Free kits to help households save energy and money

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson has launched free kits for householders to help them save energy and save money.

Minister Wilson is urging householders to get Energywise to save on their electricity bills and help tackle climate change.

“The new kits have everything a household needs to work out where their energy is being wasted and what steps they can take to conserve it,” he said.

“The kits have something for everybody - simple, free and low-cost energy-saving tips, right through to practical activities that help households work out which appliances are using the most energy.

“We can all play a role in tackling climate change. Some steps may be big, some small, but together they have the potential to save tens of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

“I was reminded of this last week, when ABC Radio read out a blog from Rebecca, a listener.

I was impressed with what Rebecca had to say: “After receiving a $500 electricity bill and hitting the roof, I took some personal responsibility and turned all my aircons on standby, turned my television off at the wall when we were finished watching. I turn lights off that are not needed. My last electricity bill was $360, and I used about two tonnes less carbon.

She went on to say: “I think we should take a look at what we do and take personal responsibility. If we all did it, surely the world would be healthier as would be our savings accounts.”

Energy conservation tips in the kit include:

·turn off appliances at the wall to cut standby power use

·insulate your home

·turn off second fridges when not needed

·fit low-flow shower heads to save hot water.

“Because we can’t see energy being used in our homes, we can’t see it escaping right under our nose. Take standby power – it’s a waste of energy.

“By switching appliances off at the wall the average household can save up to $100 a year.

“We all need to look at how we can do the same things using fewer resources – which is what energy conservation is all about.

“We estimate that a typical household can quite easily make a 10 per cent saving on its energy use,” he said.

The Energywise kit is part of the Bligh Government’s Consumer Action Plan to help households, especially pensioners, meet the cost of their energy bills.

“We know that pensioners and low income earners are doing it tough. That’s why we increased the State Government’s rebate for pensioners and seniors when electricity prices rose.

“We’re also spending $450,000 over 3 years to fund a consumer advocacy service for the Queensland Council of Social Services to conduct energy consumer research.

“We will deploy a departmental officer to work with QCOSS and other key consumer groups to set up the new service. It’s about giving them a voice – a say in their future.

“We want to hear from the heartland because no one knows more than pensioners themselves what it’s really like to make ends meet.

“We’re also providing a record $650 million for Ergon Energy this year to subsidise the cost of electricity for households and businesses in regional Queensland.

“And we’ve read the riot act to those electricity retailers that wrongly charged some pensioners for the ambulance levy and failed to pass on the State government’s rebate. The Regulator has levied heavy fines.

“We told them in no uncertain terms to lift their game. Independent auditors have checked their billing systems.

“We’re on the side of the consumer and we will continue to look after the interests of everyday Queenslanders, especially those who are doing it tough,” Mr Wilson said.

To request a free Energywise kit, call 3224 7527 or complete an online request form at www.energywise.qld.gov.au

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819