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ABC News
16 hours ago
- Climate
- ABC News
What's the most cost-effective way to heat your home this winter? Here are some simple tips
As Australia's east coast braces for chilly nights this weekend, that means many of us will be cranking up the heaters and bracing for an eye-watering power bill. A rise in power prices from July 1 for people in three states also doesn't make things easier. But there are ways to keep your electricity bill down during winter — while staying warm. Here are some tips recommended by ABC readers. Be smart with your thermostat No, this doesn't mean setting your air conditioner to 28 degrees Celsius. You want to avoid the temptation to heat a room any more than you need to, or you'll end up hurting your hip pockets. Energy Australia recommends setting your temperature between the sweet spot of 18-20C in winter. Every extra degree increases your heating energy use by up to 10 per cent. And don't forget to only heat the rooms you are actually using and shut the doors to the others. This concentrates the heat where you need it most. Don't have a heater? That's okay! There are still some easy, low-cost changes you can implement to keep warm. Here is what experts and some ABC readers suggest, based on their own experiences. It may seem obvious, but wrapping up in fluffy sweaters and thick socks can be an easy way to stay comfortable. Jackie from the Central Coast in NSW swears by the 3B's: Beanie, Blanket and Bed socks. "I managed to get through last winter without using any powered heating," she says. "I've lived in a cold area for years and found that dressing properly works really well. "I wear thermal clothing when necessary, put a dressing gown on and always wear socks or slippers." Michael from Canberra uses one particular mantra when winter comes: "There's no such thing as cold weather, just poor clothing choices." Blankets After you have layered on the appropriate clothing, the next step would be to cosy up with some blankets. This could include your standard blanket, but also an electric one or a heated throw. Energy Australia says: "On average, electric blankets cost about four cents an hour, compared to some space heaters which can cost around 15 cents an hour." Lee from South Australia says her heated throw blankets are "lovely and warm", and for under $100 each, "a very good investment". Thermal curtains Up to 40 per cent of heating can be lost through windows. So the key here is to lock the warmth in. Let in the free heat by opening curtains and blinds on sunny days. As the Sun starts to dip, close them up to help reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. Essentially, you want to trap the cold air behind the curtain. For this to be as effective as possible, you will want to invest in quality thermal curtains and blinds such as honeycomb blinds. But if you do not have thermal curtains, that's OK. You can still take advantage of the winter sunshine by opening and closing them at the right time. Reverse ceiling fans Did you know that reversing your ceiling fans can make a room feel warmer in winter? That is because warm air rises, and you want to get the warmer air back down to floor level where the people are. A fan spinning clockwise on reverse or 'winter mode' will push down warm air that has drifted upwards. This redistribution of warm air can dramatically change the overall ambient temperature of a room and make it a few degrees warmer than it otherwise would be. You can check your remote control for a reverse function button. If you don't have a remote control, most fans have a switch on the side of their motor labelled forward/reverse or summer/winter. Just flick the switch to change the rotation. Adjust hot water system temperature Water heaters account for around 29 per cent of the average household's energy use. You can cut down on the energy your hot water system uses by adjusting the temperature. If you've got a storage hot water system, you want to set the temperature to 60C, according to Green Building Council Australia. That is because you need it to be at least 60C to stop the growth of Legionella bacteria, but any higher than that means energy is being used unnecessarily. A continuous flow, or instantaneous system does not need to be set as high as it does not store the water, so it should be no higher than 50C. Michael from the Northern Rivers region of NSW, who has solar panels, turns his hot water off at the meter box overnight and back on in the morning. "All my water heating is essentially done by the Sun's rays," he says. "I have learnt that I only need to heat water every second day over winter, whereas in summer I only heat my water once or twice a week." Also consider insulating the exposed pipes running from the hot water system and your hot water storage tank if you have one. If you are heading on holiday over the winter period, turn the hot water system off. But when you return, you will need to ensure that the water is heated and stored above 60C before use. This could take several hours. Draught proof cracks and gaps Sealing unintended openings in your home can save