As the winter months approach, many apartment residents in Queensland may be concerned about the rising costs of energy. With power prices set to increase significantly, it’s more important than ever to find ways to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills. Fortunately, there are many simple tips and tricks you…
Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations can significantly affect power consumption in an apartment building, depending on the number of EVs being charged, the charging speed as well as the building’s existing electrical system. EV ownership is expected to surge in the years to come, driven by falling costs, greater model choice and availability, and more…
Many strata residents are struggling as gas and power bills soar – but how high could they go? In Queensland power bills are expected to rise by up to $220 a year, or 12.6 per cent, in south-east Queensland, according to the AER. In regional Queensland — or the rest of the state, apart from…
With rising cost-of-living pressures combined with soaring energy prices, apartment owners and bodies corporate are looking at ways to reduce their bills. An easy way to save money on bills is to look closely at how much energy you’re using. Smart tech doesn’t just make your apartment and building more convenient but helps you save…
July 1 is a huge day for changing electricity prices and how it might impact your energy bills. Australia is in a perfect energy storm with wholesale electricity prices 6 times higher than they were in April 2021. These make up 30-40% of a household’s power bill. From 1 July, hundreds of thousands of Australians…
Don’t let the winter chill turn your apartment from a comfortable sanctuary into a fridge. According to the Energex website, heating and cooling account for a massive 25 per cent of the average household’s energy use, so it makes sense to cut it where you can. So, how do you keep your apartment warm during the…
Household appliances can account for around 30% of household energy use. Many appliances still use power when they’re in standby mode – and this can add up to significantly to your electricity use. Some of us are obsessive with switching off empty sockets. Others will have a myriad of electrical devices on stand-by without giving…
Summer is a time to let your har down but with above-average temperatures expected through the season, it’s also becoming a time to sweat over the power bill that comes after keeping your apartment cool. We have put together some tips from cooling and sustainability experts to help reduce your electricity during the heat and…
Spring is here and with the warm weather back you are going to want to make sure your air-conditioner is operating at maximum efficiency and not unnecessarily adding onto your energy bill. Ideally, we all want to keep our homes cool and comfortable, but without wasting energy and spending a small fortune on cooling costs.…
Spring is here, and it is the perfect time to cut down costs on energy. Without the generally high heating costs of winter or the constant need for air conditioning and fans in summer brings, spring presents an opportunity to reduce energy costs and save on your bill. We’ve put together some tips and tricks…
There are a whole bunch of reasons why your electricity bills will change and they might be things you don’t even notice. To assist you in understanding why there might be variations with your power bills we’ve put together a checklist highlighting the most common reasons that will change your bill. Changing Seasons Seasons and…
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND LOCKDOWN LIFTED – NEW RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE UNTIL 22 AUGUST, 4PM. The Queensland government is ended its week-long snap lockdown at 4pm on Sunday 8 August for 11 local government areas in south-east Queensland. The local government areas leaving lockdown are : Brisbane City; Moreton Bay; Gold Coast; Ipswich; Lockyer Valley; Logan City; Noosa Shire; Redland…
Different areas in Queensland have different tariffs (your rate paid for energy usage) available to them. Regional Queenslanders may have limited choice of tariffs, as the market is regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority. Residents in South-East Queensland however have more options when it comes to tariffs. Keep in mind that the names of different…
How does the electricity market work in QLD? The electricity market in QLD is made up of both Distributors and Providers (also known as a Retailer) Distributors Distributors supply energy to your home. In Queensland energy distributors include: Energex (South-East QLD), Ergon Energy (regional QLD), and Essential Energy (areas around Goondiwindi, close to QLD/NSW border). Electricity…
Energy is a big deal in strata communities, with utilities making up between 10% – 30% of the running costs of an average strata building. So, the argument is there to invest in future savings now, by spending a little. There are a variety of ways body corporates can save money and reduce energy usage.…
With another lockdown announced for most of QLD you will probably find yourself working from home again. By spending more time at home, higher electricity bills can be expected. However, there are many effective ways to save energy when working from home. If you’re home now doubles as your office, these tips could help keep…
An embedded network is an electricity network between connection points (units, shops, caravans or otherwise) which is not part of the main electricity network. In Queensland, there are the main power and water grids (on-street powerlines and water pipes) which supply utilities to houses, unit blocks and businesses. An embedded network is the smaller network…
With the temperature dropping, the risk of fire in your apartment increases as Queenslander’s dust off the electric blankets, pull out the portable heaters and rev up the fireplace again to stay warm. The winter months typically see the highest number of structure fires compared to any other period of the year. There are a…
As Electronic Vehicles (EV) become more prominent in society the need to have readily available charging stations is increasing. It is probable that strata Owners, Tenants and Visitors will one day view charging stations within apartment buildings as the norm. While the demand for charging stations is currently limited, it is important that bodies corporate…
Don’t let the winter chill turn your apartment from a comfortable sanctuary into a fridge. According to the Energex website, heating and cooling account for a massive 25 per cent of the average household’s energy use, so it makes sense to cut it where you can. So, how do you keep your apartment warm during the…
As the days get shorter and the pre-winter chill sets in, it can be all too tempting to crack out the heater and start cosying up. But before you grab that space heater or dial up the thermostat, consider that heating is one of the biggest power guzzlers in your home. Those extra running costs…
Still in the midst of a global pandemic, many Queenslanders may be feeling the strain of the bills stacking up. But ignoring the bills in the mailbox will not make them go away. Learning how to prioritise and manage your power bills and getting into the habit of paying them on time will not only…
Rooftop solar panels are becoming increasingly popular and can help lower electricity costs and act in part as an insurance policy against ever increasing electricity rates. It is possible to install solar panels in strata titled buildings, however, for many strata properties there are numerous barriers and hoops to jump through for lot owners to…
While the weather is still warm, winter has a habit of sneaking up on us. Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your apartment for winter when electricity consumption is generally at its highest and to look for ways to maximise energy efficiency and minimise costs. By following some simple tips, you can lessen the…
When it comes to tips on saving energy there is a lot of misinformation out there and many assumptions that are way out of date when it comes to running modern appliances. Here are some common energy myths that you shouldn’t believe and why: Myth 1: Keeping a Fan On Will Cool Empty Rooms A…
Summer is a time to let your har down but with above-average temperatures expected through the season, it’s also becoming a time to sweat over the power bill that comes after keeping your apartment cool. We have put together some tips from cooling and sustainability experts to help reduce your electricity during the heat and…
Electricity bills can sometimes seem complicated. If you’re struggling to make sense of all the details on your bill, it can help to have a more in-depth look at all the aspects of your bill. The Queensland Government has published the below information through their “Energy Made Easy” service. Here’s what your electricity bill covers,…
