Survey Embarrasses Hypocritical Electricity Companies

Tuesday, 21 October 2003 10:00

"The offending companies are getting the community to pay three times," said Jeff Angel, TEC Director. "First they spend thousands on air-conditioners; then they have to pay sky-rocketing electricity bills; and finally they pay for the environmental damage caused by global warming."

"Cashing in on air-conditioner sales and then reaping the rewards from spiralling energy bills is greedy and environmentally irresponsible. What retailers fail to tell customers when they sell air-conditioners is that energy prices will be going up as a result of escalating demand. Some companies claim they give energy conservation advice, but it is hypocritical to also sell air-conditioners."
In response to the survey, Energy Australia has stopped selling air-conditioners. Energy Australia blamed air-conditioners as part of the reason for its $696 million budget blow-out. Six other retailers also refuse to sell air-conditioners.

"Selling air-conditioners takes away the incentive for cheaper, sustainable housing designs with natural cooling," said Mr Angel. "Air-conditioners consume around 40 per cent more energy than natural cooling, and use up to 250 per cent more network capacity on hot days. We commend those companies who don't sell air-conditioners and call on the irresponsible retailers to stop, and find some integrity."

"Retailers who sell air-conditioners are also contributing to an unfair cross-subsidy. Customers who use less electricity will be paying for those running energy guzzling air-conditioners as prices are averaged out. It's the responsible energy users who will be unfairly footing the bill."
Surging demand for electricity in New South Wales, driven in large part by air-conditioners, is behind $5 billion of network infrastructure planned by electricity companies for which consumers will have to pay. Similar problems are being faced in other States.
 

For further information

Contact
:
Jeff Angel
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5599
Email
:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
WWW
:
http://www.tec.org.au/