The most energy-efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home is to use your reverse-cycle air conditioner. Even the least efficient aircon uses far less energy than electric resistance heating. But buying the least efficient air conditioner is a bad idea. You’ll be better off with a highly efficient one — or at least the most efficient one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. [Read more…]
Texans Get Screwed Over By Electricity Retailers In Heatwave
Last week Texas suffered through a stinking hot heatwave.
And just like the polar vortex five months ago, we saw an excellent example of villainous electricity retailer behaviour we must never allow in Australia. [Read more…]
Wind & Solar Power Use Far Less Land Than Coal
The lowest cost way to replace the coal power now providing 63% of Australia’s electricity is to replace it with a combination of wind and solar generation plus energy storage. [Read more…]
How Well Does Solar Work Through Winter?
Over the next week or so I’ll write some articles busting solar myths because, if I’ve learned anything from 25 years of internet use, it’s way easier to complain about something than go through the effort of doing something useful. Today I’m tackling solar energy output in winter in Australia. [Read more…]
Will A Demand Tariff Improve Home Battery Payback?
Last week I was contacted by a Queenslander named Terry. He was chuffed about the electricity bill savings he was getting by using a demand tariff with his home battery. [Read more…]
Slow Cookers & Solar — A Perfect Combination (Free Bonus Recipe!)
Winter is coming. The cold month of June is almost upon us. In Adelaide where I dwell, winter brings grey skies and decreased solar output. The cold, dark of the evening arrives early and brings a time for family, fellowship, and food.
Now is the perfect time for me to write about slow cookers and how useful they are for solar households. [Read more…]
Regional Queensland Has Electricity Retailer Choice. But Which Is Cheapest?
Do you live in regional Queensland? Do you think your only choice of electricity retailer is Ergon Energy? Then I have exciting news for you. You can choose who bills you for electricity. [Read more…]
AER Ruling: Victorian DNSPs Must Offer Flat Tariff To All. Except EV Owners.
I have just read the Australian Energy Regulator’s FINAL DECISION Statement on Victorian Energy Distribution for 2021-2026. According to the document, Victorian electricity distributors will be required to: [Read more…]
Victoria’s Electric Car Tax Robs Peter To Pay Peter
Victoria is set to become the only place in the world to de-incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles with an electric car tax for every kilometre driven.
Victoria will also introduce a $3,000 incentive to encourage buying electric cars.
After coming up with this brilliant move, I don’t see why the Victorian Government should stop there. [Read more…]
Inflexible Fossil Fuels: Why Starting And Stopping Coal & Gas Power Costs Big Bucks
Coal power is gradually being driven out of business by renewables. It simply can’t compete on price. Most people know coal and gas power stations have to pay for fuel while sunshine and wind are free, but not many know how much it costs to start and stop fossil fuel generators. [Read more…]
Currently Raging Debates: