While government debates, local experts have some tips on how you can reduce your power bill
There are practical things FNQ residents can do now to lower power bills while opposite sides of government clash over energy pricing strategy for regional Queensland. FIND OUT HOW
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LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has called for Queensland’s regional energy grid to be opened to privatisation so that increased competition in energy distribution, transmission and retail has the chance to put downward pressure on the price of electricity.
On May 31, the Queensland Competition Authority, which determines electricity prices for residential and small business properties in regional Queensland, notified customers on main residential tariffs of a 9.2 to 21.6 per cent rise in electricity prices for 2022-23, set to apply from July 01, 2022.
Mr Entsch said FNQ residents “really don’t have much choice” over lowering their electricity bills apart from practical measures such as using lighting and appliances strictly on an as-needed basis.
“There’s not much else you can do, you’re a slave to the tariffs that’s coming from the monopoly created by the state government,” he said.
“Here in North Queensland we’re totally subservient to state government instrumentality: Ergon.
“They need to open it up to a bit more competition. That’s when serious changes will come.”
Mr Entsch’s comments came just days after the southern states were darkened by a supply shortage that saw the Australian Energy Market Operator temporarily suspend the National Energy Market in a historic move to guarantee energy supply.
Mr Entsch said privatisation of the regional Queensland grid is “vehemently opposed” by the Electrical Trades Union who have a “cast iron grip” on the state government and hamstring any attempt to introduce competition into the market.
“I suspect this government is totally subservient to the ETU,” he said.
“Any hint of privatisation of any of our networks and the ETU get out in force. I suspect none of the sitting state government members will take them on.”
Mr Entsch said he had not had an “in depth” conversation with state government MPs from Far North Queensland, such as Michael Healy, about this issue.
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the Queensland Productivity Commission looked at the LNP’s policy to introduce regional competition and found it would have the opposite effect to pulling prices down.
“It would actually add $400 to regional power bills or require subsidies that will increase taxes on Queensland households,” he said.
“Rather than wasting everyone’s time talking about measures that just don’t stack up, the LNP should adopt the ETU position and back our plan to drive down power prices by putting more renewables and storage into the energy system.”
“The Palaszczuk Government has already announced a $175 Cost of Living Rebate to come off Queenslanders’ power bills from July 1.”
The Queensland Competition Authority has pinned rising electricity tariffs on higher wholesale energy costs, which are influenced in part by record high levels of international and domestic coal and gas prices.
While these factors are out of consumer control, there are practical measures available to regional Queenslanders that can keep electricity bills from spiralling out of control.
Local lighting expert Gary Patmore said people should “certainly” consider switching to LED lighting if they wish to save up to 80 per cent of energy used by lighting on their property.
The owner of LighthouseCo Cairns has transitioned all of his products to LED lighting, a move that he said has kept his power bill down even as his product range expanded.
“Every light in your house can be switched to LED. The market is pushing everyone that way. It’s hard to get incandescent bulbs,” he said.
But even his adoption of the most efficient lighting products might not be enough to save him from electricity bill spikes this time. He said he fells “very concerned” by coming price hike.
“We would have to intermittently switch our lights on by sensors so they’re not on all the time.
“If we were still using incandescent lights, the bill would be far greater.”
TIPS TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY USAGE
Residents and small business owners can request their ageing electricity meter be replaced with a digital meter, which can provide a property owner information on electricity usage. Ergon has already connected almost a third of its regional customers with a digital meter.
Here are ten other top tips offered by Ergon on reducing electricity usage:
1. Select 25C setting on the air conditioner in summer. Even one degree cooler adds around 10 per cent to the amount of electricity an air conditioner uses.
2. Choose an air conditioner with a high energy star rating. Every extra star your air conditioner saves about 15 per cent in running costs. The same principal applies to fridges and freezers.
2. Fluorescent lighting saves more energy and lasts longer than standard lights.
3. Too much glass can make a property too hot in summer, so limit the number of windows on the east and west sides of your house.
4. Trees and shrubs can be used to block harsh and hot sunlight penetrating the east and west sides of your property during the summer months.
5. Create zones in your house by grouping rooms with similar uses together, which can lead to more efficient heating and cooling.
6. Leave space around your fridge-freezer to let air circulate and remove the hot air produced by the condenser. Leave about 20 per cent of space inside the fridge for air circulation and efficient cooling.
7. Set your hot water system thermostat to 60C and fix leaking taps quickly. A leaky hot water tap can cost an additional $100 per year.
8. Reducing shower time from eight minutes to four minutes can cut hot water costs by 50 per cent. Also, washing in cold water can save on costs as households use about one-third of their hot water in the laundry.
9. Switch off appliances and pull the plug out of the wall. Most appliances continue to draw energy even when not in use.
10. New parents, be prepared for babies to add dollars to your electricity bills. Make the most of your home design for your baby’s sleeping arrangements – south facing rooms are cooler – and consider adding new furnishings to your home such as blockout curtains to reduce the temperature even further.
The full list of energy saving tips is available on Ergon Energy Retail’s website.
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Originally published as While government debates, local experts have some tips on how you can reduce your power bill
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