TodayTonight -

Amazing electricity price differences

New research shows amazing price differences people are paying for electricity across the nation … with consumers in Sydney (Darlinghurst) paying $1,218.63 for a typical family of 2 adults and 2 kids using 7,500 kilowatts (at regulated peak prices) versus the same family paying $1,729.52 for the same electricity use in Port Adelaide.

Sydney has some of the cheapest prices. Adelaide and Melbourne have some of the most expensive.

New research just released by Switchselect.com shows the remarkable price differences that people are paying for electricity across Australia.

Switchselect.com is a major new free service to show Australians how to get cheaper electricity and gas and can instantly compare electricity or gas suppliers for consumers and potentially show them cheaper and better deals.

The remarkable new research shows that for a family of 2 adults and 2 children consuming 7,500 kilowatts of electricity per year (based on current regulated prices) are paying over $500 more per year for electricity in Adelaide in comparison to the Gold Coast, Canberra and even Sydney.

The research shows that consumers in Sydney, on the Gold Coast and in parts of Queensland are enjoying substantially cheaper prices for electricity in comparison to consumers in Melbourne and also Adelaide.

A family of 2 adults and 2 kids using 7,500 kilowatts of electricity per year (based on current regulated peak prices) is paying very different prices depending on location and Switchselect.com says it’s remarkable to see how much variation is going on.

The research shows that 2 adults and 2 children using 7,500 kilowatts pay:

$1,218.63 in Darlinghurst, Sydney as well as Five Dock
$1,252.96 in Canberra
$1,296.93 in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane as well as Ipswich, the Gold Coast and also Townsville

Yet the same 2 adults and 2 kids using 7,500 kilowatts pay:

$1,372.90 in Wollongong in NSW
$1,373.35 in Wangaratta in Victoria
$1,376.98 in Port Melbourne
$1,432.75 in St Kilda, Melbourne
$1,448.43 in Williamstown, Melbourne
$1,525.88 in Altona, Melbourne (the same price also applies to Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong in Victoria)
$1,592.14 in Dubbo
$1,729.52 in Port Adelaide and also in Mt. Gambier, SA

Leon Hayes – co-founder of Switchselect.com – said “Having worked extensively in the UK for over 5 years and watch deregulation happen there, it was clear to us that things needed a shake up. The fact is that electricity prices are set to rise. People are spending billions and billions of dollars on electricity.”

“With hundreds of thousands of Australians hurting badly under mortgage stress, the fact is people want the best deal for their money. We estimate that a family of 2 adults and 2 kids could potentially save at least $150 a year on its power bills by shopping around to get a better deal. Obviously we are making the industry change because people can really see what’s happening for themselves – and then make their own decision as to who they want to have as their electricity or gas supplier.”

Leon Hayes added “In the UK no one wanted to see companies like ours springing up. Eventually the industry accepted that things just have to change. We’re here to stay and our whole purpose is to show people there is cheaper power out there. At a time when consumer confidence is dropping rapidly and petrol prices are skyrocketing, it’s vital that people shop around. Who has the time to start ringing up all the power companies? Switchselect.com does that hard work to make things easier.”

Since launching the service hundreds of consumers have already benefited through Switchselect.com. To find a cheaper supplier people just have to provide basic detail of their postcode, current usage and current supplier and in around 5 minutes they can alter their supplier. Switchselect.com also offers information about green energy and offers many options.

Comparing Electricity bills across Melbourne, with help of the Sunday Herald Sun

Switchselect.com has supplied invaluable data to leading Sunday Herlad Sun journalist James Campbell in order for him to expose the differences in the price in the Victorian Electricity market.

Read the full story here:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23974169-661,00.html

In a move to surely shake up the industry, Switchselect.com revealed how a family in a fairly well to do suburb of Toorak, can pay up to $140 less per year than a family in outer norther areas of St Albans or Sunshine.

Is it fair for familys to pay different amounts in different suburbs?
Whether it's fair or not, anyone can log onto Switchselect.com and see what they are paying, and then investigate other options open to them and switch to a better deal.

http://www.switchselect.com/

Green Energy Friendly Initiatives Report

Get to Know the New Green and Energy Friendly Initiatives: Part 1

As a part of World Environment Day, Peter Garret, Australian Environment Minister unveiled new measures to help Australians save money on their power bills and also be more eco friendly at the same time.

One of those measures relates to the labels on TVs and other appliances.

Appliances will have a label that will let residents know where it falls on a 10-star rating system. Essentially, the more efficient the appliance is, the higher it's rating and the more efficient and environmentally friendly it will be in your home.

