4 May 2015
Victorians cut back on heating
Victorians worried about ballooning gas bills fear shivering through winter.
Almost two in three answering a One Big Switch gas campaign survey revealed they planned to cut back on heating to save on costs.
An alarming one in three admitted they had not used as much heating as needed for comfort so they could afford gas bills.
And two in five had struggled to pay accounts on time.
The poll follows warnings average Victorian households with central heating are set to shell out $1000 for gas over the next six months.
The One Big Switch campaign, launched in partnership with the Herald Sun, aims to unlock a discount gas offer through people power to ease bill pain.
It is more than half way to the target of 10,000 Victorian households to sign up, obligation-free.
Campaign director Joel Gibson said: “Something’s wrong when a basic utility costs so much that people can’t afford to be comfortable at night.
“The first thing we can do to help these people is ensure they’re not paying more for their gas than they have to.”
The Parry family of Richmond are keen to try to save on gas bills as this winter’s cost crunch looms.
“I have noticed prices have been going up tremendously in recent years,” mum Josephine said.
Confusion appeared to restrain many consumers from seeking a cheaper plan, the poll suggested.
Three-quarters felt bamboozled trying to compare offers, according to the survey of more than 2600 people.
Grattan Institute energy program director Tony Wood said gas heating, cooking and hot water running costs had reached a “tipping point” compared with electricity.
News Corp Australia, owner of the Herald Sun, is a One Big Switch commercial partner and will receive a commission for households switching to a resulting deal.