you up to 25 per cent on your heating bills. And this is one of the cheapest options to implement. During COVID, Carina Turner made several "door sausages" to stop drafts coming into her Victorian home. She places them up against all the doors, ensuring they sit snugly against the gap between the door and floor. To find out if you have any gaps or cracks, feel for moving air, visible light and/or whistling wind in the following areas: Windows and skylights Windows and skylights Floorboards Floorboards Walls Walls Doors Doors Appliances that connect to walls Appliances that connect to walls Unused fireplaces One easy way to check for drafts in your home is to light an incense stick or candle and look for the flutter that indicates there is air movement. Even if you have seals around your windows, remember that these can degrade over time. So regularly inspect them to make sure they are in good condition. Window sealing kits are also available from your local hardware store. Unplug vampire appliances Generally, most electronic appliances — think TVs, computers and gaming consoles — tend to enter a stand-by mode rather than fully powering down. So while you are asleep or away from home, they are working behind the scenes, sucking your electricity and cash. According to Canstar Blue estimates, appliances on stand-by mode could cost you up to 10 per cent of your electricity bill. That's more than $100 annually. Use your local council's energy efficiency kits Many councils and libraries across Australia offer energy efficiency kits that residents can borrow for free to identify areas of energy waste and take steps to reduce their consumption and lower their bills. These kits typically include tools like: Thermal cameras to help you locate draughts and gaps in insulation Thermal cameras to help you locate draughts and gaps in insulation Plug-in energy monitors for measuring energy consumption and the running costs of appliances Plug-in energy monitors for measuring energy consumption and the running costs of appliances Water flow measuring cups to determine the water flow rate of your taps Water flow measuring cups to determine the water flow rate of your taps Thermometer for measuring the temperature of rooms, fridges and freezers Upgrades on the pricier side If you are looking for longer-term investments, here are a couple of home upgrades you could do. Insulation Let's start off with the savings you could make from installing insulation: Ceiling: 45 per cent or more on heating costs 45 per cent or more on heating costs Walls: up to 25 per cent up to 25 per cent Floors: 20 per cent CSIRO senior experimental scientist Michael Ambrose says insulation, particularly ceiling, provides "excellent bang for buck". But expect to pay between $1,800 to $2,800. Try and heat the person first — think socks, dressing gowns and jumpers. ( Freepik: pvproductions ) Double-glazed windows According to the Victorian government, double-glazed windows retain up to 30 per cent more heat and conditioned air than single-glazed windows. That is because the gap between the two panes of glass acts as a barrier, slowing down the transfer of heat. It can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500 per square metre. If this is out of your budget, there are some other options to consider. This includes thermal film or secondary double glazing that you can attach to existing window fittings. One ABC reader, Eric, has done exactly this, using perspex and magnetic tape to double glaze the front of his unit, which he says cost him $1,500. Try switching providers Don't assume your current energy provider is offering you the best deal available. Give them a call to find out what they will offer to keep you as a customer, and then ring up some competitors to compare the prices. One ABC reader says every time they receive a utilities bill, they upload it to one of the comparison websites to see if there is a cheaper alternative. "Often I find that there is [a cheaper alternative], and occasionally it's even from the same provider I'm currently with," they said. "In the past, I've called up my energy or gas provider and asked for a discount, and while this can sometimes be successful, it's often much more hassle than simply connecting to a new company. "I imagine I have saved hundreds." When it comes to insulation, it's important to ensure coverage in ceilings, walls and under floor. ( ABC News: Alex Lim ) Last December, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found as many as four in five households could be paying less for electricity by shopping around. The report showed customers on flat rate market offers that are two or more years old experience average annual prices $317 higher than those on new offers. One ABC reader who has switched to save on their power bill is Chris O'Neill from Victoria. Last year, he signed up to OVO's Free 3 plan which gives customers three hours of free electricity every day during the peak solar times between 11am-2pm. During that period, he switches on four heaters that use 6 kilowatt total, an oven that uses 2kW and the water heater that uses 2.4kW. Switching electricity providers is one of the easiest ways to save money. ( AAP: David Mariuz ) That is a total of 10.4kW an hour, or 31.2 kWh per day of free heating. "I get OVO to charge me $97 per month which is close to what we use but my credit keeps building up when the government puts a credit on my account," Mr O'Neill says. "My average bill from May to October inclusive in 2023 with Powershop/Nectr energy was $139, so just on electricity alone OVO has saved about $42 per month or $248 in six months." Other ABC users also spoke about using the three-hour deal. If you are looking to compare suppliers, this government website can help you find which has the best rate. If you live in Victoria, visit Victorian Energy Compare.