The Salvation Army has called for households struggling with large energy bills during lockdowns and the cold snap to seek help and not switch off their heaters.

Key points:

  • Business energy demand under lockdowns have dropped 7-9 per cent depending on the state
  • People struggling to pay energy bills urged to reach out before it gets to a “crisis stage”
  • An increase in residential energy usage in the cold is not enough to offset the decline by businesses

It comes as household energy consumption across the nation rises due to bitterly cold weather in some states, home schooling, people working from home, and lockdown rules.

Figures released by national energy supplier Origin reveal residential consumption in NSW has spiked by nearly six per cent due to it having one of the coldest winters in recent years and the extended lockdown.

In South Australia, household usage has risen by four per cent higher than usual for this time of year.

Salvation Army Mount Gambier captain Judy Shaw raised concerns some people could be choosing to turn off their heaters during lockdown and the cold snap due to concerns over energy costs.

“There has been increase in people asking for things like blankets,” Ms Shaw said.

“They’re concerned about how their pets are shivering away as well.”

Judy Shaw calls on people to reach out for help if they are struggling to pay their utility bills.(

ABC South East SA: Sandra Morello

)

Ms Shaw said people should also be mindful of heaters that were cheap to buy but expensive to operate.

“Sometimes the most affordable heating units, such as little fan heaters, are the most expensive to run,” she said.

Ms Shaw urged people in financial hardship to reach out to welfare agencies such as the Salvation Army and not just switch off the heater, given it was a health risk.

“It is important for people to reach out for help before it gets to the crisis stage, ” Ms Shaw said.

Business usage drops

A spokesperson for Origin said the increase in residential electricity demand in South Australia was driven by a combination of cold weather and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns.

“The lockdown has resulted in more people working from home as well as home schooling, which has contributed to an increase in their energy consumption,” the spokesperson said.

“In NSW in particular we’ve had one of the coldest winters in recent years, and coupled with the extended lockdown there have been increases in residential demand of almost six per cent.”

The Salvation Army urged people to reach out for help and not just switch off the heater, given it was a health risk.(

ABC South East SA: Sandra Morello

)

The spokesperson said the increase in residential usage was not enough to offset the decline in usage by small and large businesses, many of which had reduced operations or have closed altogether during lockdown.

According to Origin, business demand had declined between seven and nine per cent depending on the state, with NSW — where the lockdown had been in place the longest — experiencing the largest declines.

Shop around for deals

The Australian Energy Regulator is encouraging household consumers to shop around for a better energy deal.

A spokesperson said the regulator had an Energy Made Easy website, which offered a free energy price comparison service for households and small businesses.

According to AER figures, the average residential debt for gas and electricity at the end of March this year was $1,021, a $195 increase on the same time last year.