What is Spike
The way we produce and use energy has changed, putting more demand on the electricity grid during peak times. That’s why we have introduced Spike.
Spike is Origin’s energy-saving reward program. It’s all about having fun and helping the planet at the same time.
When you participate in Spike events, you can earn Watts. These earned Watts can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards from a range of retailers.
In addition, if you successfully beat your energy target for that SpikeHour, on top of earning Watts, you will score a spin on our awesome Prize Wheel as well as entry into our monthly Prize Draw.
Learn about the different types of Watts and how you earn them.
Who can join
Spike is available to Origin residential electricity customers with a smart (digital) meter that can be read remotely.
If you’re a customer in QLD with a basic meter, you may be able to request a smart meter upgrade so that you can take part in Spike. Learn more about the meter upgrade process.
You will be eligible to participate in Spike if:
You have an Origin residential electricity account
You have a smart (digital) electricity meter that can be read remotely
No one at your address is on life support or has any health conditions that could be impacted by your participation in Spike
You’re registered in Origin My Account.
You can view the full eligibility criteria in Spike’s terms and conditions.
How to opt in: SpikeHours and AutoSpikes
As a Spike member, you can choose to take part in two types of energy-saving events: SpikeHours and AutoSpikes.
SpikeHours
SpikeHours are organised when demand on the energy grid is high. You will be asked to save as much energy as possible for a one-hour period, in order to limit demand on the energy grid during that period. This will usually involve you manually switching off power-hungry appliances.
We will compare your energy use during a SpikeHour against your usual usage at that time. Specifically:
For SpikeHours on a weekday: we compare it to your usage over the last 10 weekdays
For SpikeHours on a weekend: we compare it to your usage over the last 4 weekends
If your energy use is less during a SpikeHour compared to your usual energy usage at that time, you’ll earn:
Watts as currency
A spin on our Prize Wheel
An entry into our monthly Prize Draw competition
How the SpikeHour works:
Step 1 | You'll receive an email or SMS to inform you about an upcoming SpikeHour. |
Step 2 | To participate in the SpikeHour, click or tap the link in the email or SMS before it starts. If you choose not to join, you don’t have to do anything and your streak will be paused until the next SpikeHour. You will be on a “streak” where there have been a series of successive SpikeHours during which you have used less energy than your targets. |
Step 3 | If you agree to participate in the SpikeHour, on the day of the event we will notify you of the event starting time. To earn as many Watts as possible, you should reduce your energy use by postponing power-hungry appliances, such as:
|
Step 4 | After the SpikeHour ends, we’ll send you an email to let you know how you much energy you saved and the number of Watts you earned.
|
You can take a break from hearing about SpikeHours at any time by turning off your notifications. Go to your Spike account > Tap the settings icon to enter Settings > Notifications.
AutoSpikes
Only members with Spike-connected smart devices (“Connected Devices”) can participate in an AutoSpike. During an AutoSpike, all Connected Devices are automatically switched off to reduce strain on the energy grid during this period. Most AutoSpikes will not exceed 2 hours.
How AutoSpikes works:
You’ll receive an SMS 15 minutes before an AutoSpike begins
You need to click on the link in the SMS to opt-in to AutoSpike within the 15 minutes of receiving the SMS
If you opt-in to an AutoSpike, your Connected Devices will be automatically switched off
After the AutoSpike ends, your Connected Devices will turn back on
You’ll earn Devices Watts for all Connected Devices that you keep turned off for the duration of the AutoSpike
If you use your Connected Device during the AutoSpike or the Connected Device was already turned off before the AutoSpike started, you will not earn any Device Watts
Connecting your device to Spike
At the moment, the only smart devices that can be connected to your Spike account are:
WiFi thermostats made by Sensibo
Smart plugs made by TP-LINK
How to connect your Sensibo Sky’s WiFi thermostat to Spike
Step 1 | Log in to Spike via My Account and click Devices from the bottom menu. |
Step 2 | Under Add accounts and Sensibo click Connect. |
Step 3 | Click the Connect button. |
Step 4 | Enter the email address and password you use for the Sensibo app and click Login. |
How to connect your TP-Link plug to Spike
Step 1 | Log in to Spike via My Account and click Devices from the bottom menu. |
Step 2 | Under Add accounts and Kasa (TP Link) click Connect. |
Step 3 | Enter the email address and password you use for the Kasa app and click Authorize. |
Upgrading your basic meter with Spike
To participate in Spike you need to have a smart (digital) meter. If you live in Queensland, it’s possible to request a free meter upgrade as part of the sign-up process for Spike.