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Major energy providers confirm price hikes up to 13.5 per cent
Three of Australia's largest energy retailers have confirmed price hikes that could cost families between $31 and $261 per year. The three retailers, Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia, supply more than 60 per cent of the Australian electricity market and will lift prices between July 1 and September 1, 2025. The announcement follows a decision by regulators in May to increase the default price offers that seek to stop gouging through setting benchmark prices. Prices vary between different states and retailers, and so does when the increases occur. Origin and AGL lift prices on July 1 in NSW, Qld and SA. Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia increase prices on August 1 in Vic, ACT and NSW. Energy Australia will increase prices in Qld and SA on September 1. Canstar Blue data insights director Sally Tindall said the increases were not what most hoped for and would not be limited to the three major providers. "For the average household, they're looking at price hikes of between $31 and $261 a year, however, for bigger families, they could well be looking at hikes that are double this," Ms Tindall said. "We expect the majority of providers will be hiking their energy rates over the next couple of months on the back of increased network, wholesale and admin costs." The federal government had extended energy bill rebates until the end of in the 2025 budget. Earlier in June, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen was set to tell a energy conference that reform to the default market system wasn't working as it was intended and "reform is needed". "It's difficult to defend the DMO when the customer is required to do the deal hunting," the minister's speech said. "The longer expensive coal and gas keep setting the price, the longer bills will be higher than they should be." READ MORE: 'I don't think it's working': electricity bill pricing set for overhaul To find any rebates available to you, visit Three of Australia's largest energy retailers have confirmed price hikes that could cost families between $31 and $261 per year. The three retailers, Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia, supply more than 60 per cent of the Australian electricity market and will lift prices between July 1 and September 1, 2025. The announcement follows a decision by regulators in May to increase the default price offers that seek to stop gouging through setting benchmark prices. Prices vary between different states and retailers, and so does when the increases occur. Origin and AGL lift prices on July 1 in NSW, Qld and SA. Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia increase prices on August 1 in Vic, ACT and NSW. Energy Australia will increase prices in Qld and SA on September 1. Canstar Blue data insights director Sally Tindall said the increases were not what most hoped for and would not be limited to the three major providers. "For the average household, they're looking at price hikes of between $31 and $261 a year, however, for bigger families, they could well be looking at hikes that are double this," Ms Tindall said. "We expect the majority of providers will be hiking their energy rates over the next couple of months on the back of increased network, wholesale and admin costs." The federal government had extended energy bill rebates until the end of in the 2025 budget. Earlier in June, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen was set to tell a energy conference that reform to the default market system wasn't working as it was intended and "reform is needed". "It's difficult to defend the DMO when the customer is required to do the deal hunting," the minister's speech said. "The longer expensive coal and gas keep setting the price, the longer bills will be higher than they should be." READ MORE: 'I don't think it's working': electricity bill pricing set for overhaul To find any rebates available to you, visit Three of Australia's largest energy retailers have confirmed price hikes that could cost families between $31 and $261 per year. The three retailers, Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia, supply more than 60 per cent of the Australian electricity market and will lift prices between July 1 and September 1, 2025. The announcement follows a decision by regulators in May to increase the default price offers that seek to stop gouging through setting benchmark prices. Prices vary between different states and retailers, and so does when the increases occur. Origin and AGL lift prices on July 1 in NSW, Qld and SA. Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia increase prices on August 1 in Vic, ACT and NSW. Energy Australia will increase prices in Qld and SA on September 1. Canstar Blue data insights director Sally Tindall said the increases were not what most hoped for and would not be limited to the three major providers. "For the average household, they're looking at price hikes of between $31 and $261 a year, however, for bigger families, they could well be looking at hikes that are double this," Ms Tindall said. "We expect the majority of providers will be hiking their energy rates over the next couple of months on the back of increased network, wholesale and admin costs." The federal government had extended energy bill rebates until the end of in the 2025 budget. Earlier in June, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen was set to tell a energy conference that reform to the default market system wasn't working as it was intended and "reform is needed". "It's difficult to defend the DMO when the customer is required to do the deal hunting," the minister's speech said. "The longer expensive coal and gas keep setting the price, the longer bills will be higher than they should be." READ MORE: 'I don't think it's working': electricity bill pricing set for overhaul To find any rebates available to you, visit Three of Australia's largest energy retailers have confirmed price hikes that could cost families between $31 and $261 per year. The three retailers, Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia, supply more than 60 per cent of the Australian electricity market and will lift prices between July 1 and September 1, 2025. The announcement follows a decision by regulators in May to increase the default price offers that seek to stop gouging through setting benchmark prices. Prices vary between different states and retailers, and so does when the increases occur. Origin and AGL lift prices on July 1 in NSW, Qld and SA. Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia increase prices on August 1 in Vic, ACT and NSW. Energy Australia will increase prices in Qld and SA on September 1. Canstar Blue data insights director Sally Tindall said the increases were not what most hoped for and would not be limited to the three major providers. "For the average household, they're looking at price hikes of between $31 and $261 a year, however, for bigger families, they could well be looking at hikes that are double this," Ms Tindall said. "We expect the majority of providers will be hiking their energy rates over the next couple of months on the back of increased network, wholesale and admin costs." The federal government had extended energy bill rebates until the end of in the 2025 budget. Earlier in June, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen was set to tell a energy conference that reform to the default market system wasn't working as it was intended and "reform is needed". "It's difficult to defend the DMO when the customer is required to do the deal hunting," the minister's speech said. "The longer expensive coal and gas keep setting the price, the longer bills will be higher than they should be." READ MORE: 'I don't think it's working': electricity bill pricing set for overhaul To find any rebates available to you, visit
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Electricity costs to climb by hundreds of dollars as Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia confirm increases for millions of homes
Millions of Australian households will be hit with higher electricity bills from July 1, as the country's three largest power retailers - Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia - introduce widespread price increases that could see some families paying up to $300 more a year. This wave of price hikes spans all three energy giants and will affect households across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT. It marks another blow to consumers already under pressure from the rising cost of living and comes as the federal government continues to roll out energy bill relief in a bid to soften the financial shock. For many customers, New South Wales will bear the brunt. AGL, the nation's second-largest electricity retailer, has confirmed it will raise prices in NSW by 13.5 per cent, which translates to an average annual increase of $267. But some customers with higher usage will see their bills rise by as much as $300. In South Australia, the increase will be 7.8 per cent or around $200 per year, while Queensland households face a 7.5 per cent rise, adding roughly $155 to annual costs. Victorians will see an increase of 6.8 per cent, or about $110 more each year. Origin, the country's largest retailer, will raise prices by an average of 9.1 per cent in NSW, pushing annual bills up by around $216. South Australians will pay an extra $122, while Queensland households are set for a rise of $72. In Victoria, Origin