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My bill splits my energy usage into peak, off-peak and shoulder. So I kinda assumed that it did matter? There are different charges for me under each section. So the rate for off peak is 7.4c, shoulder is 12.8c and peak is 32.4c.
The bill provides a breakdown of the amount of energy I used in each time slot over the period too. Given that the amount for peak is more than double off-peak, I'm pleased I figured out when to stop running some of my appliances!
Out of interest, Jennifer how old is your house and what does your meter look like? We've only got two of those ooooooold wheels that spin around - one for peak one for off peak (hot water only) and I have questioned the elec company over the phone about it in the past but the person I spoke too didn't seem to have much of a grip on the pricing structure.
I have no idea. :redface: Haven't even checked! The house would be 15-20 years old, I think. We are renting.
And our off-peak hot water is split out again, in addition to all those others I just listed. You'd think they could put on the bill what time slots they cover. I might suggest that if they email me back. :think:
Our september/october/november bill was $250 and our december/january/february bill was $150.
Two adults two kids, living on the central coast in nsw. No idea how we managed to get it so low, I even rang to make sure they didn't miss a zero off the end or something.
I'm split over the rise to be honest, I can see why I guess but I also look at the increase with everything else and incomes don't seem to be matching it at all. An extra $600-$900 each year is quite a bit of money to most people.
My last bill was actually less, way less than I was expecting, but I think thats more coz DH wasn't here, so the tv & pc weren't on all the time. Less showers, so less hot water etc.
Jennifer13 what company are you through? I'm with country energy & don't think I get all that extra info, but I'm going to find a bill & check now.
I'm with EnergyAustralia. The breakdown is on the back of the first page on my bill.
Hmm...maybe its the company then?
Ours went from $375 to $645 and then a massive $995... the last two bills were at the same house using our appliances pretty much the same.
I am stunned at the cost of electricity and it makes me wonder how the elderly and lower income families can afford to live with such a large chunk of money going on a necessity.
Well - an electricity bill update from me. Once I found out the peak/off-peak/shoulder times I switched over all of my use of the washing machine, pool pump, tumble dryer, and whatever else I could, to the shoulder/off-peak times. We got our first bill since doing this and we saved $230 off the previous bill!!!! The usage in the shoulder period was 3.5 times the usage in peak time, that's where we managed to save most of our cost. In fact, we used more off-peak energy as well than peak.
DP has pointed out to me that if we save this much every quarter it pays for our annual Easter holiday. :o And all I've done is change the timer on the pool pump, make sure the washing is put on in the morning or before we go to bed, and turn on the dishwasher and breadmaker as well when we go to bed, instead of during the evening, nothing dreadfully major. It's the first time I've been happy to open a bill!!
Interesting thread!
I tend to agree that most of us could do with learning to live a bit less electrically. Our bills usually peak around $300. We use gas for the water and cooking though... have a tiny TV and use the tumble dryer sparingly. We also have a fireplace and haven't turned on the central heating yet. Letting the body adapt to winter isn't such a bad thing either. It's not getting cold that makes you sick as much as making the body adjust to extremes in temperature... like stepping outside into a cold day after being inside an overly warm house. it's hard work for the body to adjust it's thermostat... gradual change is better... whiuch is why rugging up in a jumper is better for you than wearing a t-shirt inside a hot house in winter. Anyhow enough preaching! LOL
We have had a Smart Meter installed recently... looking forward to seeing if using electricity at different times has a significant effect. I usually put on the dishwasher at 10pm just before bed for instance.
It's harder to change the house when you rent, Bath. ;)
Unfortunately, we don't have gas here, but we do have a fireplace (which is getting well used - but then, it was last year too). I've just noticed we haven't been any more sparing, but switched the time we use things. That's all. We also have signed up to PureEnergy 25, which isn't much, but at least it's something. :D
I was reading the costs and starting to panic as my electricity bill is double, tripple some of what have been written here. But we do use electricity for everything. Our last bill nearly caused us hospitalisation as it was 4 figures!! ok..it just sneaked in.
So we noticed not only a price rise, but had to take into consideration that it was usually the most expensive quarter for us - lots of family birthdays, parties, xmas etc. Summer = air con on a lot. And also included me on holidays for 6 weeks, DH on holidays for 3 weeks and another week of MIL here for a week. Added into the fact that we have been doing renos around here and all the power they have been using to get things done during the peak times.
Hopefully this quarter will be a much better one for us.
We rent too and have changed it a fair bit ... it was only 1/2 insulated so we went out and bought some batts and finished the job off! That really helped keep the house warmer. Got the batts on special because the bags were ripped... only paid about $10 a bag for them. The owners paid $300 to have ducted system cleaned so we didn't mind paying for the batts... came in under $60. We also made thicker curtains than what was here.... but I know what you mean. Our owners are great though... give us great lea way to use the house as if it's our own. Let us use the fireplace... we dont' have to buy wood because there are so many huge trees here and our neighbours threw branches over into our yard too... love free heat... one night I cooked our entire meal in the fireplace! Foil wrapped spuds... damper... toast... and marshmallows for dessert! LOL would love a proper range though...
Violet Star - my bill last quarter was 4 figures too, just over $1K. This one is a much more manageable $800-ish. The quarter started in Feb, so still summer and air-con for us (and we do use our heaters as well in winter, not just the fire, so figure we are much of a muchness on that).
We don't have air con... probably a saving grace. I really hope people start to build different styled homes so that air con isn't so necessary. Our older style house has a deep front verandar, thick walls and high ceilings which makes it JUST bareable without air con. We survive with just a fan.
Ours was $1200 but up until a month ago we were running our business from home with 5 staff and all the computer equipment I am keeping my fingers crossed the next one us cheaper. We have solar panels now too so I am hoping to see a difference.
Black_rose that sounds pretty reasonable with a business running as well - I'm not exactly sure of what DP's business pays per quarter, but he has the same number of employees. I don't think my sanity or electricity bill would cope very well with them at home!