Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 11441489)

Possibly a 2 phase supply and before and after the carbon tax was scrapped (or one rate for first so many kWh, and different rate after on both peak and off peak units). Saying that I would expect to see 4 meters not 2 so maybe not.

Originally Posted by Molly Coddle (Post 11439941)

For an average size house.

One month = $311.72 The first two weeks we weren't in the house much as our furniture was delayed. So no washing, not much cooking, not much use of anything really. The last couple of weeks we were out most days but in most evenings.

It just seemed a bit steep to say we haven't used much electricity? What do you guys reckon?

Originally Posted by Rhubarb65 (Post 11441205)

Molly, I think it is steep, if only because the off-peak consumption from your bill is vastly more than your peak consumption (ratio of c. 85:15) and based on your comments about the time you've spent in the house, something seems awry- what hours does your electricity supplier consider off-peak and can you correlate that to the time you have been in the house?

Perhaps do a double-check of your starting readings for the two tariffs, as others have suggested. We did have experience of a meter reading being transposed in one of our rentals a couple of years ago (the letting agent wrote down the numbers incorrectly) and you obviously don't want to be paying the leccy for the last tenants!

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 11441220)

I'm with Energy Australia - don't know how they compare on price though.

If that screen shot is your bill I'd def be questioning it. As well as the off peak usage, you've got a total of 1200kWh approx or nearly 2 kW every hour of every day.

If the readings are correct, turn every circuit breaker off and check the meters don't turn with nothing connected. Then turn them back on one at a time to see which one is running up the bill.

Originally Posted by paulry (Post 11441342)

Looking at the bill it looks like the dates are correct but what's with the two sets of four line items? (peak and off peak usages)

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 11441489)

Possibly a 2 phase supply and before and after the carbon tax was scrapped (or one rate for first so many kWh, and different rate after on both peak and off peak units). Saying that I would expect to see 4 meters not 2 so maybe not.

Originally Posted by paulry (Post 11441516)

It's definately confusing. Maybe Molly could check with a neighbour (assuming she's got to know one or two) to see if they also have the strange line items and maybe find out what they mean.

Originally Posted by Molly Coddle (Post 11442001)

Thanks for your input guys. I appreciate it and I'll check out the things you suggested today. I've managed to get in touch with the company Click Energy and they said they couldn't speak to me about the bill because my names not on it, ( it's in my husbands name ). He's in London at the moment, so he has to send them a confirmation email, as soon as he's done that I can speak with them.

In the meantime I googled them, seems like they well known for being robbing gits!
Click Energy Reviews - ProductReview.com.au

Obviously I'll pay the bill, but even if I confront them with the issues that's been raised here, ( which I will ) they're never going to back-down are they? The big companies especially energy suppliers have you by the balls and they know it. Having said I am going to try a different provider ASAP, just to see if there's a difference.

The only way to beat these rip off companies is to go as self sufficient as possible, but speaking as renters unfortunately we don't have that choice.

Originally Posted by Molly Coddle (Post 11439941)

For an average size house.

One month = $311.72 The first two weeks we weren't in the house much as our furniture was delayed. So no washing, not much cooking, not much use of anything really. The last couple of weeks we were out most days but in most evenings.

It just seemed a bit steep to say we haven't used much electricity? What do you guys reckon?

Originally Posted by Molly Coddle (Post 11439962)

It's open plan down stairs with under floor heating. Only had it on two days tops though during that month.
Not too sure about our hot water. It's instant hot water, we don't have to wait for it to heat ( in case you were thinking of an immersion heater) but can't seem to see a boiler anywhere, I'll ask the husband about that, he will know more. He's not here at the moment.

Glad you think it's expensive so do I and we haven't even used it properly yet. :unsure:

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle (Post 11442485)

I think you'll find the two separate tariff breakdowns are the different Monthly quotas and I'm guessing that you have off peak electric hot water storage, combined with a wide off peak period. The small peak amounts seem to indicate that you are out a lot during the day.

As long as they are separate monthly quotas and you have electric storage water heating then the billing will probably be correct. Have you got a tumble/clothes dryer that you use regularly at night time as well ?...... or those electric fan heaters ???

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle (Post 11442485)

I think you'll find the two separate tariff breakdowns are the different Monthly quotas and I'm guessing that you have off peak electric hot water storage, combined with a wide off peak period. The small peak amounts seem to indicate that you are out a lot during the day.

