Are you in bill shock?

We’re hearing reports that many Tasmanians have been shocked at the size of their latest electricity bill.

Your bill may be higher than usual due to several factors related to COVID-19.

Aurora had been estimating bills, due to the restrictions placed on meter reading earlier this year. Bills were typically under-estimated, so now it’s catch-up time.

Many people have been working from home, or had their children or additional family members at home, so heaters may have been left on for much longer than usual. Even all that beautiful baking you’ve been doing can make a difference.

We suggest that if you are in ‘bill shock’, you visit our website for financial advice and to book a free appointment with one of our friendly financial counsellors.

A financial counsellor can help you understand your options so that you can get back on your feet.

Our financial counsellors provide an independent and confidential service via the National Debt Helpline – ring 1800 007 007 today and put your mind at rest.

Simple steps

We’ve put together this list of handy hints to protect you against bill shock in the next winter quarter:

• Don’t leave the heat pump going 24/7. Switch it off when you go to bed; it will only take 30 minutes or so to warm the room back up again. Set heating between 18 – 20 degrees Celsius. You use 10% more power for every degree increase.
• Is the door draughty? Head to your local hardware store and purchase a door snake.
•  Only heat the rooms that you use.
• The cheapest form of heating is an electric throw blanket.
• A 2400 Watt fan heater costs $57cts/hour to run.
• Replace standard light bulbs with LED ones – they use 75% less energy.
• Have you notified Aurora that you have a Centrelink concession card? The discount is worth over $100/bill.

How Aurora Energy can help

Aurora has established a $5 million COVID-19 customer support program that includes bill relief, waiving fees and charges, freezing debt and payment plans.

This high bill checklist will help you to understand why your bill might be higher than usual.