1. Energy Basics Understand it, Control it and Save

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

3. Energy in Victoria

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

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

6. Energy in Victoria

7. Reading Bills

9. Kilowatts

10. 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

11. 1 hours = 2kWh 2 hours = 4kWh 3 hours = 6kWh 4 hours = ?? Kilowatts

12. 505 kWh per year Kilowatts

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

15. = $99.38 each year X

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

17. 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

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

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

20. 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

21. $ 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

22. 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

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

24. You can with

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

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

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

29. compare.switchon.vic.gov.au

30. 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

31. Flexible Pricing All appliances run at off-peak rates overnight

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

33. Concessions & Grants

34. Save $400 a year Concessions & Grants

35. -17.5% off electricity bills Annual Electricity Concession -17.5% off winter gas bills Winter Gas Concession (1 May to 31 October)

36. 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

37. Concessions & Grants Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521 The company that sends your bills

38. Check concessions are recorded on every bill

39. 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

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

41. Saving Energy

42. 70% of your bill comes from just three areas: Saving Energy

43. 159 days below 18 o C - Melbourne has more cold days than hot Saving Energy

44. 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

45. 35 days of 30 o C or above - Melbourne is also quite hot!

46. 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

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

48. 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

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

50. 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

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

52. 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

53. 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

54. 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

55. Smart Meters

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

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

58. Questions?