Fair Go: How to save $970 on your power bill

VICTORIAN families are scrambling to switch to cheaper electricity plans ahead of summer amid fears of horror bills. SWITCH: Join scores of Sunday Herald Sun readers who will enjoy no energy price rises for two years.

People who sign up could pay about $940 less for their energy over two years.

• Avoid energy price rises for two years — plus get a bonus 12-month Herald Sun digital subscription

• Call 1800 307 948 from Monday to switch to EnergyAustralia’s Secure Saver plan

HOUSEHOLDERS are scrambling to switch to cheaper electricity plans ahead of summer amid fears of horror bills.

Turning the air conditioner on will cost Victorians more than ever with prices skyrocketing between 10 and 20 per cent over the last year.

A typical family is now paying more than $400 dollars extra annually, with rates hikes showing no signs of stopping.

Price comparison website Mozo posted a 300 per cent increase in use of its services in recent months.

Fine print in contracts costing energy customers hundreds

Surging power prices push Victorian families towards brink of poverty

Victorians had been dealt the most severe increases in the nation. Picture: Thinkstock

Similar comparisons are offered elsewhere including through the State Government’s Victorian Energy Compare website.

Mozo director Kirsty Lamont said the huge spike in activity before summer was unusual.

“The start of summer isn’t peak time for people to be looking to change electricity services,’’ Ms Lamont said.

“I think this is really showing how hard Australian families are finding these rate increases.”

Victorians had been dealt the most severe increases in the nation but also had the largest opportunity to save.

“On average you can save around $900 dollars by switching from the state average to the best service available,’’ Ms Lamont said.

“This is the biggest difference of any state.

“Families should also be on the lookout for what discounts are best for them.

“A big energy using house should be looking for deals with usage discounts, while smaller energy consumption houses should be on the lookout for supply charge discounts”

The Australia Institute recently found Australian energy prices had increased 183 per cent over the past decade.

The figure was almost triple the rate of overall price increases for other goods.

Energy bills skyrocket for Victorian households

Fleur Johnson with her daughters Gabriella, 8, Charlotte, 12 and Matilda, 14. Picture: Sarah Matray

MUM”S WAR ON ENERGY WASTE

MOTHER of three Fleur Johnson is waging war on energy waste this summer.

“We will be paying an extra $400 for electricity this year so we’re really trying hard to reduce our energy use a much as we possibly can,” Ms Johnson said.

“We have rolling shutters on most the windows and we are installing double glazing on the others to make sure the house stays cool. “We installed better ceiling fans and are in the process of changing over all the light bulbs to energy efficient ones.”

Ms Johnson’s children — girls aged eight, 12 and 14 — also help save driven through a desire to help the environment.

“We even used to have a punishment and rewards system for the girls turning the lights off when they leave the room.”

Ms Johnson last week took her power saving to a new level, joining scores of Sunday Herald Sun readers who will enjoy no energy price rises for two years through EnergyAustralia’s new Secure Saver plan if they call from Monday, December 18.

Fleur Johnson with daughters Matilda, 14, Gabriella, 8, and Charlotte, 12. Picture: Sarah Matray

The deal — which includes a bonus Herald Sun+ digital subscription — provides fixed discounts for customers who pay on time, fixed energy usage rates and fixed daily supply charges.

People who sign up from Monday could pay about $940 less for their energy over two years.

“I called the service to switch the energy to the new house and they said they would review my deal,’’ Ms Johnson said.

“We are now on a service where we don’t have price increases for two years which will save us a fair bit.”

EnergyAustralia chief customer officer Kim Clarke said: “Energy prices have been rising by up to 20 per cent in some states. But there should always be things you can do and things that your retailer should do for you so you stay in control of your energy and save money.”

“Don’t get caught out by headline discounts — they can be misleading,’’ Ms Clarke said.

“And take care with comparator websites — they don’t always show all available products or providers and can be influenced by commissions.”

Changing light bulbs to LED globes could shrink $250 off a customer’s annual power bill and running the air conditioner a degree warmer saved about $50 over summer, Ms Clarke said.

Ms Johnson is already an air conditioner saver convert:

“We don’t go down to 18C — we keep it at 22C or 23C at the lowest and it’s got to be well into the 30Cs before we will put it on,’’ she said.

— To sign up to EnergyAustralia’s Secure Saver plan, phone [phone] from Monday, December 18.