Energy Saving Tips
Save energy in the kitchen
Thaw frozen food in your fridge, as frozen food helps to cool the fridge and will also reduce cooking times. Your fridge is always on, making it one of your most expensive appliances. Make sure the door seal is tight and free from gaps so cold air can’t escape. An ideal fridge temperature is 4 or 5 degrees and an ideal freezer temperature is minus 15 to minus 18 degrees Celsius. If you have a second fridge or freezer, only turn it on when you need it.
When you are cooking, use the microwave when you can – it uses much less energy than an electric oven.
If you use the stove, keep lids on your pots enabling you to reduce the heat.
Don’t overfill your kettle, just boil the amount of water you need.
Appliances energy saving tips
Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water. Washing clothes at 30 degrees C as opposed to 40 degrees C, uses 40 percent less energy and is generally as efficient, or how about trying the various cold washing brands on the market and complete entire laundry loads in cold water. Use the economy cycle on your dishwasher and only run it when it’s full.
Gadgets (Standby Power wastage)
Did you know your phone charger is still using energy even when your phone is not attached? Up to 10% of your electricity could be used by gadgets and appliances that are on standby.
Adjust your thermostat
In winter heating can account for over 30% of your bill. Set your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees. Every degree above 20 can add 10% to your heating bill. In summer, set your thermostat to 26 degrees or above.
Install a smart thermostat which can be operated from your smart phone enabling you to control and monitor room temperature from anywhere
Shut doors and close curtains
Heating or cooling the whole house can be expensive. Where possible, shut doors to areas you are not using and only heat or cool the rooms you spend the most time in.
Make sure your curtains or blinds seal your windows properly, and keep your curtains closed at night, and during the day when there is a heat-wave. Block draughts around doors and windows to stop air leaking out, or in.
Wear the right clothes
Dress for the temperature. Layering clothes and wearing wool helps keep you warm in winter, and means you can turn your heater down.
Faults and Emergencies
IF YOU BELIEVE THERE IS RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT EMERGENCY SERVICES ON 000
Your first step should be to check whether the electricity outage affects only your apartment. Do your neighbours have power? Is there still power in common areas?
If the interruption has affected only your property.
Check that all the switches in the switchboard are in the ‘on’ position and/or contact your preferred electrician for assistance if you are unsure.
If the outage extends to neighbouring properties.
It is most likely a network supply problem. distributers do their best to avoid interruptions, but from time to time something may affect your power supply. Such disruptions can be caused by storms, heatwaves or local maintenance work.
Please contact your local distributor for information. Contact numbers and website links for the distributers are below. Your Local distributor’s website also contains frequently updated information on current outages as well as any planned maintenance.(Your local distributor is listed on your electricity bill)
Ausgrid: phone 13 13 88
Endeavour Energy: phone 13 10 03
http://www.endeavourenergy.com.au
Essential Energy: phone 13 20 80
FAQ's
What is an 'Embedded Network'?
Embedded networks allow Electricity to be purchased in bulk. When bulk buying energy this can be bought for a cheaper price and then on-sold to tenants within a building.
Embedded networks are established to aggregate the energy consumed within a complex to a single metered point. Then as normal individual meters measure tenant consumption.
Where can an embedded network be established?
An embedded network can be created within a multi-tenanted environment. Such as,
- Apartment Buildings
- Retirement Villages
- Shopping Centres
- Educational Facilities
- Housing Estates
- Industrial and Commercial Estates and Complexes
What are the benefits for me?
The on-selling rates will be the lowest available in the market place and not just for the first 12 months, like most energy retailers but for the entire time you choose to stay with us. The NRG Company aims to provide a superior customer service to you as tenants.
Managing your electricity when moving in or out of your apartment is also a lot easier, just a simple email or phone call. Just tell us the day and the time if you wish, and we will take care of everything.
Your consumer rights are covered by the Energy Retail Code, as normal.
What if I don’t want to sign up?
There is no obligation to join the network and as such all residents/tenants are free to choose their retailer.
If you do not wish to move to the Embedded Network, you will need to advise your energy provider of the embedded network to be implemented. Your energy provider should then remove the network costs from your account (this is referred to as an ‘Energy Only’ billing arrangement) – as these network costs will then be charged in a separate account from the Embedded Network.
There are some retailers who will not allow for this variation to occur in their billing systems and if this is the case you can contact us and we will can assist you on this issue. If your retailer still refuses to remove these costs, the resident will be in a position to claim these costs back from the supplier each quarter.
If this is also refused even after we have spoken with them, then the resident will need to the Energy Ombudsman directly.
What is the role of The NRG Company?
The NRG Company would manage the meter readings, billing, reconciliations, Compliance reporting to regulatory authorities and customer relations and guidance so that the electricity on-selling is conducted professionally.
Payment by tenants for their electricity usage would be made directly to The NRG Company via a wide range of methods.
Who will issue bills and collect payments my payments?
The NRG company will handle all aspects of the billing and accounting process.
When and how will I be billed?
The NRG Company will send residents a bill each quarter as usual. Each bill you receive will be based on an actual meter reading.
What does the bill include?
For most customers, your bill from The NRG Company will include:
A charge for the actual electricity you use;
The Service to Property Charge also known as Meter charge or Network charge, as per normal.
The NRG Company complies with the Energy Retail Code, which makes provision for disconnection and reconnection of consumers in certain circumstances.
If you choose to remain with your existing energy retailer, the bill you receive from The NRG Company will include network charges only.
When will my agreement start?
Your agreement will start once you have registered with us and entered into the electricity supply agreement contract as usual. The NRG Company will advise you when the embedded network has commenced and supply to your residence has been established. Billing will occur via The NRG Company.
How does the changeover occur to the embedded network?
The NRG Company will manage this entire process. There is nothing for you to do. We will send out notification to everyone once the embedded network is ready to commence.
Can I receive a ‘Pay on Time’ discount?
The Network will work hard to ensure that you have been provided with the best rate available in the market. As such you will receive a rate that takes into consideration all discounts normally offered by other retailers.
I hold a Concession Card; does this affect my account?
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card or a Repatriation Health Card (Gold Card) issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, you may be eligible for government-funded concessions on your electricity bills. Please contact the Department of Veteran Affairs to discuss how to receive the concession.
How Can I Question a bill?
The NRG Company will review a bill which you dispute. If you are not satisfied with the review, you may ask for a meter test. If your meter is inaccurate, The NRG Company will adjust your bill accordingly and there will be no charge for the test. If the meter is accurate, you must pay the test cost and the amount outstanding.
If you are still not happy with your bill, you may request the Owners Corporation/facility manager to set up a Grievance for you on this issue, contact the Energy Ombudsman for assistance, or consumer affairs who are available to assist with such queries.
Final Bills
If you wish to disconnect your service, The NRG Company will require a minimum three (3) business days’ notice and a forwarding address for your bill, if you are moving permanently.
If you do not give the required notice, you will remain responsible for the electricity used (and for meeting any other customer obligations) until three business days after you give the required notice, or until a new customer has an account established in their name at the premises, whichever occurs first.
Access to Information
You have a right to timely, accurate information on all issues related to the supply of electricity to your property.
Honouring your Privacy and information
Your privacy is very important to The NRG Company who have been working on behalf of the Owners Corporation on this project. Your private information will be respected at all times. You have the right for personal information to be kept confidential, unless otherwise allowed through legislation and regulation. The NRG Company have undertaken to keep all information received confidential and it will not pass any information on to a third party without your permission, or unless The NRG Company is required or permitted to do so by law.
