For some families, hot weather in Victoria means trips to the beach, enjoying delicious ice creams and running the air con 24/7 on those unbearable 40-degree days.
But for many Victorians on low incomes, hot days mean worrying about high power bills, and battling through sweltering heatwaves without adequate cooling. Even if you have air conditioning at home, the rising cost of power means you might be thinking twice about how often you switch it on.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of opening your summer electricity bill, you’re not alone. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that electricity prices increased by 11.7 per cent in 2022 – which means our bills are going up, even if our usage stays the same.
A recent survey of Anglicare Victoria clients found that 80 per cent had noticed their power bills increasing, and almost three quarters were struggling to pay their electricity bill when it arrived. With the price of food, petrol and other essentials on the rise, many families are wondering how they can beat the heat without putting extra pressure on the household budget.
We spoke to Lesley Conway, Financial Counselling Team Leader at AV, for some tips on dealing with overdue bills and keeping cool in summer.
Lesley said the most important thing to remember if you’ve fallen behind with utility bills is to keep in contact with your provider.
“Let them know your situation, and ask to speak to their hardship team,” Lesley said. “Don’t wait until the problem escalates. Get in touch with them as soon as possible.”
And if you feel your debts are getting out of control, a financial counsellor can help.
“We work with clients to make a budget and negotiate with their creditors, so they can get back on track. We offer both face-to-face and telephone appointments, so there are options available if you can’t get into an office to see us,” said Lesley.
Lesley said financial counsellors also play an educational role, helping their clients understand complex financial topics like interest and debt – so they can feel more confident managing your money going forward.
“There’s no judgement, we’ve seen everything before,” said Lesley. “The earlier you get help, the more options you’ll have.”
We also asked some of our budget-savvy financial counsellors for their top tips to help you stay cool in summer – without increasing your electricity bill. Here’s what they suggest…
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or sugary drinks – they’re more expensive and they’ll dehydrate you on hot days. If you’re heading out for the day, half-fill drink bottles and freeze them overnight, then top up with tap water in the morning so you have a cold drink to take with you. Frozen drink bottles are also great in the kids’ lunchboxes to help keep their food cool.
Wetter is better. Heat escapes through the skin, so keeping your skin damp and cool can be a very effective way to beat the heat. Have cool showers or baths to help you cool down. You can also run cold water over the pulse points at your wrists or use a spray bottle to spritz yourself and your family – just make sure you ask them if it’s okay first!
Avoid using the oven on hot days – it can really heat the house up. Make quick stovetop dishes instead or enjoy cold meals like deli meats with salad. Foods with high water content like watermelon and cucumber will keep you hydrated as well as cool. You could also cook outside on the barbeque.
Be prepared. If you know there’s a heatwave coming up, get your washing and baking done the day before, so you won’t be running extra appliances on the hottest days. Cook dinner for a few nights in advance, so all you need to do is give it a quick zap in the microwave each evening.
Keep your windows and curtains closed during the day to keep the sun out. Open them in the evening to let the cool breeze in. Use awnings or plants to stop the sunlight hitting the outside of your windows if possible.
Visit your local cinema, shopping centre or library. If you can afford it, a trip to the cinema is a good way to cool down. If not, shopping centres, libraries and other council buildings can be good options to escape the heat.
Need help managing your debts or bills? Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit the website: Find a Financial Counsellor – National Debt Helpline (ndh.org.au).