Many appliances already have this rating, but the idea behind this initiative is to expand it to televisions and other appliances that were not previously in the program.

Not all companies are required to take part in the program right away, but consumers are being advised to keep their eyes open for those companies that are, so they know they are purchasing items that are more power-wise, to save them money, and more environmentally friendly, to save the planet.

Click here to compare your energy retailer

Get to Know the New Green and Energy Friendly Initiatives: Part 2

The second part of the Rudd Government's energy and eco initiatives unveiled on World Environment Day is a "home renovator guide".

Government officials realized plenty of us want to be more energy-wise and eco-friendly, but we may not know just how to do it all.

The guide will take you through a traditional home and show a number of steps to make your home more green and energy efficient.

One focus of the guide is older homes. Most older homes were built without any thought to energy conservation and green living. There are millions of homes that are over 20 years old across the country, which means a lot of homes that need renovations to catch up with the times.

Click here to save money on you energy bills


Get to Know the New Green and Energy Friendly Initiatives: Part 3

Incandescent lights have to go. That is part three of the energy efficient and green initiatives released by the government on World Environment Day.

The plan is to have Australia burning only more energy efficient and environmentally friendly lights in the next year.

To this end, the government is speeding up a plan to phase out the incandescent light. There will not be any imports of incandescent lights allowed beginning November. Additionally, stores that stock these bulbs will have to sell them all within 12 months. At that time a ban will go into effect against all sales of those bulb types.

The hope is that many retailers, and consumers alike, will switch to fluorescent lamps now.

As a consumer, it is a smart economical and green move to install fluorescent lighting throughout your home. They take less power to operate, and when you consider the number of lights you have in your home, and multiply that power savings, it can really add up.

WINTER ELECTRICITY PRICES - Switchselect.com appears on Channel Nine's "Extra" for a second time

Are you feeling stung by the winter electricity prices rise?

Channel Nine's Extra team investigate how to save money on your electricity bills this winter.

Steven Glover, Switchselect.com co-founder appeared on the segment to show customers just how easy it is to save money by comparing energy suppliers and making the switch on Switchselect.com.

WINTER ELECTRICITY PRICES - Thursday 1st May 2008

By Sarah Davies

SWITCHING ELECTRICITY - Switchselect.com, Australia's leading energy comparison website appears on Channel Nine's "Extra"

Switchselect.com's co-founders Leon Hayes and Steven Glover appear on Channel Nine Brisbane's Extra.

Searching for great energy offers? Confused by all the energy industry jargon? Do you want the best deal on your gas and electricity?

Well, you've come to the right place!

Switchselect.com have appeared on Brisbane's Extra program, to give Queensland's energy customers all the details on switching electricity companies.

SWITCHING ELECTRICITY - Thursday 14 February 2008

By Josh Fajzullin

Today Tonight

Look out for this one, coming to a small screen near you soon enough, Today Tonight was in the Switchselect.com office this afternoon filming a story about high pressure selling and a few dodgy characters coming to light in the deregulated energy industry of late.

We highlighted our free and impartial service, gave customers a few tips on comparing electricity and gas, and what to look out for when considering a switch.

Customers should compare their bills on www.switchselect.com. Compare what they are paying with what is available in their area.

Damian and the boys from TT were nothing short of professional, a credit to their industry and their network.

Look out for Switchselect.com on channel 7's Today Tonight this week. We'll keep you posted.

Switchselect.com Testimonials

Thousands of Australian energy customers have used our free service to compare, switch and save on their energy bills.

Here are some of our happy customers' feedback:

"I saved $253 in a matter of minutes"
Joan, Shailer Park

"Thanks for finally giving us the truth. Switching was so difficult until you came along"
Michael, Burleigh Heads

"And I thought deregulation was supposed to help customers, thank you for simplifying the process of switching"
Andrew, Potts Point

"Happy as Larry, saved $187 this year"
Pauline, Geelong

"Simple and effective, 5 star"
Karel, Wagga Wagga

Compare, Switch and Save Now!!

"If only the phone companies could be compared, your service is brilliant"
Sonja, Fitzroy

"Im going to add the savings to the shopping fund!!"
Sarah, Essendon

"Thank you for helping me compare my energy supplier"
Arnold, Adelaide

"If you add $223 to my bank account this year I'll be stoked, thanks SS"
Herb, Southport

"Very good selection process"
Bernie, Preston

Compare, Switch and Save Now!!