There are several benefits in having a smart meter, including:
You can join Spike, Origin’s energy-saving program that offers you rewards and prizes for saving energy
Do away with estimated bills, as your meter will send us automatic reads
Say goodbye to meter readers visiting your property
Get an estimate of how much your bill is likely to be at the end of each billing cycle
Track your energy usages across different billing periods, such as monthly, or daily
To request a smart meter upgrade when you sign up to Spike, please follow these simple steps:
Step 1 | Begin the to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.sign up process |
Step 2 | Follow the prompts until you get to the meter upgrade form. |
Step 3 | Answer the questions and click Submit my request.
Important: If there's clear and safe access to your meter, you won't need to be there for the installation.
If there's anything which could block the technician from accessing the meter (like a locked gate, locked meter box or unrestrained pet), select No to Clear and safe access during the sign-up process. We will contact you to book a time for you to be available so the technician can inspect your home to determine meter accessibility. |
Step 4 | We'll process your request (it can take up to 30 business days). |
Step 5 | Once your request is processed, we'll be in touch to arrange the installation date and time, usually 4 days before installation. |
Step 6 | A technician will visit your property to install your new meter (your power will be turned off for 1-2 hours during this time). |
Watts
Watts are Spike currency and are calculated using data provided by your smart meter. For every watt of energy you save during a Spike event, you’ll earn Watts that can be used to:
Redeem as PayPal cash and gift cards
Purchase devices from the Spike store
For every 1kW of energy you save, you’ll be rewarded with 1000 Watts of currency to spend.
Three things make up the total amount of Watts you can earn:
Forecast | Before a SpikeHour we provide you with a “Forecast”, which is your target to beat during an event. For SpikeHours on a weekday, your target will be your average energy usage during the same time over the last 10 weekdays. For SpikeHours on a weekend, your target will be your average energy usage during the same time over the last 4 weekends. |
Device Watts | This is the amount of energy you can save from Connected Devices. To earn these Watts, your Connected Device need to be switched on before the event. When the event starts, we’ll automatically turn off the Connected Device so you don’t need to do anything. Easy! |
Surge Bonus Watts | When there’s extreme demand on the grid, we need reductions more than ever. Surge Bonuses reward you for doing your bit during these extreme events by multiplying your watt savings. You could earn up to 3x the usual amount. |
You can also earn Watts via our referral program.
How you can earn Watts during SpikeHour
Turn off what’s always on | Fridge and freezer: These always-on appliances account for up to 10% of home energy usage in some homes
Aircon and heating: They account for around 40% of home energy usage in most Aussie homes. Even ducted gas heaters usually have an electric fan.
Lights: Although not big energy users like aircon and heating, turning off light in well-lit houses can help
Electronics: TVs, entertainment systems, monitors and computers all add to the energy use total
There’s always the option to choose to turn off things like aircon and heating for just part of the SpikeHour. It all helps. Or, try turning the aircon up, or the heater down a few degrees. |
Delay using appliances until later | Many home appliances only run for a short amount of time, but when they’re on, they use a fair amount of energy.
Try waiting until the SpikeHour is over to use:
Washing machine and clothes dryer: These can account for up to 4% of home energy use
Kitchen appliances: Such as an electric oven or stove, dishwasher, kettle, toaster or microwave
Water pumps, fans or fountains: For the homes that have them. |
Earning with Thermostats | Your thermostat can be used to score Device Watts. To earn, make sure:
|
Earning with SmartPlugs | SmartPlugs are also a great way to earn Device Watts. To earn, make sure:
|
How to spend Watts
Watts can be used in a number of ways in the Rewards Marketplace:
Redeem for cash | Transform Watts into money you can use by cashing out with PayPal. You can redeem Watts for cash once every 30 days. For how to do this, check out our instructions further down the page.
