Saving money on energy bills.

I received our gas bill yesterday: $$396.41 for 3 months. We have reduced our consumption compared to the same period last year:

This account: 252 mjoules a day
Last year: 345 mjoules a day

So almost 100 mjoules a day reduction!
Pretty good considering it has been much colder this winter and we have had snow on and off for the last 4 weeks!

Our hot water, heating and cooking are all gas. These are the changes we made to reduce our gas bill:

• lowered the heater to 4-5 instead of 5-6 setting
• wear more clothes inside, and use a knee rug
• turn heater off in the middle of the day unless really cold/snowing
• take shorter showers (we tried a water saver and HATED it so all agreed to less time in the shower instead)
• more efficient use of the oven, do all baking at the same time, once a week
• more stovetop, crockpot/frypan cooking instead of oven cooking of meats
• closing doors & heavy curtains and draught stoppers under doors

Prior to 2002 we could not choose our energy supplier in Australia. Now the industry has been deregulated and in NSW and some other states households can choose who provides their gas and electricity. I have never looked into changing or comparing deals. So I have decided to get quotes and work out if more savings are possible with a different supplier.
I have spent the last hour filling in quote forms and comparing tariff rates and my head is aching with numbers & joules!

It will be interesting to see what the quotes come back with.

This site is excellent and has all the links you need for anything to do with energy supply in Australia.

Choosing Energy Supplier

Later I know I have to tackle the phones.....

Pass the panadol....