NSW households are facing energy price hikes of up to 24% - Avoid higher power bills with two simple steps

NSW households could face electricity price hikes of up to 24% in the coming financial year if the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) draft pricing plans are confirmed. 

While switching to a better energy deal has helped Australian households save an average of $394 on their energy bills, Australian energy retailer Nectr says that there are steps that all homeowners can take now to ‘future-proof’ against rising electricity costs.

Australia is leading the way in rooftop solar installations with more than 30% of households with Rooftop solar PV. When it comes to home batteries for energy storage, 84% of Australian solar owners who don’t currently own a household battery, say they would be interested in purchasing one in the next three years. Research also reveals that nearly 70% of Australians hope to eventually go ‘off-grid’ and use home solar and battery to power their home.

Australian energy retailer Nectr says that installing home solar and battery are two steps homeowners can take now to lessen the impact of energy price rises. 

“Homes with solar and battery can avoid paying higher electricity prices by essentially becoming ‘energy independent.’ Using their home’s solar panels to generate energy and a home battery to store the energy puts that power back into the hands of everyday Aussies to use energy within their household when and how they like,” said Nectr’s CMO Karren Challoner-Miles.

Nectr will be attending the Sydney Royal Easter show from 6-17 April this year with a stand at the Home & Lifestyle Pavilion (Stand XHM119-H2) offering showgoers short- and long-term tips to reduce their energy bills. Eligible Show visitors also have the chance to secure a $50 electricity bill credit if they sign up with Nectr at the Show between 6-17 April 2023. 

5 things to consider before installing solar and battery at your home

1. Size and capacity: The number of people in your household and your average energy usage, will be a factor in choosing the size of your solar system.  For instance, someone living on their own or a couple may suit a 6.6kW system with around 17 solar panels compared to a household with four or more occupants that would benefit from a 13.3kW system with around 34 solar panels. 

1. Installation and warranties: Ensure that your solar panels are installed by a Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved installer. Also check product and performance warranties. Nectr uses suppliers that offer premium and performance-based hardware with minimum 10 year product warranties, and 25 year performance warranties.

1. Cost: In developing solar and battery energy bundle offers, Nectr conducted customer research to find out Australians’ attitudes towards home solar and battery. Cost was the main barrier for most people. Following this research, Nectr developed bundles with no up-front cost, monthly interest-free payment instalments, and competitive energy rates to make the switch to solar and battery more affordable.

1. Investigate rebate schemes: There are also government-led assistance schemes for households, businesses and communities for solar and battery installation. Consumers should do their research to determine if they are eligible. 

1. Consider a battery: A home battery will complete the road to energy independence. The solar panels will harness the power of the sun and the home battery will store this energy to power the fridge, washing machine, air conditioning and more at the time you choose. Household battery storage capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). 1kWh is equal to one hour of electricity used at the power of 1kW. For example, using a 2000W oven for an hour would equate to using 2kWh of the battery’s capacity. As a comparison, a 200W TV would need to be used for 10 hours to add up to 2kWh. Generally, a typical home with solar panels exporting over 2MWh per year could meet its needs with battery systems of 5kWh through to 9kWh capacities. 

In 2022, Nectr’s was recognised for having the cheapest electricity plans in NSW, ACT and QLD, best value GreenPower plan in NSW, the cheapest GreenPower plan in QLD, and outstanding value electricity plans in QLD. Nectr also achieved finalist status for best rated electricity brands in NSW and QLD.

The retailer is listed in the top 10 of Greenpeace Australia’s 2022 Green Electricity Guide and secured Canstar Blue’s Green Excellence Awards 2022.

For more information about Nectr visit www.nectr.com.au.  

ENDS

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact Blue Planet Public Relations:

Maria Crema – maria.crema@blueplanetpr.com.au or +61 402 239 929

Sophie Blue - sophie.blue@blueplanetpr.com.au or +61 416 006 821

More about Nectr

Nectr is an Australian energy retailer that is committed to delivering affordable, cleaner, greener energy solutions for Australians. Nectr offers no upfront cost and 0% interest fee Solar, Battery and Solar + Battery systems, all bundled with competitive energy plans and Clean Energy Council certified installation. Established in 2019, Nectr has disrupted the Australian energy industry, offering 100% carbon-neutral energy plans as standard – and challenging other retailers to do the same. In 2022 Nectr ranked among the top 10 greenest energy retailers in Australia according to Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide, received the inaugural Canstar Blue Green Excellence Award – Energy, Canstar Blue’s Outstanding Value award for electricity plans in Queensland and was a finalist in Finder’s 2022 Customer Satisfaction Awards Energy 2021/2022 for Best rated electricity provider in NSW and QLD. Nectr is backed by Hanwha Energy, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, and is investing in various renewable projects in Australia. The Hanwha Group has committed to over AU$5billion investment in eco-friendly initiatives to achieve net-zero by 2050.