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Gas And Electricity South Australia
Post on June 13th, 2015
It’s no secret that prices for gas and electricity are booming nationwide, and South Australia isn’t any exception. That’s why more homeowners than ever before are doing everything they can to potentially reduce annual energy prices by comparing leading energy retailers for possible big savings on annual gas and electricity rates.
If you are looking for affordable electricity and gas in South Australia, you can compare and could start saving today.
To potentially reduce your annual energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year you should compare your supplier, so you can find a better rate. By taking just a moment to input your information in the form below or calling directly at 1300 763 849, you will receive a fast, free quote on possibly much cheaper energy rates at no obligation to you!
A competitive market
South Australia’s energy market was deregulated in 2012, which meant that the Government removed its restrictions on energy competition and prices, and this opened up the door for a wave of new electricity and gas suppliers to enter the market. Each of these companies was able to set their own prices, which introduced competition to gas and electricity prices, which means you now have the opportunity to choose a rate that works for you.
There are currently over 15 different energy retailers in South Australia for both residents and businesses, including:
- Alinta Energy
- Blue Energy
- Click Energy
- Commander Power and Gas
- Diamond Energy
- Dodo Power and Gas
- EnergyAustralia
- Lumo Energy SA
- Momentum Energy
- Origin Energy
- Pacific Hydro
- QEnergy
- Red Energy
- Sanctuary Energy
- Simply Energy
- amaysim Energy
Each of these suppliers has different rates and plans, so you can shop around and find the cheapest electricity available, and find an electricity supplier that you trust.
Here are a few things to consider when looking around for a new plan:
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- Make sure you know what type of plan you’re getting – There are two common types of energy plans, fixed rate plans and variable plans. A fixed rate plan locks you in to one rate throughout the term of your contract, so you always know what you’ll be charged, whereas a variable rate plan is open to be changed without warning, and is based on wholesale energy prices—so if this price goes down, so will your rate.
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- Read the fine print – Check the terms and conditions of any plan you’re looking at, to see what it says about rates, tariffs, and any fees you might have to pay. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you change suppliers.
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- Ask to match rates – Energy supply is a competitive market, so a lot of suppliers will do what they can to get you on board. Ask if they’re willing to match or beat rates offered by their competition, and make the market work in your favour.
- Ask about discounts – In order to make their prices more competitive, a lot of suppliers offer discounts on certain aspects of your plan, so check to see what’s on offer with your new supplier. It might be a discount for setting up direct debit billing, it might be for switching to paperless correspondence, it might even be for paying your bill on time.
Ask what’s on offer, and make sure you know just what’s being discounted. A discount on your rate vs. your whole bill can make a huge difference, so be sure check to make sure the discount’s actually worth it.
We recommend comparing your plan every 12 to 24 months, so you can keep on top of any advances in the industry, and to keep that competitive edge.
An alternative solution that’s closer to home is to conserve how much energy you consume in your household.
Conserve energy at home for cheaper gas and electricity in South Australia
After taking just a moment to compare energy retailers and possibly switch to lower rates for big savings, it’s important to assess how you can conserve energy around the house. Many homeowners don’t realize that the simple act of heating water could use up to half of your household’s energy in each billing cycle!
Most homes operate with two basic types of hot water systems:
- Storage
- Instantaneous
For the many homes that run out of hot water when doing laundry, running the dishwasher, or showering simultaneously, they most likely run on a storage hot water unit. A storage hot water tank will heat up batches of hot water to be used all day long. Instantaneous hot water heaters are smaller and will connect directly to the water supply to heat water as it passes through the pipes.
Although many homes still run on electric water heaters, the Australian government plans to ban the use of these devices to reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions released compared to other water heating alternatives. Replacement electric water heaters haven’t been sold since 2012. As an energy-efficient solution for heating hot water at home, consider gas, solar, or heat pumps as power sources.
A gas water heater functions similarly to an electric water heater, using a gas burner to heat water as opposed to electric heating elements. The benefit is that gas can be easily switched on and off, enabling a gas water heater to use a smaller tank to heat water as needed for a household.
When purchasing a gas hot water heater, look for its energy rating first of all. If a gas water heater has more stars, it automatically has a higher energy rating, making it a more energy-efficient appliance for your home.
If you’re looking for a greener option, a solar hot water system might be up your alley. Working much the same as your regular hot water storage system, a solar system heats using the energy from the sun, collected from solar panels, instead of firing up the gas or turning on the electricity.
Be aware though that installing a solar hot water system will be more expensive and take longer to install, and needs to be situated correctly in order for you to receive the full benefits. However, Government rebates can help to offset the cost, and once it’s installed it has very low running costs, which can end up saving you in the long run.
But if you’re worried about the cost of changing your hot water heater, or don’t have the time to undertake such a change, we understand. We’ve pulled together a list of practical tips you can put to use now that will help you save money on your gas and electricity bill, that won’t cost you a cent.
As easy as flicking a switch
Here are our top free steps you can take to reduce your energy use, and start saving on your gas and electricity bills:
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- Turn off your computer when you’re not using it. Many computers run on a 300+ watt power supply that constantly guzzles electricity, whenever it’s on, so turning it off when not in use will help you make a big difference in your electricity use.
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- A lot of your other appliances can be switched off, or even unplugged, when they’re not in use, too. Switching off things like your TV, microwave, washing machine, dryer, kettle, and even your phone chargers, can help reduce your bill. It might seem small, but it all adds up over a year.
- Take advantage of natural ways to cool and heat your home. During summer, keep your windows, curtains, and blinds closed during the day—this stops the sun from getting in, and heating up your house. When the sun starts to go down open up your windows and let the cooler air in.
During winter, make sure you’ve got your curtains and blinds closed overnight, to keep the warmth in.
- Again in summer, use your fan instead of your air conditioner. Fans use up to 80% less energy than an air conditioning unit, and have the potential to save you up to $200 a year.
- If you do use your air conditioner for cooling, or for heating, keep it between 23°C to 26°C during summer, and 18°C and 20°C over winter. Due to the energy needed to heat or cool your house, every degree you change the temperature has the potential to save 10% on the energy use of your machine—which can save you up to almost $80 a year in energy costs.
- The same goes with your laundry. Take advantage of natural drying and dry your laundry outside on the clothesline, or a clothes rack. If you air-dry your laundry four times each week, instead of using your dryer, you can save up to $150 on your yearly bill.
- Run your high-energy appliances, like your dishwasher or washing machine, in the evening during off-peak times. Peak energy use times normally occur from around 7am—8pm, due to higher energy demand, and incur higher energy usage rates.
- For an average household of four, one fridge is generally enough, so consider ditching the beer fridge. Bar fridges and older model fridges drain your energy use, and are usually unnecessary, and consolidating to just one fridge can save you up to $200 a year on your bill.
Get a better deal on your electricity bills
At Electricity Wizard, we do all the hard work for you. When you call us, we’ll compare your rates and plans against our preferred suppliers available in your area and help you select a great plan for you to possibly cut down costs and meet any other criteria you may have. Best of all, our service is completely free, so what do you have to lose?
Try us today! Call Electricity Wizard now on 1300 359 779 or fill out your details below to have one of our comparison specialists help you get a better deal on your energy bills starting today!
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