Life Begins At.....
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/47118
Consumers slash spending as power price hikes hit hard As electricity prices increase across NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and WA the results of a Newspoll survey commissioned by Solahart, of more than 1200 adults aged 18 to 64 found that: • 96% of participants feel rising power bills will add pressure to the household budget, • 79% of consumers will put the brakes on purchasing household items such as furniture or electrical goods, • 76% will slash holiday spending and • 73% will go without new clothes. Stephen Cranch, National Manager at Solahart, Australia's leading solar water heater manufacturer, said the hike in power prices clearly has consumers scrambling for ways to cope as energy surges up the list of household burdens. "For home owners in New South Wales alone, electricity bills will go up by between $216 and $316 per year, while in several other States there will also be notable increases," he said. "The most effective way to cut your energy expenditure and lessen the impact of these power price rises is to become more energy effi cient and often the best way to do that is to replace your electric water heater with a solar alternative." Electric water heaters account for around 25% of a household's energy use and switching to a solar water heater can reduce water heating energy consumption by up to 50-90% and decrease a household's harmful CO² emissions. "From 2012, the Federal Government plans to phase out electric water heaters which means households needing to replace an electric hot water system will be required to install an environmentally friendly alternative such as a solar water heater or heat pump, making now the perfect time to go solar," said Cranch. The Federal Government is currently offering generous rebates to eligible home-owners who swap their electric water heater for a solar hot water system; however these incentives won't be around forever so consumers are advised to get in quick. A GREAT INVESTMENT Replacing your electric water heater with a Solahart is an investment that really makes sense. Not only will you enjoy big savings in your hot water energy use of up to 50 – 90%* every year, you can also take advantage of generous government incentives to help you make the switch. And as energy costs continue to soar - future returns are looking even better. Switch to a Solahart and reduce your energy use for good 1300 202 801 www.solahart.com.au *Energy savings of 50% to 90% shown are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling. Savings and incentives will vary depending upon your location, type of Solahart system installed, orientation and inclination of the solar collectors, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Maximum financial savings off your hot water bill are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on continuous tariff. THE RETIREE SUMMER 149 SH871_132190