@davidc4430 wrote:
Power bills: Why the Government wants to pay you to switch off this summer
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-11/power-scheme-offers-rewards-for-switching-off-in-peak-times/90...
i think this is a very bad idea.
i think that some older people who are struggling to pay power bills will take this offer up, and end up in hospital or dead.
its obviously going to be a scheme that the poorest would be most likely to go for, the unemployed, the elderly and the people on low incomes.
i doubt anyone 'well off' will switch of their airconditioners on a stinking hot day.
I agree, it is a bad idea.
I've seen some journalists praise it and say they would be willing to sacrifice power on only a 'few' days of the year if it meant a decent saving on their power bill.
But I don't believe them.
What they mean is they think the scheme is okay for people because people will be able to make a 'choice'.
But did anyone see that the global warming mob say that 50c summers are just around the corner for Melb/Sydney?
So let's see-who is most likely to opt into the savings system? Those who can't afford it & need to save the money.
Who might those people be? Pensioners, one income families, low income earners.
All the others such as politicians & those journalists will feel morally justified not to opt in-they will say yes they have aircon on but they pay 'more' so are entitled.
I'd say most people these days have some form of air con, at least in one room, or else a fan.
I know the proposed system is in place in other countries but what I would like to know is this-How come in the 1960s when I was a kid, my parents (who had an air con in the lounge) fully expected to have power available all year round as a matter of course, whereas here we are in the 21st century saying power is a luxury some of us may have to give up at times.
