Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Australia
Reload this Page >

My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Old Aug 3rd 2017, 1:45 am
  #1  
Ex BE ***** Addict
Thread Starter
 
arkon's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
arkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond reputearkon has a reputation beyond repute
Default My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Ok, so seeing as I just paid a visit to the forum after a fews years absence to ask a question of the expert expats on here, I thought I'd just share some shocking bit of news (pardon the pun).

Last Quarter in NSW my electricity cost was aprox. 30c per KWH and it was advertised that it would be going up 16% for residential and 18% for business customers!!!

Well mine didn't go up 18% for my business here, it whet up a whopping 57% to 52 cent per KWH peak.

So I shopped around to the only other supplier and guess what? They too were 52 cents per KWH.

Anyway to all you potential new convicts to Australia please remember to bring plenty of ski wear for Australian winters and your screwed for Summers as you won't be able to afford to heat or cool your poorly made Australian houses!
arkon is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 2:30 am
  #2  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

If only the sun shone in Australia you could use solar power.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 2:56 am
  #3  
Crazy Cat Lady
 
moneypenny20's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
moneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by Pulaski
If only the sun shone in Australia you could use solar power.
Some of us do. (Not enough though).

Nice to see you Arkon. Hope you and yours are well, if a bit cold.
moneypenny20 is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 3:48 am
  #4  
Still alive
 
Dorothy's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Dorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by Pulaski
If only the sun shone in Australia you could use solar power.
Even with solar my power bills average $200-300/mo. It's kind of hard to heat/cool something made of bricks and no insulation and single pane windows. My new "green" house boasts R3 in the roofspace. R3!!! It's like a second sheet of newsprint for insulation.
Dorothy is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 6:59 am
  #5  
BE Forum Addict
 
verystormy's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,337
verystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond reputeverystormy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

That is nearly 3x the average rate in the UK for a business.
verystormy is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 10:40 am
  #6  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by Dorothy
. My new "green" house boasts R3 in the roofspace. R3!!! It's like a second sheet of newsprint for insulation.
I didn't know R's went that low. Can you not tell the builder to put in more insulation, or isn't it even available?

Our walls are R11 which is pretty pathetic, and I think the attic is about R30, but may be a bit more than that.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 10:46 am
  #7  
Crazy Cat Lady
 
moneypenny20's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
moneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond reputemoneypenny20 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by Pulaski
I didn't know R's went that low. Can you not tell the builder to put in more insulation, or isn't it even available?

Our walls are R11 which is pretty pathetic, and I think the attic is about R30, but may be a bit more than that.
Brits who self build generally get the spec ramped up a bit but unless you live down in Tassie/Victoria you can get builders look at you as though you're stupid and why on earth would you want insulation and double glazing?????

We've got about 25 solar panels and we've fully insulated the loft and an outside wall the husband may or may not have erected. We also have the woodburner and the house is pretty solid but from what I've seen and heard we're better off than most. We never use the aircon or reverse air but winter in Queensland is no where near as cold at other places and we're close enough to the ocean to get sea breezes in summer. Luck of the draw.
moneypenny20 is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 1:45 pm
  #8  
Gutter Gob!!
 
northernbird's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 13,098
northernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond reputenorthernbird has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by arkon
Ok, so seeing as I just paid a visit to the forum after a fews years absence to ask a question of the expert expats on here, I thought I'd just share some shocking bit of news (pardon the pun).

Last Quarter in NSW my electricity cost was aprox. 30c per KWH and it was advertised that it would be going up 16% for residential and 18% for business customers!!!

Well mine didn't go up 18% for my business here, it whet up a whopping 57% to 52 cent per KWH peak.

So I shopped around to the only other supplier and guess what? They too were 52 cents per KWH.

