Manawatu Standard

Customers urged to switch, save $400

- Esther Taunton

A five-minute job could save many New Zealand households almost $400 a year on their power bill, Consumer NZ says.

Electricit­y prices are expected to rise this winter and the consumer watchdog is encouragin­g Kiwis to check they are on the right plan by using the energy comparison site Powerswitc­h.

Consumer NZ research found power costs were a big worry for one in three New Zealanders and 17 per cent reported having trouble paying their power bills.

Its chief executive, Jon Duffy, said it was increasing­ly likely that electricit­y prices would rise over winter, with some energy companies putting up prices last month.

However, a visit to the Consumer Nz-run Powerswitc­h site could save the average household $388 a year.

‘‘Consumers can switch in less than five minutes and save hundreds,’’ Duffy said.

‘‘New Zealand has low switching rates when it comes to energy. Annually, only 20 per cent of households switch.’’

The majority of those were people moving homes, with only

6 per cent of households switching for amore competitiv­e rate.

New Zealand’smost frequent energy switchers can be found in Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato and Nelson.

The lowest switch rates were in West Coast, Marlboroug­h, Northland and Southland.

‘‘As the energy market continues to fluctuate, it pays to shop around, which is why we encourage households to regularly check if the plan they’re on remains the best deal for them,’’ Duffy said.

 ??  ?? Jon Duffy
Jon Duffy

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