has yet to finalise its electricity pricing, but gas customers have already been told to expect an $85 increase per year. EnergyAustralia, the third-largest retailer, is also lifting prices. Its NSW customers will see bills rise by 8.7 per cent - an increase of about $215 annually. For Victorians, the increase is smaller at 2.3 per cent or $47, while Queenslanders will pay an extra $53 and South Australians an additional $73 per year. Households in the ACT will be hit with one of the sharpest jumps: an 11.6 per cent rise, equating to a $231 annual increase. These price hikes come into effect on July 1 in most states, though in Victoria and the ACT, changes won't take effect until August 1. The increases are being driven by higher network charges, increased wholesale electricity costs and rising expenses associated with servicing customers - factors the retailers say are largely beyond their control. AGL said in a statement that it remains committed to helping customers manage cost-of-living pressures. 'AGL is committed to supporting customers experiencing cost-of-living pressures with $85m of the $90m FY24 and FY25 Customer Support Package delivered to date, and we will continue to deliver programs to support our customers over the next 12 months,' a spokesperson said. Origin's head of retail, John Briskin, urged customers to take advantage of tools to monitor their usage and explore available discounts, noting there are "simple ways customers can take control of their energy and potentially save - check you're on the best plan, use the Origin app to track your usage, and take advantage of benefits like discounts on fuel and other everyday expenses.' With the regulator having recently approved increases to benchmark electricity prices, the broader market has followed suit. Although only about 10 per cent of households are on these standard offers, they serve as a pricing reference for other plans, meaning changes to the benchmark usually have a ripple effect across all retailers. The increases follow two years of rising bills across most of the country, with average annual electricity costs up by as much as $360 since June 2023. And while the federal government has extended its energy bill relief programme until the end of the year, including a $75 quarterly rebate that begins from July 1, for many households the government assistance will fall well short of covering the full impact of the hikes.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Courts pushing back on corporate carbon offsetting claims, LSE report finds
Judges across the world are proving sceptical of companies' attempts to offset their greenhouse gas emissions by buying carbon credits, a report has found. In an analysis of nearly 3,000 climate-related lawsuits filed around the world since 2015, the latest annual review of climate litigation by the London School of Economics found action against corporations in particular was 'evolving', with growing scrutiny of how companies plan to meet their stated climate commitments. Dozens of legal challenges over the past decade have raised arguments related to carbon credits, and many have been successful. Last month, Energy Australia acknowledged that carbon offsets did not prevent or undo damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and apologised to its customers for allegedly misleading marketing. The announcement followed a greenwashing lawsuit brought against the energy company by a group of Australian parents, which was settled out of court. It was the first case in Australia to be brought against a company for 'carbon neutral' marketing, but only one of many across the world challenging similar claims in high-emitting industries. In October in the US, two residents of Portland, Oregon, sued the state's largest natural gas company, NW Natural, over its 'Smart Energy' offset scheme. Money from the scheme goes to methane digester projects at industrial dairy farms, which the residents say release significant amounts of greenhouse gases and therefore breach state rules prohibiting unfair and deceptive marketing claims. The company, which is also being sued by Multnomah County for allegedly sowing climate doubt, says it will defend itself 'vigorously' against the allegations. Cases such as these 'focus on the integrity of carbon credits and the claims that can be made regarding the carbon emissions of a product or service when credits are purchased to 'offset' emissions from that product or service', the LSE report found. Other lawsuits target companies and financial services that market themselves to sustainability-conscious consumers, challenging a lack of transparency or clarity. In Germany, greenwashing lawsuits have proliferated after a judgment last year against the sweet company Katjes. The federal court of justice ruled that the company's use of the term 'climate neutral' to market its fruit gummies was ambiguous because consumers could either interpret it as a real reduction in emissions while the sweet was being made or as the company having compensated for its emissions elsewhere. Katjes had done the latter, by buying CO2 certificates. In future, the German