the cost of living is going up...

raised by monkeys · 30-08-2011, 11:08 AM

G'day all,

Ive recently received an energy bill, and given its been winter, the extra use of the heater and clothes dryer than other times of the year, the cost of living as your all aware is soaring. Im currently with Origin, for both electricity and gas. I received a letter in late 2010 stating that the prices for origin would increase, and received another in July this year. Its rediculous.

For thos other south Aussies, have you noticed that with heavy rains etc. that SA water have not reduced the cost of water, even though we no longer need to preserve as we did through tough drought?

Which energy providers do you beleive offer the cheapest rates?

Any discussion or links to news articles is apprecieted.

mondo_broady · 30-08-2011, 11:16 AM

i was surprised my last energy bill was actually less than last year. granted we're a bit more conscious of how we use energy now, but it was a pleasant surprise as i was expecting a bit of a slug. i've swapped from intergral to origin in the meantime...

SB076 · 30-08-2011, 12:39 PM

I received my water bill the other day, increased from $170 odd dollars same time last year to around $250 - but I actually used less water.

I will have to do the old comparison for my gas and electricity and see if there are better rates out there

SpoolMan · 30-08-2011, 12:44 PM

I switched and my power bill has gone down.
http://www.energywatch.com.au/

mcnews · 30-08-2011, 12:48 PM

Wages have also been generally soaring, as has all the middle class welfare handouts that generally sees every family on 150k still receiving some sort of welfare. It's all relative...

But for sure, haggle with your provider to get on the lowest rate, try and put the high use items off peak like hot water system, pool pumps and the like. You can also generally negotiate an early payment discount also, my power bills come through with a 9% discount for early payment.

trippytaka · 30-08-2011, 12:54 PM

My usage was up 2% on this time last year, the energy bill itse;f was 35% higher.

Stazza_Brendan · 30-08-2011, 01:06 PM

At least some of you guys can chop and change energy providers for cheaper rates.. Up here stuck with 1 provider.

comagutsa · 31-08-2011, 12:41 AM

well our power bill is WA have gone up 57% in a year or so ...bloody unreal ..cost me $370 for my last bill

uranium_death · 31-08-2011, 01:27 AM

Living costs are almost always going up...
Petrol is up
Groceries are up
Bills are up
etc.

Shop smarter and you won't be slugged as heavily...

TheSneakiness · 31-08-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mondo_broady

i was surprised my last energy bill was actually less than last year. granted we're a bit more conscious of how we use energy now, but it was a pleasant surprise as i was expecting a bit of a slug. i've swapped from intergral to origin in the meantime...

You do know Origin and Integral merged about 6 months ago don't you? I've been with them since late 2008 and haven't had any real issues with them that couldn't be solved with a phone call.

We try to cut power by switching off appliances at the wall, etc etc, to the point where our stove and hot water is off when we're not home, and our quarterly bill is still about the same every quarter that we have been with Integral ($250 on average), so I would love to leave on the power points and see what usage is made.

Juts recently the RTA (Residential Tenancy Authority) has made a ruling that all new units/townhouses and houses the water charge must be paid by the tenant, and the older houses can be charged to the tenant by the owner if they so wish. So that's an extra charge we now have been slugged with. I'm hoping water is about $150 a quarter.

mondo_broady · 31-08-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

You do know Origin and Integral merged about 6 months ago don't you?

yeah, i signed over about 10 months ago, i think they officially took over Integral about 3 months ago. the deal i signed onto involved them giving me a discount equal to 1/12th my total bill for the year. they gave me $30 in the first bill (along with some spiel about not having to wait) and i've seen or heard nothing from them since. i was going to call and find out when they will credit the rest of it? my last bill was $900+ and my previous one was $600+. last winter with Integral i copped an $1100 and a $1200. this year we've not used the reverse cycle aircon for heating, relying on small radiators to keep warm. i'll never have another open plan multistory house again as all the heat just escapes upstairs...

burnz · 31-08-2011, 10:12 AM

i posted this some time ago, still waiting on this new bill..

Quote:

increase in price effective aug 5th

cents/KWH

current new
peak 40.04...44.11
shoulder 14.85...18.70
off peak 8.36...10.34
load1 8.36...9.02
load2 12.10...11.88
service charge per day (cents)
57.20...79.20

AGL is my provider..