As long as they are separate monthly quotas and you have electric storage water heating then the billing will probably be correct. Have you got a tumble/clothes dryer that you use regularly at night time as well ?...... or those electric fan heaters ???

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack (Post 11442792)

You are using 30kW a day *off peak*.

That's Running a 1 bar electric heater all day (and a quarter).

It's a lot.

We use about 13kW a day total in a small house.

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle (Post 11442799)

We use 31 kwh per day, in total, our house is all electric though except for hot water showers. I figured our 800 buck per quarter bill was pretty good as the whole house is heated by reverse cycle Air cons... Plus my kids are nocturnal.

So your right 31kwh off peak is a lot, if that electric under floor heating is solely to blame then it's one hell of an expensive way to heat a house despite the supposed cheaper night time tariff. It quite possibly is the culprit.... because generally I think (under floor heating) they run at 1.5kwh (thats 30 cents per room per hour + GST in Mollys case) per room per hour... depends how many rooms they are heating.

I take a lot of note of electricity usage because of my desire to get enough solar input to make us self sufficient.... I think at 31kw per day I need at least a 6kwh system... 7 Kwh probably being the optimum no hassle size..

Originally Posted by jad n rich (Post 11442883)

What heating do you recommend in Melbourne. 3 level (hilltop so very windy) house, some wood floors, some suspended polished concrete, some tiles/carpet over slab.

In QLD we have a large log burner ( use it about 90 times in winter ) and AC unit to 5 rooms which we use probably about 60 days in summer. I am assuming for resale people in melbourne expect heating but I am not sure what? I would be happy with just a log burner, I cant stand central heating, do they even have that in Melb? Reverse cycle AC seems popular down there but that is expensive to run.

Its one aspect of the house I really have no idea what to do.

Also do most people install gas hot water, I wanted to use the gas as much as possible.

We have solar here, and only have a 450 quarter elec bill including pool and the sub culture of night teens:lol: It was way higher before solar and gradually replacing all new appliances with 5*.

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 11442053)

I would still query it - Energy Australia tried to charge me a for units prior to my tenancy start, and a disconnection fee for previous tenant - both removed from bill (well credit to second bill)

If you can access your meters though, I would do the check s suggested. Any problems and you're welcome to give me a shout :)

Originally Posted by DeadVim (Post 11442084)

It's a bargain.

If you're growing dope. :lol:

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle (Post 11442485)

I think you'll find the two separate tariff breakdowns are the different Monthly quotas and I'm guessing that you have off peak electric hot water storage, combined with a wide off peak period. The small peak amounts seem to indicate that you are out a lot during the day.

As long as they are separate monthly quotas and you have electric storage water heating then the billing will probably be correct. Have you got a tumble/clothes dryer that you use regularly at night time as well ?...... or those electric fan heaters ???

Originally Posted by paulry (Post 11442661)

I missed your mention of the under-floor heating. This kind of heating can be hellish expensive because you're heating the ground underneath the house as well. Also, adjusting/stopping the heat has a lag that is kind of like turning around/stopping the titanic. Does the house also have reverse cycle aircon? If it does, then the reverse cycle aspect refers to heating instead of cooling (I think), and I've heard that heating through aircon systems is reasonably cost effective so that c/would be a better form of heating to use. In winter here in Canberra, it reminds me of growing up in pre central heating 70s Britain: Bloody freezing where extra blankets are put on the beds and others are placed around the living room, "screams of shut that door! You'll let the cold in" are common and where the condensation from your breath freezes on the inside of the windows! :eek: :lol: During our first winter here we wondered if we'd moved to Antartica by mistake! :o :rofl:





Very good points. Plus, the houses are notoriouslly badly insulated here.

Molly; Add gas-fired, radiator central heating to the list of things you miss from home :D

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack (Post 11442792)

You are using 30kW a day *off peak*.

That's Running a 1 bar electric heater all day (and a quarter).

It's a lot.

We use about 13kW a day total in a small house.

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle (Post 11442906)

I'd go reverse cycle air con personally, especially as you have solar and back it up with a log burner, especially if your hubby can get free wood during the course of his building work ? Solar panels x 10kwh plus one of these would be very handy.... Hot water heat pump....https://www.theenergyhub.com.au/wwk-...ment-6703.html Thats utopian though.

Then there's this.... You can see why electricty generation at home is the future though.

200L Industrial (Chiller) Unit

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http://www.progresspartners.com.au/i...-2-300x243.jpg

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