"Very easy to understand and also simple to fill out the application form."
Michelle, Melton West

"Thanks boys. I saw your website on the Extra program, Channel 9. I only received a contract from AGL yesterday and was debating what I should do.

Your website made my mine up for me and saved me $21.26 to boot. I shall tell my mates."
Grant, Landsborough

"Very good and great service"
Wilmot, Marsden

"Very helpful saved $98"
Carly, Coberg

"It all adds up, thanks for your help"
Mallorie, Melrose Park

Compare, Switch and Save Now!!

Queensland electricity prices at set to increase by atleast 5.38% as of the 1st of July 2008. The Queensland Competition Authority has today released their final decision on the Notified Electricity Prices for 2008-2009.

The prices will impact families in Queensland already struggling with the burden of increased mortgage rates, inflation and rising petrol prices.

Leon Hayes of Swichselect.com has stated, "Customers in South east Queenland have had a their electricity prices increase by over 16% in two years, couple that with reductions in market offer discounts, will really leave householders struggling."

The monthly connect charge for residential electricity will rise from $5.40 to $5.69 and the Tariff 11 kWh rate will rise from 14.05 cents to 14.81 cents.

Tariff 31 customers will now pay 6.04 cents / kWh up from 5.73 cents and Tariff 33 customers are set to pay 8.89 cents/kWh up from 8.44 cents in 07/08.

Cost of gas and electricity predicted to rise with takeover

With the announcement today of UK based BG Group's $12.9 billion bid for one of Australia's largest energy group, Origin Energy, comes the revelation that gas and electricity prices could rise by as much as 20% in the coming years.

It has been predicted that this corporate acquisition, coupled with the increasing demand for energy in China could put even more strain on Australian bill payers.

The British oil and gas explorer has bid a 40% premium on Origin's closing share price on Tuesday.
Launching one of the biggest takeover bids this year, BG will stand to control some of Australia's largest gas reserves.Formal talks will now be held between the two groups to advance the bid.

"Gas prices in the UK have increased by more than 25% in the past year" said Leon Hayes of Switchselect.com, adding "a take over such as this could mean a similar rise on our shores".

Site gives power to the people

Switchselect.com appears in the press again, this time in Monday's Business Owner's section of the Courier Mail.

FINDING cheap deals on everything from hotel rooms to plane tickets, car rentals, health insurance and even pots of beer – online comparison services are an idea whose time has come.

But for Queenslanders right now, perhaps none is as timely as Switchselect.com.
In spite of last year's deregulation of the state's electricity market, households face across- the-board power bill hikes in line with cost increases borne by generators.

Enter Switchselect, Australia's first "online energy broker" and the brainchild of 20-something entrepreneurs Leon Hayes and Steven Glover.

The South Brisbane-based company gives consumers free real-time comparisons of what different energy suppliers charge, based on a household's unique pattern of energy use.

If customers then wish to switch suppliers, they can do so via the site.
Switchselect thus earns a small administration fee from the winning supplier.

"It's all free information, it's just that customers don't have the time or the desire to find it themselves," co-director Leon Hayes says.

"We've done that for them."

Mr Hayes, 26, and business partner Steven Glover, 29, met while working as recruiters for an agency selling energy supply contracts in the UK.

The UK, which became the world's first deregulated electricity market in 1996, boasts a dozen online energy brokers, the largest of which is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Messrs Hayes and Glover returned to Australia last year intent on providing a similar service, with their home state on the verge of deregulation.

Having launched on January 17, Switchselect remains the only local service of its kind.
"I guess it's just been about that, who's first to market," Mr Hayes says.
"We believe that we are the market leader and it's now our determination to stay there and keep providing to the public what we said we would."

Initially, the young duo faced "a lot of resistance" from some of the larger energy suppliers deeply committed to their own marketing campaigns, Mr Glover says.
"Some of the bigger companies don't want to be compared and they maybe got a little bit scared because of how successful and user-friendly the site is."

The pair is now confident of having convinced suppliers their comparison service is complete, accurate and up to date.

Switchselect serves all deregulated energy markets nationwide, and also offers information on "green energy" and choosing suppliers with appropriate carbon offsets.

Switchselect.com appears on Channel Nine's Brisbane Extra

Well you'd probably know by now that Queensland's electricity industry has been deregulated, opening the market up to retailers.

For us, it means we have the power to choose which provider we want to be with. But right now there's 17, making it a nightmare when trying to find the cheapest deal.

That's where a new website called switchselect.com can help. Steven Glover is the director. "You can save hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill in minutes," said Steven.

