Rising bills put heat on needy

ELDERLY Australians and other vulnerable households too scared to switch on airconditioners or fans in heatwaves because of electricity costs are endangering their lives.

Other families are sacrificing buying groceries or school books so they can afford to keep cool, particularly those with babies, research reveals.

Three-quarters of health and community service workers surveyed for an RMIT University study said financial stress because of airconditioning use was common.

The crisis caused by rising power bills has prompted calls for dedicated free “heat refuges” in public spaces and extended library hours during sweltering conditions.

Authorities are also being urged to clearly excuse the elderly and unwell from public alerts that try to conserve electricity use in extreme heat to avoid shortages and blackouts.

Lead researcher Dr Larissa Nicholls said the frail, elderly, and those suffering chronic health conditions made worse by extreme heat, were at greatest danger from rationing airconditioning.

“Public messaging asking households to be careful with electricity use in times of peak demand should specifically focus on the healthy and younger households,” she said.

Dozens of social service workers and 36 at-risk households with older occupants and infants in Melbourne, Dubbo and Cairns were quizzed for the study.

The health fears coincide with “demand management” trials in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales to financially reward volunteers who reduce energy use for short periods on scorching days this summer.

“Peak pricing is likely to exacerbate unhealthy selfrationing of air conditioning and fans in some households,” the Heatwaves, Homes & Health research project warns.

Half the surveyed staff were aware of clients who did not even use fans in heatwaves.