KEEP COSTS DOWN AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPS
With winter approaching, Energy Ombudsman Barry Adams warns Queenslanders to not let a high energy bill raise their temperature as the cooler weather sets in.
“It’s important to keep warm, but keep costs down as the temperature drops,” Mr Adams said.
"The cooler months usually place a greater demand on electricity usage and, in turn, an increase in the amount owed on energy bills.”
“It’s important to keep warm, but keep costs down as the temperature drops,” Mr Adams said.
"The cooler months usually place a greater demand on electricity usage and, in turn, an increase in the amount owed on energy bills.”
Mr Adams said that many people had contacted the Energy Ombudsman Queensland (EOQ) due to difficulties paying a high energy bill, especially after a cold winter or hot summer.
“Apart from the obvious increase in the usage of heating appliances such as reverse cycle heaters and electric blankets, there are many other demands placed on energy appliances in winter,” he said.
“Due to less daylight hours throughout the cooler months and more time spent indoors, lighting appliances and clothes dryers are also used for longer periods of time.
“The cooler mornings and nights also create an increase in the amount of hot water used to shower and bathe.”
Mr Adams said that many people tended to under estimate their energy usage and were unaware of the amount of energy their home and heating appliances actually used.
“If you use one family-sized, reverse cycle heater from 6pm to 11pm every night for a three month period it will cost approximately $120,” he said.
“Another $30 will also be added to your energy bill if you use one five kilogram clothes dryer for three hours per week over a three month period.
“When you add this extra $150 to your average energy bill, the increase can be quite significant.”
Mr Adams said that it was also important that people chose appliances with high energy efficiency ratings and understood how much energy some new technologies actually consumed.
“Due to changes in technology and increases in screen size, LCD and plasma televisions consume more power than the traditional cathode ray tube televisions,” Mr Adams said.
Mr Adams also stressed the importance of turning appliances off at the wall.
“Household appliances use significant amounts of electricity in stand-by mode (when the appliance is not in use but is still turned on at the wall). So if you’re not using it, turn it off at the wall where practical,” he said.
Mr Adams said that if people were having trouble paying their energy bill, they should contact their energy retailer immediately to find out what assistance they could provide to avoid disconnection.
If a consumer cannot agree with their energy supplier on the way to manage their financial hardship, they can contact EOQ for assistance on freecall 1800 662 837 or visit www.eoq.com.au.
The Department of Mines and Energy has developed an online energy calculator to help consumers estimate the costs of their household electricity use and to find out ways to save money on energy bills. The energy calculator can be accessed through EOQ’s website at www.eoq.com.au.
“Apart from the obvious increase in the usage of heating appliances such as reverse cycle heaters and electric blankets, there are many other demands placed on energy appliances in winter,” he said.
“Due to less daylight hours throughout the cooler months and more time spent indoors, lighting appliances and clothes dryers are also used for longer periods of time.
“The cooler mornings and nights also create an increase in the amount of hot water used to shower and bathe.”
Mr Adams said that many people tended to under estimate their energy usage and were unaware of the amount of energy their home and heating appliances actually used.
“If you use one family-sized, reverse cycle heater from 6pm to 11pm every night for a three month period it will cost approximately $120,” he said.
“Another $30 will also be added to your energy bill if you use one five kilogram clothes dryer for three hours per week over a three month period.
“When you add this extra $150 to your average energy bill, the increase can be quite significant.”
Mr Adams said that it was also important that people chose appliances with high energy efficiency ratings and understood how much energy some new technologies actually consumed.
“Due to changes in technology and increases in screen size, LCD and plasma televisions consume more power than the traditional cathode ray tube televisions,” Mr Adams said.
Mr Adams also stressed the importance of turning appliances off at the wall.
“Household appliances use significant amounts of electricity in stand-by mode (when the appliance is not in use but is still turned on at the wall). So if you’re not using it, turn it off at the wall where practical,” he said.
Mr Adams said that if people were having trouble paying their energy bill, they should contact their energy retailer immediately to find out what assistance they could provide to avoid disconnection.
If a consumer cannot agree with their energy supplier on the way to manage their financial hardship, they can contact EOQ for assistance on freecall 1800 662 837 or visit www.eoq.com.au.
The Department of Mines and Energy has developed an online energy calculator to help consumers estimate the costs of their household electricity use and to find out ways to save money on energy bills. The energy calculator can be accessed through EOQ’s website at www.eoq.com.au.
