Shock over power bill increase

WARWICK resident Lara Hemmings said the shocking amount of her latest power bill was enough for her to ditch the health kick she was on and reach for chocolate.

Warwick resident Lara Hemmings was shocked by her latest power bill. Picture: Kerri Burns-Taylor

WARWICK resident Lara Hemmings said the shock of the amount of her latest power bill was enough for her to ditch the health kick she was on and reach for chocolate.

Miss Hemmings said her power bill had almost doubled since the last one and she couldn't understand why.

"I don't think it should be that much because we always turn everything off at the power point," she said.

"In summer we had the air-con going and it was less expensive than in winter."

Miss Hemmings said during winter she warmed her home with a wood heater and very rarely other heating.

The mother-of-one and her partner are preparing to move into their own home and said the soaring bill had added pressure to their plans.

"It's really stressful when I should be saving and putting my money into moving into our own home," she said.

Daily News readers yesterday took to our Facebook page to share their frustration at unusually high bills.

Todd Brown posted on Facebook that his power bill has more than doubled. "No more appliances, no more power usage. It is criminal. I wish my wages had gone up 100% in the last quarter," he said.

Kaleena Marriott said her bill made her consider trading her home for a tent. "The basic costs of living are getting beyond what the average income can afford," she said.

Ergon Energy corporate communications manager Rod Rehbein said apart from a standard 6.6% price hike applied from July 1, increased usage was the only reason people should have larger bills.

He said the differences in bill amounts could be more apparent this year because Queensland has seen a colder winter after a milder summer.

For tips on how to reduce your power bills visit www.ergon.com.au/your-home/save-on-your-bill.

Originally published as Shock over power bill increase