Does anyone know if electricity prices increasing are just in NSW or is it in all the states?
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Does anyone know if electricity prices increasing are just in NSW or is it in all the states?
I just got a bill for $600 YESTERDAY PLEASE DONT TELL ME THESE RORTERS are going to be taking more of our money?
Yep they already started going up....our was over $900 :o...for less than our $600 bill same time last year.
Our last bill was $600 too. I think it's going up again around July. I just saw the end of it on the news one day. It meant to go up between $600 - %900 (a year I think). If its only nsw I'm moving to Queensland.
:o Kim. What state are you in?
Its actually supposed to increase about $300 each quater. So about $1200 a year. & I'm pretty sure its Australia wide :(
Yowie, we're country NSW where it's gone up a bit more than average I think.....Trill knows more than me, hope she sees this.
Yowie, we're country NSW where it's gone up a bit more than average I think.....Trill knows more than me, hope she sees this.
I found this;
link to source: Electricity prices to rise by up to 64%:
Electricity prices to rise by up to 64%
March 18, 2010
Electricity bills in NSW will soar by up to 64 per cent over the next three years, with the blame laid squarely on the federal government's proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS).
The state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) confirmed the increases in Sydney on Thursday.
They are even higher than those first proposed by the tribunal in December.
They will send average electricity bills rocketing by between $577 and $918 a year by 2013.
They come on top of already significant increases last July.
The federal government's ETS, twice rejected by the Senate, is behind a big chunk of the latest increases, IPART says.
Rising network costs have also contributed.
IPART confirmed Energy Australia bills will rise 60 per cent, adding $754 to a typical household customer's bill by 2013.
Integral Energy and Country Energy bills will rise 46 per cent and 64 per cent respectively in the same period, adding $577 and $918 to typical customers' bills.
But all the increases will be lower if the ETS is scrapped, IPART says.
Over the three years to June 2013, if the ETS is not introduced, average prices will increase by a cumulative total of 20 per cent for Integral Energy, 36 per cent for EnergyAustralia, and 42 per cent for Country Energy, IPART says.
But whatever happens, average prices will increase by seven per cent from July this year for Integral Energy customers, 10 per cent for EnergyAustralia customers, and 13 per cent for Country Energy customers.
The increases will apply to everyone on standard tariffs - said to be about 67 per cent of NSW household customers.
IPART acting chairman and chief executive Jim Cox said the agency did not welcome the increases.
"IPART recognises that these price increases are large and will be felt by customers, particularly low-income households," he said in a statement.
"Further, they follow large price increases in July 2009.
"We do not welcome these price increases or the adverse effects that they will have for many electricity customers."
Meanwhile, in a sombre warning, IPART on Thursday recommended the state government extend the NSW energy rebate to all Commonwealth card holders and should consider further increasing the level of the NSW energy rebate for vulnerable persons.
IPART is also recommending further information disclosure requirements to help customers compare electricity market offer.
Earlier this week, NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman Clare Petre warned consumers were anxious about the impending electricity price rises.
She said complaints about energy companies to her agency had risen significantly, by up to 30 per cent, in the financial year to date.
IPART acting chairman and chief executive Jim Cox said the agency did not welcome the increases.
"IPART recognises that these price increases are large and will be felt by customers, particularly low-income households," he said in a statement.
"Further, they follow large price increases in July 2009.
"We do not welcome these price increases or the adverse effects that they will have for many electricity customers."
Meanwhile, in a sombre warning, IPART on Thursday recommended the state government extend the NSW energy rebate to all Commonwealth card holders and should consider further increasing the level of the NSW energy rebate for vulnerable persons.
IPART is also recommending further information disclosure requirements to help customers compare electricity market offer.
Earlier this week, NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman Clare Petre warned consumers were anxious about the impending electricity price rises.
She said complaints about energy companies to her agency had risen significantly, by up to 30 per cent, in the financial year to date.
I think its about time we all learnt to live the way our grandparents did without electricity! I'll be doing alot of stews over my fire this winter.