Redeem Watts for PayPal cashFirst, you need a PayPal account in your name that you can connect to your Spike account.
Step 1 Log in to Spike through My Account
Step 2 Go to Settings, then click edit to go to your Account details
Step 3 Add PayPal address in the dialogue box and click Save
Don’t have a PayPal account? Find out how to sign up to PayPal as well as PayPal's terms and conditions.
Now you’re ready to redeem your Watts for PayPal cash:
Step 1 Log in to Spike through My Account
Step 2 From the home page menu, click Rewards
Step 3 Scroll to the bottom of the page to the Exchange for Cash heading and choose Exchange Watts
Step 4 Select the amount of Watts you wish to redeem
Step 5 The cash will be transferred to your PayPal account |
Redeem for gift cards | Transform Watts into gift cards from a range of retailers in the Rewards Marketplace. Gift cards are available in a range of set values, ranging from $5 to $50!
We’ll round your Watts down to the nearest available gift card value to make redemption nice and easy.
You can exchange Spike Watts for gift cards from:
Refer to the gift card providers terms and instructions regarding using their gift cards.
Redeem Watts for gift cards
Step 1 Log in to Spike through My Account
Step 2 From the Spike home page, click Rewards
Step 3 Scroll down to Gift cards and Promos
Step 4 Select the card you want
Step 5 Select the amount you want and click Redeem
Step 6 We’ll send you an email with the gift card code |
Purchase devices from the Rewards Marketplace | Get a new Smart Plug or Thermostat from our rewards store. You can purchase with your Watts or credit/debit card.
Step 1 Log in to Spike through My Account
Step 2 From the Spike home page, click Rewards
Step 3 Scroll down to Automate your home
Step 4 Select the device you wish to purchase
Step 5 Select Redeem to purchase with Watts
Step 6 Enter your Shipping address and Select Continue |
How to Spin the Prize Wheel
Every time you successfully complete a SpikeHour, you’ll score a spin to score a prize on the Prize Wheel. The wheel offers free smart devices, discounts in the Rewards Marketplace, cash, a referral bonus and even bonus entries into monthly prize draw competitions. Whenever you spin, you win!
Step 1 Log in to Spike through My Account
Step 2 From the Spike home page, click Rewards
Step 3 You’ll see the Prize Wheel. When you’ve successfully lowered your energy use in a SpikeHour, you’ll receive one spin. Click the button on the wheel to use your spin.
How to enter monthly Prize Draws
When you successfully beat a SpikeHour, you’ll automatically earn an entry into the prize draw occurring that month. So, if you were to beat four SpikeHours in a month, you’ll score four entries into that draw. Easy!
The winner of the monthly prize draw will be notified directly.
How Spike status levels work
There are four Spike status levels – Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. As you move up the status levels, you earn a greater discount in the Rewards Marketplace. Score!
Status | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond |
Discount | No discount | 10% | 15% | 30% |
How | You’re fully enrolled in Spike | You’re reducing your average energy use by 15% | You’re reducing your average energy use by 40% | You’re reducing your average energy use by 80% |
We calculate your status after your first 10 events then use a rolling 5 events to calculate your status after that, your status will get updated within 24 hours of your last SpikeHour result.
How we calculate solar customers’ status levels
Because of the way your meter works, we can’t tell the difference between the energy you save, and the energy you’re generating via your solar panels. This means, we can’t work out your energy reduction percentage the way we do for non-solar customers.
So, to work around it – we create a baseline of 2kWh for all solar customers.
Here’s an example:
We take a ten-day average of your gross meter data (which is a combination of your energy use and solar generation) to give you a number of Watts you can save. This becomes your forecast. Let’s say this is 1.5kWh.
We compare this to what your actual gross meter data was during an event. Let’s assume this is 0.5kWh.
So then we subtract your actual use (0.5kWh) from your forecast (1.5kWh) and then divide that by 2kWh.
We know this method isn’t perfect, but we believe it’s the fairest number we can choose for us to be able to reward solar customers with status discounts.