4th August, 2010
New South Wales homeowners are bracing themselves for more financial pain following rises between 7 and 13 percent* for electricity rates, which came into effect on July 1.
Independent energy price comparison service www.switchwise.com.au says that the rise in electricity is equivalent to a hike in annual bills of $296^ dependent upon the homeowners’ locations in NSW and their electricity provider. Regional residents are being hit the hardest where prices have soared 13 percent.
Australia’s largest locally owned solar hot water company EcoSmart is encouraging homeowners to make the switch to a solar water heater to provide immediate relief from escalating power bills.
Mr Romano Bolzon, General Manager for EcoSmart Hot Water, said “It is well documented that electricity, water and utility bills will rise dramatically this month. The electricity rate rise will put greater focus on what householders can do to reduce their energy usage. Electric water heating accounts for around 30 per cent of the household energy bill and consumes more power than any other appliance in the home.
“Many householders are now seeking smart alternatives like environmental hot water, which will re-invigorate energy savings and energy efficiency in the home. Solar hot water heaters can reduce water heating costs by up to 80 per cent and deliver savings on energy bills over the life of the system,” he added.
Investing in solar is a cost effective and realistic way to help homeowners reduce or zero out their immediate energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and future proof themselves against further utility price rises.
Federal and State Government rebates and other financial incentives can also shave money off the cost of a new system.
Mr Bolzon added, “When considering the economic advantages of going solar, it is important to take rising electricity prices into consideration. These electricity price rises mean that solar hot water is becoming even better value for the homeowner’s hip pocket.
“On a wider scale, renewable energy will reduce base load demand for electricity, creating more efficient energy demand and management and preventing further price increases in electricity. This is why the Government is working to phase out the installation of energy guzzling electric storage water heaters from 2012 and is another reason homeowners should consider solar hot water,” he concluded.
For further information on the EcoSmart range of environmental water heaters, please visit www.ecosmart.com.au or call 1300 EcoSmart.
For media enquiries please contact:
Kyra Washington
City PR
(02) 9267 4511
kwashington@citypublicrelations.com.au
*Calculations assume an average NSW household consumes 7,500 kWh of electricity per year on a single-rate domestic tariff.
^This calculation is based upon data sourced from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
