SMART HOT WATER TRIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS (“Trial Offer Terms”)
Effective date 1 May 2025
Mercury (also referred to as us, our) is partnering with Rinnai NZ to test technology that allows us to heat your hot water during times when electricity demand is less (“Trial”). Rinnai NZ will install a smart device onto your hot water cylinder to manage your hot water heating. The goal is to understand how we might be able to reduce demand on the national grid. Apply to join our upcoming trial and help shape the future of hot water energy efficiency with Mercury.
Lots of words, we know! But here’s everything you need to know about the Trial. Grab a cup of tea and have a read!
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Trial will commence in May 2025, ending no later than 31 October 2025 (Trial Period).
2. PRECEDENCE OF TERMS
2.1 These Trial Offer Terms are in addition to the following terms which also apply: (a) Mercury’s General Residential Terms; (b) Mercury Electricity and Piped Gas Terms; (c) Mercury’s Privacy Policy; (e) Mercury’s Smart Hot Water Trial Privacy Notice. To the extent of any inconsistency, these Trial Offer Terms will take precedence and apply. Please see our website for full details of our Terms.
3. ELIGIBILITY
3.2 This Trial is available for up to 60 Mercury customers who; (a) are Mercury residential electricity customers at 1 May; (b) have an internal electric single element Hot Water Cylinder less than 10 years old; (c) do not have a wet back, dual element cylinder, hot water heat pump or solar (DC elements and thermal) (d) have a smart meter at their premises; (e) have access to 4G communications; (f) intend to remain a Mercury electricity customer at the same property for the duration of the Trial Period; (g) own their home or have permission from their landlord for the installation of a smart device to their hot water cylinder; and (h) agree to provide feedback on their experience through up to 5 surveys and possibly an interview.
3.3 Customers who meet the above criteria must register their interest to be eligible to participate and Mercury will select participants at its sole discretion. Spaces on the trial are limited and registration will close once full. You must continue to meet the eligibility criteria at all times during the trial to continue to participate. If your eligibility changes during the Trial, we reserve the right to remove you from the Trial. If you are accepted to take part in the Trial, by agreeing to participate you agree to be bound by these Trial Terms.
4. THE TRIAL PROCESS
4.1 Rinnai NZ will: (a) install a smart device on your hot water cylinder, free of charge, using a Rinnai NZ nominated professional, including wrapping of pipework in and out of your cylinder (if required); and (b) remove the smart device, free of charge, following the end of the Trial Period, or earlier if you decide to leave the Trial during the Trial Period. 4.2 a) The smart device and installation Rinnai NZ will contact you by your preferred method of communication and confirm an installation date and time with you. b) The installation of the device will take place between May and June 2025. c) At this appointment Rinnai NZ will install the device onto your hot water cylinder and will optimise the tank at the same time if required. This will take up to an hour. d) Installation of the device may require the device to be attached to the wall or nearby framing using screws. e) For removal of the device, Rinnai NZ will contact you again and confirm a removal date and time with you. This appointment will take up to an hour. f) Rinnai NZ’s technicians will need access to your property and hot water cylinder. g) There's no cost to you for installation, maintenance of the device during that trial, or removal. h) Rinnai NZ will be responsible for any damage caused during installation or operation of the device. i) The device remains Rinnai NZ’s property and you agree not to touch or tamper with the device during the Trial Period.
4.3 DATA COLLECTION AND USAGE
a) Mercury will share your contact details (Name, address, phone number and email, ICP (your ICP - Installation Control Point - is a unique 15-digit number that identifies a specific connection point on the electricity network), and other information you provide during sign up and as part of in-trial surveys) with Rinnai NZ for the purpose of this Trial. Rinnai NZ will handle your information in accordance with its Privacy Policy. b) The smart device will collect data about your hot water usage patterns, energy consumption, and water temperature (“Trial Data”). c) Rinnai NZ will collect this Trial Data and share it with Mercury. d) Mercury and Rinnai NZ will use the Trial Data to: - Troubleshoot any in-trial issues; - Optimise when your water heats up; - Understand the impacts of optimizing the hot water heating; and - Research and develop better energy solutions. e) Your personal information will be handled in accordance with this Policy, our Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws. You can request access to your data at any time.
4.4 CONTROL OF YOUR HOT WATER HEATING
a) The smart device will provide us with remote control access to your hot water cylinder to remotely manage when it heats water. b) You should not notice any difference to the availability of hot water during the trial. If you do, let us know at smarthotwatertrial@mercury.co.nz so we can adjust your hot water management regime.
c) 5. YOUR OBLIGATIONS
5.1 You: (a) agree to comply with these Trial Offer Terms; (b) agree to us monitoring, controlling and managing when your hot water cylinder is heating water during the Trial Period for the purpose of the Trial; (c) agree to Rinnai NZ (or their accredited representative), installing and removing the smart device before the start and after the end of the Trial; (h) must let us know if you or someone at your premises is medically dependent on power; (i) must not and must ensure that no person tampers or is permitted to tamper with the smart device, or override our or Rinnai NZ’s instructions to you in relation to the smart device; (j) must pay all your energy charges during the Trial Period; (k) notify us as soon as possible of any issues that arise with your hot water; (l) notify us if your circumstances change in a way that mean you are no longer eligible; and (m) agree that communications about the Trial will be by email or SMS.
6. HOT WATER TRIAL PARTICIPATION CREDITS
6.1 In exchange for meeting your obligations during the Trial in accordance with these Trial Offer Terms, we will provide you with an account credit of $250. $100 once the smart device is installed , and the additional $150 provided you are still part of the Trial at completion of the Trial Period, payable after removal of the smart device. 6.2 Credits will be applied on the first or second bill following satisfaction of the requirements set out above. 6.3 We reserve the right to not apply credits if any of the Trial Offer Terms have been breached.
8. LEAVING THE TRIAL EARLY
8.1 We understand that your circumstances may change. If you need to leave the trial at any point, please email smarthotwatertrial@mercury.co.nz as soon as possible.
9. END OF TRIAL
9.1 At the end of the Trial Period, Rinnai NZ (or their accredited representative), will contact you to arrange the removal of the smart device.
10. CHANGES AND TERMINATION
10.1 We reserve the right to: (a) vary the Trial Period, in which case, we will provide you with as much notice as possible; (b) vary these Offers terms and conditions at any time during the Trial. We will provide you with notice of such changes. 10.2 We may extend the duration of the Trial at any time. Should we elect to do so, we will notify you of this in advance, and obtain your consent prior to extending your participation. 10.3 We may end your participation in the Trial if: (a) You breach any of these terms and conditions; or (b) We decide to end the Trial early, in which case we will provide you reasonable notice.
11. LIABILITY
11.1 Subject to clause 11.2 below, our liability to you is set out in clause 17 of Mercury’s General Terms and Conditions for Residential Customers. 11.2 Mercury is not liable to you for any loss or damage you may suffer (including any damage to property) due to an act or omission of, or due to the negligence of Rinnai NZ or any other third party, including any loss or damage arising from installation of or use of the smart device.
12. MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to know more about this Trial, please contact smarthotwatertrial@mercury.co.nz.