court concluded, companies could only use these kinds of terms if they were properly explained within the advert itself. These judicial decisions follow similar statements from advertising regulators and consumer protection bodies, which have been cracking down on dubious climate neutrality claims for several years. Some cases identified by the LSE report were criminal in nature, with at least three concerning allegations of carbon credit fraud in the US in 2024. One involved a former carbon offsetting executive accused of helping to manipulate data from projects in rural Africa and Asia. The LSE researchers said such litigation highlighted 'key challenges' in the operation of voluntary carbon markets, which have been beset by revelations that many of their credits do not represent genuine carbon reductions. Legal risks, stronger regulation of corporate activity in some parts of the world, and growing consumer awareness of the nuances of offsetting claims do seem to be influencing corporate decision-making. Analysis of company climate plans by Carbon Market Watch and the New Climate Institute showed nearly all relied heavily on offsetting in 2022, but their next Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor report, due in July, will chart a shift away from potentially misleading claims. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion 'Courts will continue to play a crucial role in clarifying legal boundaries for corporate responsibility in the context of net zero commitments,' the LSE concluded. While greenwashing lawsuits tend to focus on claims made by companies in their most lucrative markets in the global north, courts have also become involved in disputes over whether offsetting schemes themselves – many of which are in the global south – respect the rights of local communities. In January, a Kenyan court ruled in favour of a group of people in the northern county of Isiolo who contested the establishment of two conservancies within their communally owned land by the Northern Rangelands Trust and its associates for an offsetting scheme described as the 'world's largest soil carbon removal project'. The scheme, used by big companies including Meta, Netflix and British Airways, has long been under fire from Indigenous activists. And in Brazil the federal public prosecutor's office of the state of Pará recently filed a lawsuit against the federal government, the state of Pará and the Environmental Assets and Participations Company of Pará (Caapp), asking the federal court to immediately suspend and annul a contract for a massive carbon offsetting project. It was the latest move in a bitter argument around the $180m (£132m) deal between Caapp and a company representing the Leaf Coalition of corporate and government organisations. They aimed to sell carbon credits gained from reducing deforestation in the state, under a system called Redd+, to buyers around the world. The LSE report found a growing body of lawsuits in which vulnerable communities or environmental groups have challenged climate mitigation or adaptation projects based on fairness, procedural deficiencies or biodiversity harm. The authors wrote: 'Courts are being asked to arbitrate not only on whether governments and companies act on climate, but also how they do so.'
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Thousands to be hit with power bill increases as EnergyAustralia, Alinta confirm price hikes
Energy prices are set to rise for thousands of Australians with two of the country's biggest providers announcing increases. Alinta will increase costs for NSW customers by 11 per cent, and the Daily Telegraph reports EnergyAustralia will also raise NSW prices by 8.7 per cent. The EnergyAustralia increase will see NSW households pay an average of $215 extra in annual power bills, and small businesses would pay an additional $565. Prices will also increase for households across other major states, including an 11.6 per cent increase for the ACT, 2.1 per cent in Queensland, 2.9 per cent in South Australia, and 2.3 per cent in Victoria. The Daily Telegraph estimates NSW small businesses with Alinta will pay at least $236 extra, depending on what area they are based in. Alinta will also impose a 5.2 per cent increase for Queensland and 6.5 per cent for South Australia. Shadow Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Dan Tehan said the increases come after the Labour government "promised" Australians would see cheaper energy by 2025. "Chris Bowen has failed dismally as Australia's energy minister and he should apologise to the people of NSW for his gross incompetence," he said. "He promised that by the end of this year power bills would go down by $275 but this confirms they will go up by $1000." EnergyAustralia Chief customer officer Kate Gibson said customers can reach out for support. 'We encourage any customers experiencing difficulty paying their energy bills to please contact us as early as possible,' she said. 'Through our EnergyAssist program, support can cover payment plans, staying-connected guarantees, energy efficiency advice, and, for small businesses, cashflow assistance is available.'
