Fuel Poverty hits hardest in
New South Wales
210,000 NSW Households face Fuel
Poverty in 2010
- In 2009 an estimated 210,000 NSW households suffered Fuel
Poverty
- In 2010 this rose sharply to 249,000 households
- 3,550 households will be added with every 1% increase in NSW
fuel costs
Sydney, October 28, 2010: The latest figures from
electricity and gas price comparison site www.makeitcheaper.com.au
reveal that NSW households will be hardest hit as electricity price
hikes send thousands of households into Fuel Poverty.
As prices soar due to rising network costs, the government's
proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS) and retail regulation,
bills could increase by up to 64% by 2013 - more than doubling the
toll to 475,000 households - almost the population of Tasmania.
"Fuel Poverty is when the cost of your electricity bill is more
than 10% of a household's disposable income," explains Tim
Wolfenden, electricity expert and CEO of Make It Cheaper.
"These figures clearly show the social implications of these
severe price increases. Households just won't be able to
pay," he says.
Fuel Poverty will strike hardest in NSW, with 191,000 Victorian
households and 154,000 Queensland households falling into the
category in 2010.
"Despite switching off fuel-hungry devices, there's no doubt
that some families are going to struggle," warned Wolfenden. "As
always, the vulnerable will suffer most. Older people may
shiver through cold nights or swelter through the heat of summer
for fear of being hit with an unmanageable bill at the end of the
month," he added.
However, there are other options for reducing the family fuel
bill.
"A household bill could be slashed by up to 15% by finding a
better deal and switching to a new supplier," he advised.
"As competition across NSW begins to creep in, families can make
significant savings by just switching their energy supplier.
Even if they think they are locked into contracts, the savings
often outweigh the penalties," he explained.
Common Electricity Supplier Myths Busted
- It's too hard to switch: Switching
supplier is easy - it only take a few minutes to complete the paper
work, which can all be done over the phone
- My power will get cut off: Switching
is seamless - your electricity supply will not be affected.
The only difference will be the supplier's name at the top of the
bill, and the price you pay
- There's no saving to be made: There's
a range of electricity suppliers operating in New South Wales - all
of these are vying for your business, offering cheaper rates to
beat the old traditional suppliers
How to switch with Make It Cheaper:
- Call Make It Cheaper on 1300 95 77 21 and
we'll search the entire market for a cheaper deal
- Fax your most recently electricity bill directly to Make It
Cheaper (including your contact details) on 02 9423
4648. We'll search the entire market and call you back
with a cheaper deal
About www.makeitcheaper.com.au
Make It Cheaper is Australia's first dedicated
business price comparison service. Acting as an independent energy
broker Make It Cheaper is helping Australians make
their electricity and gas bills cheaper, by offering a free and
independent comparison and switching service.
-ends-
Media enquiries:
Karen Tearney
Re:Public PR
karen@republicpr.com
0410 743 151