Government wants to pay you to switch off

[davidc4430]

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.

[domino-710]

This begs the question of - who could turn what off.

Could the elderly - already experiencing difficulty paying for electricity - even afford an air conditioner.

[davidc4430]

oops, i forgot

the poor dont drive

and even if they do they dont go far.

[imastawka]

A lot of the elderly don't have air conditioners.   They tend to spend all day

in large shopping centres to avoid the heat.

Others spend the whole day riding the 'Smart' bus all around the suburbs of Melbourne.

Start the day at 9am and get back at 4pm - all for the princely sum of $2.80

[bushies.girl]

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@imastawka wrote:

A lot of the elderly don't have air conditioners.   They tend to spend all day

in large shopping centres to avoid the heat.

Others spend the whole day riding the 'Smart' bus all around the suburbs of Melbourne.

Start the day at 9am and get back at 4pm - all for the princely sum of $2.80

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So what do they do if they live in a country area? No large shopping centres here 'n def no "smart bus"    .... actually no buses at all lol

[bushies.girl]

bty I know heaps of older people who own an ac  ......they arent all that expensive to buy these days

[domino-710]

Air conditioners may not be that expensive to buy these days.

Having them fitted - by a licensed tradesman - not cheap - not at all cheap - an added cost.

Running them & paying the bill is another thing - especially for those on a limited income.

[davidc4430]

the point is being missed, its not about who does or doesnt have an airconditioner.

its about who would most likely accept a payment to not switch one on during a heatwave.

i doubt there is any homes in wallaroo without some type of airconditioner.

plenty of elderly people here.

[domino-710]

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@davidc4430 wrote:

the point is being missed, its not about who does or doesnt have an airconditioner.

its about who would most likely accept a payment to not switch one on during a heatwave.

i doubt there is any homes in wallaroo without some type of airconditioner.

plenty of elderly people here.

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Then - who do you think is most likely to turn off their AC - during a heatwave.

[bushies.girl]

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@domino-710 wrote:

Air conditioners may not be that expensive to buy these days.

Having them fitted - by a licensed tradesman - not cheap - not at all cheap - an added cost.

Running them & paying the bill is another thing - especially for those on a limited income.

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Just had one fitted, cost less than the cost of the unit    ..... tis called saving   .... 'n we are on a very limited income