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For immediate release
16 November, 2005
Winter heating causes bill boil over
Some home owners are only now finding out
the cost of running oil filled heaters over winter.
Electricity and Gas Complaints Commissioner
Judi Jones says her office has received a number of inquiries
and complaints after the reality of winter heating hits customers'
bills.
"Customers have had bills based on estimates
over winter and then the catch up bill from an actual meter
reading has come and it is unexpectedly high," Ms Jones says.
"Estimates are based on the previous year's
consumption so customers who have changed their heating from
the previous winter may have been surprised by the increase
in costs.
"My office has found that oil filled heaters
are often the culprit. They are cheap to buy and safe to leave
on for long periods of time. People who have asthma or who
have children with asthma are particularly attracted by this.
However, while they are cheap to buy, they are not cheap to
run and if they are left on for long periods of time, they
will affect your electricity bill."
Ms Jones says unfortunately people who don't
have much money to spend are the ones lured into purchasing
cheap heaters but this may be a false economy. A more expensive
heater or a dehumidifier could end up saving them considerably
in the long run, but the up front expense is of course, much
higher.
Customers are also lured by thermostats that
offer the promise of turning the heater off and on according
to temperature requirements. But, says Ms Jones, the thermostat
often only regulates the temperature of the heater, not the
room.
She says while oil filled heaters are an
excellent form of heating, customers need to be aware of hidden
costs. To get more information about energy efficiency, labelling
and standards of appliances, customers can look at the website
of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (www.eeca.org.nz).
Pre-paid meters also offer customers the
opportunity to monitor and control their electricity use according
to their budget. People interested in a pre-paid meter should
check with their electricity company and ensure they get all
the costs explained - installation, $ per unit (which may
be higher than standard charges) and removal.
ENDS
For more information or for electronic
images of Judi Jones please contact:
Josie Vidal
Communications/Publicity Officer
Electricity Complaints Commission.
(04) 914 4526
0274 757 305
e-mail: j.vidal@egcomplaints.co.nz
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