on its own usage and tariff. Sites side by side often end up on different tariffs, and that's where some of the biggest savings come from.
Will switching interrupt the workshop?
No. The meter, wiring and supply stay the same. Only the retailer, plan and rates change.