Electricity costs vary by $100

Peninsula residents could save an average of $100 on their annual electricity bill if they switched to a supplier other than Energy Australia, according to an independent energy comparison service.

Switchwise is an internet-based service that allows every householders to compare electricity and gas providers.

Founder Mr Shaun Johnson said the website provided a free independent power and gas price comparison and supplier switching service for consumers.

Mr Johnson said that by entering in a postcode and answering a few simple questions on current energy usage a list of energy and gas providers was provided with their plans and the savings that could be made.

"For postcodes 2256 and 2257 an average annual power bill would be around $1400 per annum at the regulated tariffs that apply from July 1.

"This is based on average usage of 6470 kwh per year, which is an often quoted industry figure," Mr Johnson said.

"Obviously each household varies significantly from this average depending upon house size, no of people living there, and whether or not they have gas supply.

"There are currently 10 power companies supplying the Peninsula - currently there is an opportunity to save around $100 by comparing and switching to a supplier other than the incumbent Energy Australia.

"Switching suppliers is free and can be done online via our website.

"Switching suppliers does not actually involve changing any power cables or meters (these are owned by different companies called distributors) - it is just about changing the company that sends you bills - there are no physical changes required so there is no risk of losing power.

"It is the ultimate commodity so there is no sense in paying one company more than another for the same electricity but different looking bills."

According to figures released by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal earlier this year, average annual prices for energy would increase by 10 per cent for Energy Australia customers and rising by 36 per cent by 2012/13.

IPART also confirmed that electricity prices would change as a result of the Federal Government delay in implementing the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

"From July 1, a typical residential Energy Australia customer will pay a further $126 per annum - or an extra $2.40 per week," IPART acting chairman and chief executive officer Mr Jim Cox said.

Email, 13 Jul 2010 Shaun Johnson, Switchwise Pty Ltd Press release, 28 Apr 2010 James Cox, IPART