If you decided to make a switch, the Queensland Energy Ombudsman Barry Adams says make sure you consider any hidden fees and charges.

You can compare electricity rates by visiting http://www.switchselect.com. Alternatively give their office a call on 1800 279 482.

We also spoke to the Energy Ombudsman of Queensland Barry Adams. For contract complaints give the ombudsman's office a call on 1800 662 837, and for tips on how to stay smart when dealing with contracts, visit http://www.eoq.com.au.

Switchselect.com in the press

Switchselect.com has it's first press appearance.

Customers now have the "POWER TO PICK SUPPLIERS"

Released: 31 January 2008

By LEE STEHBENS

ELECTRICITY prices could rise in July, further hurting south Brisbane residentsfollowing a 350 per cent increase in the cost of suppling gas.

The tip on the cost increase came from Leon Hayes, the co-director of new South Brisbane-based online energy broker switchselect.com.
"I'm expecting a price rise in July in Queensland", Mr Hayes said. "I couldn t comment on how much but on the first of January, Victoria had a 12 to 17 per cent rise."

Mr Hayes and fellow director Steven Glover started the business to help gas and energy consumers change their suppliers and reduce the bills. The business launched its online service last week to help people find the energy supplier that best suited their needs based on cost, green energy rating and, soon, customer service.

The company contacted the City South News after reading of the 350 per cent rise in gas supply charges since the industry was deregulated in July 2007.

Mr Hayes said while gas users could not avoid the increase they could save money in other ways. Consumers can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year by engaging the very best energy supplier for their needs.

Mr Hayes, from Newstead, and Mr Glover, from Kangaroo Point, started the business to help guide customers through the confusion created by the deregulation of suppliers.

CITY SOUTH NEWS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008

the article appears here:
http://www.questnews.com.au/article/2008/01/31/24290_southern_news.html

Nobel Peace prize goes to the environment.

The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to former US vice president Al Gore this week for his ongoing campaign to battle climate change.

Mr. Gore has stated this week that global warming is "posing a great unprecedented threat to the future of our civilisation."

He and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) chairman Rajendra Pachauri, accepted the Nobel Peace prize on behalf of the United Nations body being honoured for their work and commitment.

In Oslo to accept the prize, Mr. Gore told reporters "It is a question of the survival of our civilisation the prize has already caused increased attention to the problem of moving along to solve the crisis of climate.''

He has said of the prize that includes a diploma, a gold medal and USD1.8 million dollars (AU$2 million) that he will donate the prize money to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a campaign group that aims to cut emissions and reduce global warming.

NSW to sell off electricity companies.

It has been announced by New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma, that the state owned electricity retailers of NSW will be sold off.



The sale is expected to save taxpayers in the region of $15 billion dollars over the next 10 to 15 years. The sale will also ensure the states supply and reliability into the future.
New South Wales has three state owned retailers which will face the sale, they are Country Energy, Energy Australia and Integral Energy.



The retail arms of these businesses will be privatised, however the structural assets will remain in government ownership.
The Premiers aim is to raise the funds needed for a new baseload power station while offering existing power stations to private operators on ninety-nine year leases.


It has also been announced that the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will continue to provide consumer protection for retail customers and regulate the states energy prices.


Leon Hayes of Switchselect.com has said the public of New South Wales should be aware that IPART will ensure that there are no sudden price hikes in the electricity market until 2013 or until such time as the government believes that there is enough competition to ensure prices are kept low.


Many companies are offering fantastic deals to retain and acquire new customers.

Queensland's wholesale electricity prices reach $10,000 per mWh.

The price limit, set by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was hit as a result of high demand on the National Electricity Market.

The $10,000 limit which was reached for the cost of electricity in Queensland been supplied into the National Grid. Rising temperatures and increased power use are said to be the cause for the high demand.

Switchselect.com's Steven Glover said that although this price rise directly effects the wholesale market there is every possibility that if prices continue to soar, eventually retail customers will see the effects.

There has never been a better time to compare energy prices in Queensland. Customers must be aware of the cost of electricity especially at this time of the year when household energy use increases.

Mr. Glover has reported that since July this year when Full Retail Competition began in Queensland thousands of customers have made the decision to switch energy suppliers.

Launch of Switchselect.com Blog

Welcome,



With the launch of Switchselect.com we welcome you to the Switchselect.com blog. Jam packed full of news, features on utilities and ways for you to save.



Thank you all for your support and we look forward to providing you with Australia’s premier comparison and switching service.



Happy switching,

Switchslect.com goes LIVE!