High Electricity Accounts?

Many customers receive electricity bills that are higher than usual. There are many factors that may cause this.

These include:

• Increased use of pool pumps.
• More frequent use of air conditioners because of the heat.
• Refrigerators and freezers working harder.

In addition to these factors, visitors often arrive to spend Christmas with their families and friends. More people means more showers, more clothes drying, possibly more air conditioning time and therefore more electricity used.

Also be sure to check the billing period for your electricity account. A normal billing period is 90 days, so if the billing period is longer than this, chances are your account will be larger than normal.

Some people believe the electricity meter is at fault. Meters used by Power and Water are built to Australian standard with an accuracy of better than plus or minus 1.5 percent. The meters operate reliably and accurately year after year.

We strongly recommend that you look carefully at consumption before contemplating paying to have your meter checked. If the meter is found to be faulty the charge will be refunded.

Tips to Save Money and Avoid High Power Bills

Air Conditioners

• Keep filters clean.
• Try to shade the part of the air conditioner outside the house.
• Ensure the air conditioner has good airflow outside the unit.
• Only set the temperature low enough for comfort – around 24° is good.

Refrigerators and Freezers

• Make sure the doors are properly closed.
• Ensure seals are in good condition.
• Minimise the time doors are held open.

Fans

• Keep the blades clean on both the top and the bottom. Dirty blades restrict airflow and create a drag effect.

Electric Hot Water Systems

• Try switching hot water systems off during the day. The water heats up quickly and stays warm for a long time. A family needs the booster on for approximately one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. Single people can get away with half an hour every morning. Experiment to determine what suits the individual best.
• Have a licensed electrician install a timer.
• Install a solar hot water system, with energy free from the sun this is a long term money saver.

Solar Hot Water Systems (Electric Booster)

• Only use your solar hot water booster when there is not enough sun to heat your water. This may only be a few times a year.
• Don’t forget to turn the booster off when the sun is out again.

Clothes Dryers

• These are heavy users of power, restrict their use.
• Keep the lint filter clean.

Pool Pumps

• Heavy users of electricity – have a licensed electrician install a timer.

For more information on how to save on power and water check our Green Guide.

COOLmob
Power and Water sponsor COOLmob to provide subsidised home energy audits and water audits. For more information about reducing energy and water consumption and to organise a $10 audit visit www.coolmob.org for Darwin or www.dkacoolmob.org for Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.