Energy Archives - Page 8 of 21 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

7 August , 2018

Queensland consumers want changes to proposals for National Energy Consumer Framework

The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) wants the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to change its proposed new rule in the National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) that will require energy retailers to provide customers with prior notification of price changes for many types of contracts. Although the QCA’s submission to the AEMC supports most of the…

18 July , 2018

Public comment invited on new refrigeration appliance standard

On 14 June 2018, Standards Australia’s draft AS/NZS 4474:2018 Household refrigerating appliances – Energy labelling and minimum energy performance standards requirements standard was published for public comment. This standard embodies several years of work by members of the EL-059 Committee that includes E3 Program representatives and other key stakeholders. Once implemented, this standard will bring into effect…

12 July , 2018

Consumer advocates welcome ACCC Final Report on electricity market

Consumer advocates have welcomed the findings of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report, released yesterday. Energy Consumers Australia Acting CEO Lynne Gallagher said the final report confirms what consumers have been saying: that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for…

10 July , 2018

Australian Energy Regulator puts consumer interests at centre of rate of return decision

The Australian Energy Regulator has today put the long-term interests of households and small businesses at the centre of its draft decision on the allowed ‘rate of return’ for energy networks, Lynne Gallagher, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Energy Consumers Australia said today. “Energy prices, especially electricity prices, are too high in Australia and network…

20 June , 2018

Consumer advocate groups call for action by energy retailers and regulators

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has admitted that competition among energy retailers is not delivering ‘expected benefits’ in its annual retail energy competition review. Consumer Action Law Centre and PIAC’s Energy and Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) are calling for stronger action by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working…

29 May , 2018

Validating a solar quote

Dr Martin Gill reviews a solar installers analysis suggesting a strata complex would recover the cost of investing in a solar system in “just over 4 years” – Dr Gill’s review of the installer’s analysis raises multiped issues, read more here. The Clean Energy Council maintains a list of Approved solar installers. These installers voluntarily agree to a…

16 May , 2018

Phasing out inefficient halogen light bulbs in Australia

There will be significant savings to households on their electricity bills due to the planned phasing out of inefficient halogen light bulbs. The average Australian household will be around $650 better off over 10 years by changing from inefficient halogen lamps to minimum standard LED lamps. On 20 April 2018, the COAG Energy Council agreed…

7 May , 2018

Can I save on energy?

CHOICE is launching canisaveonenergy.com.au to help people tap into hundreds of dollars in electricity savings. “We’ve decided to intervene in the electricity market and cut out the commercial switching sites which are paid by energy companies to sell their products,” says CHOICE Head of Media Tom Godfrey. “Unfortunately, the electricity market has been stitched up by cosy…

3 May , 2018

Stop blaming consumers for electricity market failure

Dr Martin Gill discusses how electricity retailers continue to justify their poor behaviour by claiming consumers have a choice. This is untrue. As an essential service, consumers must purchase electricity. Consumer rights to access this essential service, at a sensible price, should be protected and not turned into a “game” with a few winners and…

16 March , 2018

Queensland leads the way in energy storage

Energy-savvy Queenslanders with home battery storage can put $50 in their pocket from today by signing up to Australia’s first battery storage database. Queensland Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today announced the home battery database, which will also improve safety during emergencies. “Households with solar panels are starting to install batteries to store their solar…

29 November , 2017

Dr Gill on Simplifying Tariff Comparisons

The following piece is an excerpt from a piece by Dr. Martin Gill, CFA’s representative on a number of Standards Australia Technical Committees on energy. Retailers should be required to provide sufficient information on bills (and tariff contracts) to ensure consumers can easily compare tariffs. It is also recommended a review be undertaken to determine…

19 October , 2017

Consumer Advocate Groups welcome ACCC’s Preliminary Report on retail electricity prices

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) and the Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) have welcomed the ACCC’s Preliminary Report for its Electricity Supply & Prices Inquiry. In his Preliminary Report, ACCC chairman Rod Sims has confirmed that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for money outcomes for consumers. The QCA says this confirms what…