topic Re: Bill too high in Managing Your Energy

Bill to high - how do I cut back?

FeeBee21 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:35:34 GMT

Hi like most people I am finding the cost of living way over the top but having said that not crying poor mouth want I would like though are some sensible tips on how to cut back my bill. I pay out of the pension $40.00 a fortnight, I live in a one bedroom govt unit, I do have a air-con that I try not to use for too long Hot water is taken care of through communal solar panels.I do have a fish tank so 1 pump all the time and one light maybe 10 hours, I do listen to music nearly all day maybe 2 hrs at night for TV. I also have a C-pap machine on every night. I believe my usage per day is &4.96 How do I bring that cost down??? Would appreciate your help.

Re: Bill too high

Caban — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 03:57:10 GMT

@FeeBee21

Hi FeeBee,

Some things to look at to bring down the cost of electricity.

Obvious things first;

Have you replaced the lights to using LED's (I know most have)
Is there a booster for the Hot Water Service?
Does the fish tank have a heater? If so that will use more than the light, aerator or filter. Can you change to cold water species instead of tropical varieties?
What is the energy rating on your Fridge and/or Freezer? These are on 24/7 and more efficient models do make a difference.
Do you use a clothes dryer? These use a lot of power. The free solar systems are more economical.

Some less obvious;

Is your Air Con a split system or wall/window mounted? If it is a split system then the outside part is probably consuming power all the time, even when not in operation. This can be reduced with some planning.*
Are you on the best plan for your usage patterns? Personally I make more electricity than I use with a Solar/Battery system, so my important parameters are the Daily Charge and Feed In Tariff. Yours probably will be different. If your usage is known then an optimal plan can be suggested.
Are you on a flat rate or time of use? If it is time of use then try to use items with a heavy load (Oven, Electric Range, Washing Machines, Dishwasher etc.) during the off peak periods. This can be inconvenient as it is normally after 10pm and on weekends. Use of timers can help to run things when you are asleep.
Have you applied for a rebate for your home medical device? In some States this can be available through the Dept of Health (ask to speak to a local Social Worker)

The Stereo and TV probably do not consume a lot of power, assuming they are fairly modern models.

*Turn your AC off at the switchboard when you are not going to be using it for an extended period. Remember to switch it back on a couple of hours prior to running it again. The heater in the unit can consume approx 60 - 120 watts in standby. This is 1.44 to 2.88 kWh a day or about 130 to 260 kWh a quarter. If the average cost is 40c/kWh that is $50 to $100 a quarter ($4 to $8 a week). A high price for convenience.

Re: Bill too high

FeeBee21 — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 12:07:04 GMT

Thank you some very good tips there luckily for me fish are cold water chappies. Interesting about the air con it is a split one so I will check that out. Son changed all light bulbs perhaps I should check my refrigerator it is an older one. No air dryer that's what the sun and wind are for anyways thanks for the suggestions

Re: Bill too high

Tiddyoggy — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 14:35:22 GMT

Hi Caban, the usage in standby mode of a split system , does depend on the age of the system, and the technology it uses. Regards

Re: Bill too high

FeeBee21 — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 21:04:27 GMT

My air con is new April 2023

Re: Bill too high

Caban — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 23:09:39 GMT

@Tiddyoggy

I do not have a split system, just one small wall unit. When I looked into this a while ago it seemed that MOST split systems had crank heaters of various power levels. The exception seemed to be the more expensive units. I did note that the efficiency figures were only quoted for when the units were operating, not for standby.

This unit being in a rental property I am assuming it will probably be the cheapest the owner can purchase, but I could be wrong.

Re: Bill too high

Caban — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 23:13:10 GMT

@FeeBee21

I would look up the Specifications of the Model you have and see if it has a crank case heater. It may not be obvious.

Re: Bill too high

FeeBee21 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:11:18 GMT

I have looked and as far as I can tell it does not have a crank case heater

Re: Bill to high - how do I cut back?

David_AGL — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 01:07:43 GMT

Hi @FeeBee21 , on top of the great advice from @Caban above you might find a few more good tips on this discussion:

https://neighbourhood.agl.com.au/t5/Managing-Your-Energy/What-are-your-best-power-saving-tips/m-p/32424

Or on our Energy Saving Tips help page: https://www.agl.com.au/help-support/energy/financial-support-and-customer-assistance/customer-assistance/energy-saving-tips

Re: Bill to high - how do I cut back?

David_AGL — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 23:49:14 GMT

@FeeBee21 ,

Another thing to check if you're struggling with cost of living is that you're receiving all the concessions and rebates you're eligible to. Take a look at https://www.agl.com.au/help-support/energy/financial-support-and-customer-assistance for more info, or get in touch with us so we can assist.

Re: Bill too high

Kezboss — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 12:33:38 GMT

You mentioned the outside part of a split system air-conditioning unit consuming power all the time, even when not in operation. How/ why does it do that? And how can I stop it?

Re: Bill too high

Caban — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:27:40 GMT

@Kezboss

The reason is that they need the oil in the compressor to be at the correct temperature. The same models are sold all over the world in a variety of ambient temperatures. It is common to have a small heater of about 60 to 120 Watts to regulate this.
You can manage this by turning the outside unit off from the circuit breaker. When you wish to use the unit again switch it on a short time (I would guess about an hour would do it) before you wish to run the unit.

Re: Bill too high

Kezboss — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 05:58:07 GMT

@Caban @If the oil is for the heater, would I still need to wait a while after turning it back on at the meter before using the air con

Re: Bill too high

Caban — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 06:33:24 GMT

@Kezboss

The heater is for the oil. To let the oil reach the correct temperature you need to give it some time. I would think about an hour should be sufficient.

Re: Bill too high

Kezboss — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:17:12 GMT

@Caban yes but it's summer so I will be using air con, not heater. So do you think I would still need to wait after turning the power supply back on?

Re: Bill too high

Deepesh_AGL — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 04:32:48 GMT

Hi Kezboss, You can find more energy saving tips by visiting Energy saving tips. Cheers, Deepesh

Re: Bill too high

Caban — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:00:33 GMT

@Kezboss

Personally I would always give it an hour before running the air conditioner/s. The Compressor is working the same on both cycles, just the heat is being pumped in different directions. In the Winter the sump oil will be cooler but I would err on the side of caution.

Have you checked if the model you have is fitted with a Crankcase Heater?

I checked last week for a friend last week with a Mitsubishi Commercial unit. It did not have a heater.