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NewsHere’s how to keep summer power bills down despite the heatwave
Here’s how to keep summer power bills down despite the heatwave

Here’s how to keep summer power bills down despite the heatwave

Tags: Energy Information
Last updated by Kayley Harris on

Sydney and Melbourne sweltered through a couple of very hot days earlier this week with the mercury reaching a staggering 57.6 on the edge of the SCG pitch on the 4th day of the Ashes test. 

Despite talk of maintaining a reliable grid, power was lost to homes in Newport, Bilgola Plateau, Bilgola Beach and Lane Cover/Hunters Hill area in NSW.

Thousands of homes in Victoria were left without power as well with reports of roads melting in some regional areas.

If you had air-conditioning AND power during the heatwave you should consider yourself lucky… until the power bill comes in.

Our top tip for avoiding big summer power bills? Make sure you’re on a big discount:

Over Christmas I had a carpet cleaning business come to clean my carpets. It was a very hot day and I had the air-conditioner on. The serviceman actually thanked me for having it on as he sweated while cleaning my floors.

He told me I was the fourth customer for the day and the other 3, while they had air-conditioning installed, did not have it turned on. When he asked them why, they all responded that they couldn’t afford it.

While this is a very small sample, I suspect it’s being replicated across the Eastern Seaboard.

Australians deserve better in 2018.

In 2017 the Federal Government intervened directly by summoning power companies to Canberra on several occasions for a “please explain”.

I still don’t understand why a country like Australia with an abundance of both clean and traditional energy resources has some of the highest power prices in the world!

I’m sure coal will eventually be phased out in favour of renewables but the immediate focus for state and federal governments needs to be the cost of energy to the average household.

When families are questioning whether they can afford to turn even ceiling fans on during one of the hottest days in 80 years, we clearly have a problem.

So how much energy does your air conditioner use? According to Origin Energy, a small ducted 12kWh air conditioner used for seven hours per day costs the following in each Australian state where electricity switching is possible:

  • New South Wales: $209 per quarter.
  • Victoria: $234 per quarter.
  • South East Queensland: $409 per quarter.
  • South Australia: $510 per quarter.

Here are some other smart ways to keep your summer bill down

  • Set thermostat to the right temperature: Always set your air conditioner to 25 degrees Celsius in summer. Only dial it lower if you need to.
  • Use a fan: A cheaper alternative that only costs two cents per hour to run and cools the temperature by two to three degrees. A fan can also move with you around the house.
  • Turn off your appliances and electronics:  Don’t mistake ‘turned off’ for ‘unplugged’. ‘Vampire’ appliances are anything with a clock or light that’s on when the item is turned off. Also, any kind of plugged-in charger can be a vampire appliance – whether or not it’s charging anything.
  • Switch, switch, switch! Too many of us stay with the same provider when another one is selling the same electricity for hundreds of dollars less.

Click here to see the Club’s current offers for members

Click here to see Mozo’s top recommendations for summer power plans

 

Originally posted on .

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Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT commented:

As to keeping cool without air conditioning, wet a large scarf or towel and wrap it around your shoulders. 

Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT commented:

We have become very soft, haven't we! During my early days in Australia from a much cooler Austria (I arrived in 1969), we didn't have air conditioning no matter how hot it was. We lived at a mining site in central NSW where the wind coming in from the desert was so hot that breathing became difficult and when driving in the non-airconditioned car, we stuck to the vinyl car seats. In January 1973 - I was pregnant at the time - we had 30 continuous days with temperatures of 116 F (46.66 C) with no relief at night. In the late 80s/early 90s I lived in Perth, still without air-conditioning, in fact, I have not had air conditioning until moving into my current house 7 years ago. I am sure there are plenty of FiftyUp members who have similar tales. 

margaret
margaret from NSW replied to Gertraud:

Yep, grew up in Koorawatha and Cowra. Also remember tin roof and fuel stove. How well I remember the joy when Mothers Christmas present was an electric fry pan. To day we would not consider that a suitable present but to in those days it was not only a miracle but a very, very expensive miracle at that. Then there was wash day Monday with a wood fueled copper, the old mangle and a Grandmother who told my mother how lucky she was "because in her day...." Now I try to avoid "In.my day young lady".....accepting that things change and often improve with each generation, always have, always will, although the speed of change accelerates 

margaret
margaret from NSW commented:

Yes fans can help however 2 or 3 degrees cooler, when the temperature is around 40 is not much help although they can be used early morning and late evening. The $1 50 spray bottles used by florists are really helpful. I have a couple and even have one in my shopping trolley and use them constantly. That moist atmosphere is VERY good for the skin,. Yes very,very good for the face and having used them for decades my face is proof of its success. Great skin, unfortunately the rest of me is a nightmare. 

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