Shocking electricity bills inspire complaints about power pricing however the real culprit may be closer to home.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) states that Territorians have the third lowest electricity tariff but use more electricity than any other Australian state or territory. 

The harsh Northern Territory climate means that residents tend to use air conditioning for large parts of the year with the build-up and wet season making things particularly uncomfortable, Mr Stuart Pearce CEO of Jacana Energy said.

“There are many reasons why electricity bills can be higher during the build-up or across the festive and summer seasons and each little addition to energy consumption, adds up.  

“Seasonal spikes in customers’ power bills can be attributed to visitors coming to stay as well as children and parents being home during school holidays.

“The intense humidity means air conditioners work harder and run for longer periods of time, pool pumps work harder, fridge doors are opened and closed numerous times a day and televisions and computers are often on.  

“We also tend to do more cooking over the festive season, which not only means more energy is consumed, but the added heat in the room means the air conditioner works harder.

“All these things contribute to higher energy consumption and therefore, higher electricity bills,” Mr Pearce said.

It is also important if comparing bill against bill, customers look at the periods which they cover. Usage during the dry season is lower than the wet, therefore to understand increases in cost, customers should look at the consumption amount on the current bill and the same period in the previous year.

“Jacana Energy has a range of solutions to help customers manage their electricity use,” Mr Pearce said.

“The most recent initiative is the introduction of peak and off peak tariff for residential customers.

“We have lots of practical ways to save on our website too, including an online Virtual Energy Audit and some handy tips such as running the air conditioner between 24 and 27 degrees and using the fan,” he said.

Customers can find out more about this and many other energy and money saving ideas at www.jacanaenergy.com.au/save
Jacana Energy is continuing to look at new ways to help customers manage their electricity bill such as the implementation of weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. Information on this will be available on the website in the near future.

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Media Contact
Suzanne Gulikers
Media Relations Manager
0401 117 599

Our reference  
AEMO’s 2014 Residential Electricity Price Trend report 2013/14

The Northern Territory electricity tariff is the third lowest across Australia however consumption is the highest.

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