Is that 6 months mine was just over $200 for 2 months
Pretty sure it's going up everywhere. think it has to do with the ETS.
found this one about Queensland:
link to source: QCA release 2009/2010 electricity price rise:
QCA release 2009/2010 electricity price rise
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
09/06/2009
QCA release 2009/2010 electricity price rise
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson has today been advised by the independent Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) of their decision to increase electricity prices by 11.82% for the 2009/10 financial year.
Together with the QCA's remade decision on the 08/09 figure announced last week, the overall impact for consumers from 1 July 2009 will be an increase of 15.73%
"For consumers with an electricity bill of around $350 a quarter, they will pay an additional $55 on their bill, assuming the electricity used has remained the same," Mr Robertson said.
"This equates to an extra 60 cents per day.
"It brings me no joy what-so-ever to see these prices rise and I acknowledge these increases come at an unfortunate time for householders who may be facing financial hardship," Mr Robertson said.
"However these price rises reflect the true cost of delivering a reliable and robust energy network which is keeping up with increased demand.
"The QCA has found rising network costs which include transmission and distribution, and the increasing cost of energy generation, account for approximately 90 per cent of the total cost of supplying energy," Mr Robertson said.
Between 2010-2015, Queensland will have invested almost $9 billion on electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure to cope with increased demand.
"Despite the increasing cost of supplying electricity to consumers, Queenslanders continue to pay some of the lowest electricity prices in Australia.
"New South Wales announced price increases for 2009-10 of around 20%, Western Australia has increased prices by 15% with a further 10% from 1 July and the Northern Territory will have a price increase of around 18% next financial year," Mr Robertson said.
The new notified prices will come into effect for non-market contract consumers from 1 July 2009.
Our biggest problem is heating. We would freeze in winter without them. DD is already coughing at night because its getting chilly during the night.
Actually, I think energy prices should go up from where they were. We're getting our energy still from predominantly coal-burning electricity plants and it's not realistic to expect that it will continue to stay the same price at the expense of the environment and our natural resources.
Having said that, when our last bill was absolutely astronomical, I went onto EnergyAustralia's website to try to figure out peak/off-peak/shoulder times, so that I could be more careful about managing our use and couldn't find the info anywhere! How can I make sure that I'm running things like the washing machine and dishwasher when it's cheaper if they don't provide the information? I sent them a note to let them know as well.
I managed to find something hidden somewhere that listed the times as 7am-2pm for shoulder, 2pm-10pm for peak and 10pm-7am for off-peak. This way we can make sure our hot water is scheduled for off-peak, we throw the washing on first thing in the morning and the dishwasher as we're going to bed.
We also took out all of the non-energy efficient light bulbs we had and I've started turning off appliances at the powerpoint (or turning them off altogether). I think if I put all of the things I possibly can into practice then I'll reduce my energy bill to closer to what it was anyway and I'm using less power.
I also joined one of their GreenPower schemes, so a certain %age of your electricity comes from renewable sources.
This is why we prefer a wood fire & are lucky enough to have one. Not often they come up in a rental.:
My parents had 3 when we were kids, lol. (Sometimes 4!) One in the loungeroom, pot belly in the family room, pot belly in the shed & occasionally we would light up the combustion oven in the kitchen too. I loved it. (Not so great for the environment I spose... but nothing really is is it?)
I'm going to ask what the chances are of our landlord having solar hot water installed too, while the rebates are out there.
Funny you mention that Jenn. I have been using those times since someone mentioned it on here a couple of years ago...Jodi maybe?
BUT we have gas hot water and cooking, a very energy efficient house that is brand new so meets all the standards and we only use energy efficient bulbs... :dunno:
I kind of agree, but the way to get people to use greener energy sources is *not* to charge a premium for the green energy...the fossil fuel industries have been propped up by govvie money for decades whilst still making astronomical profits, I find it offensive that the consumer is now expected to foot the bill for the 'new' greener infrastructures...because that's what's essentially happening here.:
Actually, I think energy prices should go up from where they were. We're getting our energy still from predominantly coal-burning electricity plants and it's not realistic to expect that it will continue to stay the same price at the expense of the environment and our natural resources.
Also, apart from peak and offpeak (which only your hot water will be connected to) unless you have a smart meter, isn't the system is unable to determine when you are actually drawing from the grid?
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!