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Gas: Maximizing Savings and Efficiency

About one-third of Australian homes use natural gas, and many of those households are likely paying too much. Providers compete for customers and often offer incentives to get people to switch. You can take advantage of these offers to save money.

Switching Gas Providers: Why It Pays to Shop Around

Many gas providers rely on customers’ tendency to stay with their current supplier out of convenience or habit. However, there are no real benefits to remaining loyal to one provider for an extended period. By investing a short amount of time—such as thirty minutes—comparing available rates, you might save $50 or more. This equates to earning the equivalent of $100 per hour for your effort, a rate that few Australians can claim elsewhere.

With an abundance of comparison websites, it has never been easier to ‘switch and save.’ Residents in every state and territory in Australia are free to choose from multiple providers. In fact, the Australian Energy Regulator encourages consumers to shop around, and their website, EnergyMadeEasy.gov.au, streamlines the process of comparing prices and securing the best deal. Even if you do not find a better deal using the service, you can be confident that you have a competitive rate.

How to Compare Gas Plans

According to Energy Made Easy, comparing your current gas costs with available plans is straightforward if you follow these steps:

  • Grab the latest copy of your bill
  • Look at page 2 of your bill to find your current rates.
  • Keep in mind that while EME rates do include GST, the rate on your bill may not include GST. Please check on your bill whether the rate includes GST.
  • The information contained in your bill will depend on what type of plan you are on. Your plan might be time of use (with a peak or off-peak rate), or single rate, with one flat rate.
  • You can then compare the plans on EME to the rates on your bill

If you need additional or further help, then contact them on 1300 585 165

Reducing Gas Consumption

There is growing media coverage around the need to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels. Some states in Australia have introduced mandates requiring new homes to be all-electric, with no gas connections. In the future, certain established suburbs may even see gas infrastructure phased out.

Various types of hot water systems are available, including electric, gas storage, gas continuous flow, solar, and heat pump systems. According to Rheem heat pump systems are being encouraged by both federal and state governments, which offer incentives to transition away from gas. More details on these incentives can be found on our Government Grants page.

Switching Your Gas Hot Water System

If your current storage hot water system is aging or causing problems, it may be worthwhile to consider switching to a continuous flow model, depending on your location and circumstances. Storage systems constantly work to maintain water temperature, even when the home is empty, leading to higher gas usage. Continuous flow systems, on the other hand, only use gas when you actively need hot water (such as when using a tap or shower). If you are considering making this change, seek advice from a reputable plumber to determine if a continuous flow system is suitable for your household.