Unexpected $700 electrical energy invoice warning for thousands and thousands of Aussies: ‘Price adjustments’

Aussies are being warned to brace for greater electrical energy payments forward of a scorching summer time. Australia has simply sweltered by means of the hottest August on record, with temperatures topping 40 levels in some elements of the nation.

Running your air-conditioner can add a major quantity to your electrical energy invoice, with Finder analysis discovering Aussies can count on to spend between $132 and $707 further to maintain cool this summer time. The precise price depends upon the place you reside, with Queenslanders and people within the Northern Territory set to be hit with the most important prices.

“Temperatures the last week have been pretty astonishing and if global temperatures for everyone else’s summers are anything to go by, we should brace ourselves for some sweltering heat,” Finder utilities skilled Mariam Gabaji informed Yahoo Finance.

“While a really hot summer won’t automatically increase the price that you’re charged for electricity unless your provider decides to increase the prices, what will happen is that it’s likely that your energy consumption will go up.”

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Money-saving skilled Joel Gibson stated energy value rises weren’t as excessive as final yr however Aussies nonetheless wanted to “be careful”.

“Cooling can make up 30 to 40 per cent of your summer power bill and it’s often the number 1 factor that makes summer bills the biggest of the year in the hotter states,” Gibson informed Yahoo Finance.

“Price changes this year are a mixed bag: I’ve seen some plans go down slightly, while others have gone up by $1,000 plus, so you really need to check what’s happening with your rates.

“We’ve just had the hottest August on record so some households will already be cranking the air con in early Spring, which is a big red flag for high power bills.”

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The common Aussie spent $385 on their quarterly electrical energy invoice in August, Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker discovered.

Are you being hit with rising payments? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com to share your story

Expert tricks to save

There are small adjustments Aussies could make round the home that may assist them save and keep away from invoice shock this summer time.

“If you do have an air conditioning, make sure that the filters are clean, so that they’re not working harder to cool your home,” Gabaji stated.

“Every extra degree lower will add 10 per cent to your running costs. So you know, instead of setting your temperature at 18 degrees, try to bump it up to say 21 or 22 degrees.”

Gibson was additionally a fan of this methodology and informed Aussies to watch out to not “over-cool” their properties.

“The number on the air con is a target temperature, not the temp of the air that comes out of the unit. So set it about 21 or 22 and let it go to work,” he stated.

“There’s no need to set it at 18 unless you’re losing cool air from the building somehow or it’s too small for the space. Every extra degree can add 10 per cent or $100 to your bill over the season.”

Both consultants beneficial insulating your private home as a lot as potential, with Gabaji suggesting conserving the blinds down and blackout curtains.

“Doorsnakes, window seals, rugs – anything that will keep the cool air in will save you money on your cooling bills,” Gibson stated.

Energy rebates nonetheless flowing by means of

The authorities’s $300 vitality invoice rebates will proceed to circulation by means of to Aussies, with the $75 funds paid over quarterly instalments.

Gabaji stated the rebate can be extra noticeable for smaller households, nonetheless, it may not make a lot of an influence for some.

“If your bill is on the much higher side, especially for a larger family, it will seem less noticeable,” she stated.

Gabaji beneficial Aussies evaluate their vitality plan to see if there have been higher offers on the market. This could be so simple as your final invoice.

“On the first page of your electricity bill providers tell you if you can save on a cheaper plan with them,” she stated

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