Anyway to all you potential new convicts to Australia please remember to bring plenty of ski wear for Australian winters and your screwed for Summers as you won't be able to afford to heat or cool your poorly made Australian houses!
for once WA is cheaper, I work for the only energy provider in WA and it's 26c per kwh!!
northernbird is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 9:26 pm
  #9  
Spud
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Avoca Beach
Posts: 565
spuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond reputespuddyo has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Our power bill just went up from 250 to 320 per month. Over the last two years I have replaced most lights with LED, hot water only off peak, we only do washing and dishwasher off peak, turn everything off when we go out - and still it goes up. Sadly the more people go over to solar and self generated power, the more expensive it will get for the rest of us to cover their overheads and profit margin. A bit like the pub steak and chips, it gets smaller as the price goes up until all the customers go elsewhere and the pub shuts down.
spuddyo is offline  
Old Aug 3rd 2017, 10:14 pm
  #10  
has lost The Game
 
Swerv-o's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Swerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by moneypenny20
Brits who self build generally get the spec ramped up a bit but unless you live down in Tassie/Victoria you can get builders look at you as though you're stupid and why on earth would you want insulation and double glazing?????

Insulation and double glazing also work to keep the heat out in the summer - something that the locals don't seem able to get their heads around.


S
Swerv-o is offline  
Old Aug 4th 2017, 12:12 am
  #11  
snɐןɔ ʎʇıuɐs
 
GarryP's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,558
GarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond reputeGarryP has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by Swerv-o
Insulation and double glazing also work to keep the heat out in the summer - something that the locals don't seem able to get their heads around.
Plus they need some airtightness and blower door tests. These house leak like a sieve - even the new ones.

It would be perfectly possible to building houses in Melbourne that needed virtually no heating in winter or cooling in summer - and do it for about the same price. However, you'd need to nail those builders to the wall first.
GarryP is offline  
Old Aug 4th 2017, 12:17 am
  #12  
has lost The Game
 
Swerv-o's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Swerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by GarryP
Plus they need some airtightness and blower door tests. These house leak like a sieve - even the new ones.

It would be perfectly possible to building houses in Melbourne that needed virtually no heating in winter or cooling in summer - and do it for about the same price. However, you'd need to nail those builders to the wall first.

This is true. My front door has nearly an inch gap underneath it.


S
Swerv-o is offline  
Old Aug 4th 2017, 1:01 am
  #13  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: Consolacion,Cebu
Posts: 1,928
quiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

I thought our 'leccy was expensive here as we are supposed to be the second dearest in Asia. Just done calculation and at 40.05pesos/Aus$ our cost is approx 22cents/KWH!
Solar power is only just starting to be used here domestically due to the initial cost being beyond the reach of most of the population, but roof mounted solar water heating is very popular. The local 'leccy company has just opened a new solar energy farm south of here that is generating 6megawatts and the country as a whole has over 900Mw of solar farms. It is commercially viable here as all coal is imported for the "standard" power stations. If the UK can have solar farms surely Oz can find space for a few?
quiltman is offline  
Old Aug 4th 2017, 1:06 am
  #14  
has lost The Game
 
Swerv-o's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Swerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond reputeSwerv-o has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by quiltman
I thought our 'leccy was expensive here as we are supposed to be the second dearest in Asia. Just done calculation and at 40.05pesos/Aus$ our cost is approx 22cents/KWH!
Solar power is only just starting to be used here domestically due to the initial cost being beyond the reach of most of the population, but roof mounted solar water heating is very popular. The local 'leccy company has just opened a new solar energy farm south of here that is generating 6megawatts and the country as a whole has over 900Mw of solar farms. It is commercially viable here as all coal is imported for the "standard" power stations. If the UK can have solar farms surely Oz can find space for a few?

It's not the space, it's the time, cost and regulations you have to overcome to connect a Solar enterprise to the electricity network. It's such a closed shop that if you are not an incumbent, it's practically impossible to connect and supply electricity.

In the UK, a farmer can build a field of solar panels, connect them to the network, and then sell the energy provider the electricity. It just doesn't work like that here unfortunately.


S
Swerv-o is offline  
Old Aug 4th 2017, 1:35 am
  #15  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Location: Consolacion,Cebu
Posts: 1,928
quiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond reputequiltman has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: My peak electricity is now $0.52 per KWH!

Originally Posted by Swerv-o
It's not the space, it's the time, cost and regulations you have to overcome to connect a Solar enterprise to the electricity network. It's such a closed shop that if you are not an incumbent, it's practically impossible to connect and supply electricity.

In the UK, a farmer can build a field of solar panels, connect them to the network, and then sell the energy provider the electricity. It just doesn't work like that here unfortunately.


S
Ah! thanks for the explanation.
quiltman is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.