Yahoo Finance 6 million Aussies cutting back on heating: ‘Too much of a burden’
Electricity prices have increased by between 20 and 25 per cent.
Energy bills are set to soar this winter and it’s forced millions of Aussies to cut back on their heating in a bid to save money.
Nearly three in four households - equivalent to 6 million - are cutting back on heating due to cost-of-living pressures, according to new research from Finder.
Almost one in eight (13 per cent) said they simply couldn’t afford to heat their homes, while almost one in five (18 per cent) were cutting back on heating because their other expenses had increased.
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A further 40 per cent of the 1,090 respondents said they had curbed their heating use because they were worried about rising energy prices.
Finder utilities expert Mariam Gabaji said the findings were cause for concern.
“A growing number of households can’t even cover the basic necessities anymore, with many going without heating as temperatures start to drop,” Gabaji said.
“A big electricity bill is just too much of a burden for many families right now.”
Victorians were the most likely to be cutting back, despite being one of the coldest states, with more than three-quarters of households (79 per cent) now using their heater less.
Energy bills to soar
Electricity prices increased by between 20 and 25 per cent on July 1, following decisions by energy regulators for customers on default offers.
Finder found NSW households would see their annual electricity bill increase by $397 to $2,308, on average, based on a two-to-three-person household on a standing-offer, single-rate tariff plan.
Victorian households will see their bills increase by $379 to $1,817, on average. South-East Queensland households will see an increase of $322 to $1,910, while South Australian households can expect an increase of $424 to $2,146.
Gabaji urged households to switch to a better electricity plan.
“You should be comparing energy plans at least every 12 months and switching to a better deal when you can. Also, look for plans that are lower than the reference price,” Gabaji said.
“Wearing extra layers and covering windows and door drafts could help protect vulnerable Aussies from dropping temperatures.
“Think about other expenses where you could cut back to prioritise keeping warm, and check on vulnerable neighbours this winter.”
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