Energy Basics Understand it, Control it and Save

In this workshop... Energy in Victoria Reading Bills Kilowatts 3 Ways to Save – Choosing a better energy offer – Concessions – Saving Energy Smart Meters

Energy in Victoria

Retailers Bills Getting connected Energy deals Moving house Concessions Problems or complaints Energy in Victoria

Distributors Power interruptions Emergencies Meter issues Special electricity supply needs (like a life support machine)

Energy in Victoria

Reading Bills

Kilowatts

1000 metres = 1 kilometre or 1km 1000 Watts = 1 kiloWatt or 1kW If you use 1kW for 1 hour it means you’ve used 1kWh of electricity

1 hours = 2kWh 2 hours = 4kWh 3 hours = 6kWh 4 hours = ?? Kilowatts

505 kWh per year Kilowatts

You can work out appliances costs If you know the rate you pay for electricity Kilowatts

= $99.38 each year X

1.Choosing a better energy offer 2.Concessions 3.Saving energy Three Ways to Save

You can save up to $600 - $800 on electricity $370 - $500 on gas by switching from the worst to the best offer – St Vincent de Paul Choosing a Better Energy Offer

Who is on a good energy offer? How do you know you’re on a good offer? Choosing a Better Energy Offer

Be careful with discounts A large discount may not lead to a good offer Choosing a Better Energy Offer

Super Saver - 30 % discount ($0.30/kWh + $1.10/day) Energy Plus - 10 % discount ($0.22/kWh + $1.20/day ) For example: Choosing a Better Energy Offer

$ per year Price after discount applied Price before discount applied 30% Super Saver 10% Energy Plus The offer with the big discount is still more expensive Choosing a Better Energy Offer

Super Saver - 30 % discount ($0.30/kWh + $1.10/day) Energy Plus - 10 % discount ($0.22/kWh + $1.20/day ) Choosing a Better Energy Offer Because it starts with higher rates

What if you could easily compare energy companies? $890 $900 $930 $980 $1000 $1030

You can with

independent up-to-date shows you all the generally available electricity and gas offers in Victoria

makes things easier by estimating the annual price of electricity and gas offers for your home

All you need is: A computer! Information from your energy bill Information about your house Choosing a Better Energy Offer

compare.switchon.vic.gov.au

Things to check  Will I be ‘locked in’ to the contract?  Will the price change?  How will I be billed?  How can I pay?  Is it a flexible pricing plan? Choosing a Better Energy Offer

Flexible Pricing All appliances run at off-peak rates overnight

1.Choosing a better energy deal 2.Concessions 3.Saving energy Three Ways to Save

Concessions & Grants

Save $400 a year Concessions & Grants

-17.5% off electricity bills Annual Electricity Concession -17.5% off winter gas bills Winter Gas Concession (1 May to 31 October)

Concessions & Grants Service to Property Charge Concession Controlled Load Electricity Concession Electricity Transfer Fee Waiver Non-Mains Energy Concession Medical Cooling Concession Life Support Concession Need to apply Automatic

Concessions & Grants Concessions Information Line on The company that sends your bills

Check concessions are recorded on every bill

Concessions & Grants Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) Provides up to $500 each for: Electricity Gas and water Ask the company that sends your bill about URGS

1.Choosing a better energy deal 2.Concessions 3.Saving energy Three Ways to Save

Saving Energy

70% of your bill comes from just three areas: Saving Energy

159 days below 18 o C - Melbourne has more cold days than hot Saving Energy

Heat your rooms to around 20 o C Seal draughts and cover windows Close doors to unused rooms Turn your heater off overnight or when going out Saving Energy

35 days of 30 o C or above - Melbourne is also quite hot!

Use a fan Shade windows on the outside of the glass Cool rooms to around 26 o C Turn air-conditioner off when going out Saving Energy

Hot water is one of the areas where most energy is used Saving Energy

Use a water saving shower head Try to keep your showers to around 5 minutes or less Wash your clothes in cold water Saving Energy

Fridges use about 18% of all electricity in the house Saving Energy

Keep fridge at 3 o C to 5 o C Keep freezer at -15 o C to -18 o C Move fridge away from the sun or heaters and keep ventilated Turn off second fridges or freezers when you don’t need them Saving Energy

One last thing… Turn off appliances when you are not using them Saving Energy

1.Is it cheaper to turn a heater off or leave it running while you’re out? – it is always cheaper to turn a heater off when leaving as you get charged for how long you use appliances 2. On a hot day, is it better to close your curtains or put some shading up outside? – it is much better to put shading up outside 3. Which is cheaper a fan or an air-conditioner? – a fan is about 20 to 40 times cheaper 4. Is it cheaper to wash clothes in warm or cold water? – washing clothes in cold water is much cheaper 5. What temperature is best to keep food fresh in a fridge? – between 3 o C and 5 o C Saving Energy Quiz

Energy Saving Quiz 6. How much energy does heating and cooling use in the average house? Is it 10%, 25%, or 40%? – 40% of the energy you use goes towards heating and cooling 7. What temperature is recommended for heating your home? – 20 o C or whatever is comfortable. Remember every 1 o C extra costs more! 8. What is best to do with 2 half full fridges? – fill one up fully and turn the other one off until you need it 9. How much water does a water saving shower head use? – one third to half a high flow shower head 10. Why seal draughts when the gaps are usually so small? – when added together the gaps are big and cause you to lose warm air that you’ve paid for

Smart Meters The basics... Record the amount of electricity you’ve used each half-hour Send this information to the distribution company automatically and wirelessly Owned by the distributor, not the household

Smart Meters

Energy Web portals Free Show how you use electricity Help to budget for bills Smart Meters

In home displays (IHDs) Show you how much electricity is used now Cost around $50 - $300 Smart Meters

Questions?