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Consumer information
FridgeAssist
 EnergyAustralia has piloted a program to help low income households buy energy efficient fridges at less than half the normal price, and with no upfront cost, through the No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS).
EnergyAustralia surveyed 400 low income households and around 40% of respondents had secondhand fridges.
The company estimates old fridges cost low income households up to $140 year more on their electricity bills. How FridgeAssist works:
The FridgeAssist program is being piloted on the Central Coast and run through the Toukley Neighbourhood Centre.
- People who have a health care card or receive a Centrelink benefit are eligible for the program.
- You will need to pass an income means test through the Neighbourhood Centre.
- You must live in the Wyong or Gosford Local Government Area.
- You can replace an old fridge or buy your first fridge, however only one fridge is allowed per household.
- You can choose one of three new energy efficient Fisher & Paykel fridges with no upfront cost.
- Between $420 and $1040 will be cut from the recommended retail price of those fridges and the balance repaid with a No Interest Loan.
- Centrelink payment deductions can be as low as $10 per fortnight to repay loans.
Anyone interested in participating in this program should call Toukley Neighbourhood Centre on 4396 1555. To find a NILS program in your area visit www.nilsnsw.org.au
Bankruptcy and disconnection
Can your electricity, gas or water be disconnected if you owe money on your accounts but have been declared a bankrupt? The short answer is ‘yes’.
According to the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia “if [a bankrupt has] unpaid accounts relating to housing or essential services such as electricity, telephone or gas the supplier may require payment of the account or a bond for the service to be maintained”.
A bankrupt customer who wants to maintain their energy or water supply will generally need to pay what is owing on their account or establish a payment plan to stay connected.
Customers unable to negotiate a realistic and affordable payment plan with their supplier can contact EWON for help on freecall 1800 246 545.
Consumers with credit, debt and banking issues can phone the Credit and Debt Hotline on 1800 808 488, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm, for financial counselling information, advice and referrals, or visit www.cclcnsw.org.au
New survey ranks GreenPower products
Green Electricity Watch surveys energy retailers and provides a ranking of their GreenPower electricity products. Green Electricity Watch is a coalition of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Total Environment Centre and WWF-Australia. Green Electricity Watch recently released its latest survey results to help consumers who are interested in green energy offers. The organisation advises consumers to:
- buy accredited GreenPower products
- buy GreenPower with the highest number of stars and as close to 100% as you can afford*
For the results of the survey visit www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au For information on GreenPower visit www.greenpower.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 8281 7777.
*Taking up a green energy offer can cost more. According to greenpower.gov.au, it can cost an extra $5.50 per week to purchase 100% GreenPower.
‘No hawkers’ please
If you wish to prevent energy marketers visiting your home you can clearly display a sign stating ‘no hawkers’, ‘no canvassing’ or ‘no door-to-door sales’. The Marketing Code of Conduct requires an energy marketer to abide by such signs.
If you have a sign displayed and an energy marketer visits your home, contact the retailer immediately or call EWON on 1800 246 545.
If you wish to prevent telemarketing calls about energy contracts you can put your name on the Do Not Call Register.
For more information on the Register visit www.donotcall.gov.au or telephone 1300 792 958.
Entering a contract
There have been important changes to the Electricity Supply Regulation which came into effect 1 July 2007, including:
- Customers entering negotiated contracts can now withdraw during the cooling off period orally or in writing.
- Suppliers must issue new negotiated supply contracts (including terms and conditions or ‘disclosure information') within two business days of the contract being entered into.
These are welcome changes which EWON supported in our submissions to government.
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