Efficient appliances allow people to save time when managing their household duties. Still, they require energy. Statistics show that in the average Australian household, most of the energy used (40 percent), was for heating and cooling. 23 percent of the energy used went toward water heating, and laundry appliance. And entertainment appliance use contributed to 14 percent of energy consumption. Australian households also use electricity for fridges and freezers, cooking, lighting, and standby power.
These are the factors that determine the cost of an electricity bill
The energy consumed in a household, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), can differ from one appliance to the next, and change in the future. An electricity bill can range between hundreds and thousands of dollars per year based on the energy a household uses. How much energy a house uses depends on the number of people residing in the home, how often they use appliances, the energy efficiency of the machines and the building, the type of home, and if the house uses gas, electricity, or both.
For example, a family of four may live in a standalone suburban house without an alternative energy source and use most of their energy for heating and cooling, hot water, and electronics and entertainment. This household may have a higher energy consumption compared to a couple living in a standalone suburban house with fewer appliances and uses for energy. Likewise, both of these households use more kWh compared to smaller-sized families living in city apartments. Among apartment dwellers, those with more appliances and higher energy consumption are more likely to have higher electricity bills.
There are ways to decrease energy consumption
Australians with a high electricity bill can learn more about their energy consumption by reading the breakdown of the units they used and the cost per unit of their city or region. An electricity meter can indicate a household’s monthly energy usage and help people understand how their energy usage changes based on seasonal consumption patterns. Depending on the appliance, there may be an energy monitor that helps homeowners track their energy use.
One way to decrease energy consumption and save money on the electricity bill is by mixing energy sources: natural gas or solar power use for heating and cooking can help reduce the electricity bill. CGS Solar Panels Sydney experts state that commonly solar panels pay for themselves in 5 years and after that become profitable. Other ways to decrease energy consumption include using LED light bulbs, a programmable thermostat, and solar panels if available. Keeping appliances unplugged when they aren’t in use can help save energy as well.
Homeowners who want to make changes should consider changing their electricity providers. There are various energy providers across Australia; residents in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Victoria have different options available based on their region.
Finding an energy company
The retail electricity market became more competitive after the deregulation of the electricity industry by the NSW Government and of retail electricity prices in South East Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Residents in Australia gained access to a broader selection of energy providers. Customers in NSW and South Queensland can get an electricity plan from suppliers including AGL, Momentum Energy, Origin Energy, Powerdirect, and Red Energy.
Homeowners in South Australia and Victoria can get an electricity plan through electricity suppliers AGL, Momentum Energy, Origin Energy, and Powerdirect, too, as well as Lumo. Residential customers searching for electric service in ACT can get their electric utility delivered through ActewAGL.
Customers can compare electricity providers with iSelect and use the expert information given to determine which of the top providers is the best provider for their needs. This process is efficient, as iSelect does the work of researching competitive electricity providers and the features of their plans for customers. Details to consider when making a selection include each energy provider’s peak and non-peak electric rates, supply charge, and green energy rating. After choosing the best option for a retail energy provider, residential customers should determine which plan they offer is the best plan for their household.
