Australia’s relentless summer has delivered a brutal one-two punch to households: record-breaking temperatures and eye-watering electricity bills.
As Aussies endured their hottest week on record, with temperatures in some areas soaring to an unprecedented 50C, the cost of staying cool has become an unbearable burden for many, forcing families to make impossible choices between comfort and basic necessities.
For Mildura resident Laureena Mierswa-Wilkinson, the reality hit hard this week with a staggering electricity bill of nearly $700 for the period covering mid-December to mid-January.
This period, marked by consistent temperatures above 40C, saw Laureena and her husband heavily reliant on their airconditioning unit.
“I was shocked. We haven’t had a bill that high before. I was pretty shocked by it being nearly $700 for one month,” she told Yahoo Finance.
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Mildura resident Laureena Mierswa-Wilkinson has been hit with a massive power bill after being forced to run airconditioning during a heatwave. (Source: Supplied/Instagram)
Her bill was almost $700
Their usual monthly bills typically hover between $120 and $170.
Laureena acknowledges the bill’s accuracy, given their high energy consumption during the heatwave.
Some days, simply running the aircon cost them $40.
“It was just the heat. You can turn off all your lights and your appliances, but when it’s 40 degrees, you don’t have a choice. You’ve got to have the aircon on, or you suffer,” she explained.
Mildura, a regional city in Victoria’s northwest, recorded its highest-ever temperature at 48.6C in January, with forecasts indicating temperatures will remain above 40C for days to come.
“We’re still only in January and February is typically the hottest month in Mildura, so we’ll probably get some more long stints that are above 40C,” Laureena added, highlighting the ongoing challenge.
The devastating choice: aircon or groceries?
This isn’t an isolated incident.
The escalating cost of living, coupled with extreme weather, is pushing many Australians to the brink.
A recent survey by housing advocacy group Everybody’s Home revealed a confronting truth: two in five respondents had sacrificed essentials like food or medical care to cover energy bills.
The stark choice between running the aircon and buying groceries, or enduring stifling heat out of fear of the next bill, is becoming a grim reality.
Temperatures are looking extreme in the country’s southeast. Picture: Weatherzone
Half of those surveyed also admitted to cutting back on energy use, including heating and cooling, over the past year to manage housing costs.
Laureena believes that for everyday working-class people, staying cool has tragically become a “luxury”.
“Unfortunately, if that means you might have to suffer a little bit to be able to keep up with the cost of paying electricity, then that’s what you’re going to have to do if you’re not in a position to be able to afford that,” she stated.
“We can’t afford $700 a month ongoing. It’s just not sustainable.”
Navigating the energy crisis
Mariam Gabaji, a utilities expert from Finder, told Yahoo Finance that many Australians would be facing unusually high electricity bills due to the recent heatwaves.
“Heating and cooling can account for 40 to 50 per cent of your energy bill,” she advised, especially when other appliances are also in use.
Gabaji urged those struggling to contact their electricity provider for support, as payment assistance options may be available. She also recommended checking eligibility for government rebates or concessions.
To mitigate costs, Gabaji suggested practical household measures such as sealing draughts, regularly cleaning airconditioner filters, and setting the aircon to a slightly higher temperature.
Comparing energy plans is also crucial, with providers now mandated to display potential savings from switching to their cheapest plan on bills every three months.
State on high alert amid heatwave chaos
Multiple emergency alerts have been issued across South Australia as scorching heat continues to sear the country.
Maximum temperatures will again reach up to 50C in some regions, providing little relief for already sweltering South Aussies.
A spokesperson from the Bureau of Meteorology said the heatwave will continue over the next few days but will ease by Sunday.
“So, it’s not just the interior of the country feeling the heat,” BOM senior meteorologist Angus told NewsWire.
A heatwave emergency warning has been issued for parts of South Australia. Picture: SES South Australia
As a heat dome continues its coverage across the country’s south, towns in South Australia, Victoria and NSW are sweltering, with temperatures breaking records this week.
Wednesday was one of the hottest days on records for inland NSW and parts of SA and Victoria.
NSW also hit a maximum of 47.8C in Smithville, 47.2C in Mulurulu and 47.5C in Hay.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, temperatures on Wednesday reached 42.9C in Wangaratta and 45.3C in Yarrawonga.
The heat is sticking around for some time, Mr Hines told NewsWire.
“The heat is continuing – this prolonged, very significant heatwave that we’ve been feeling for days,” he said.
“It’s going to continue to be hot (on Thursday).
“We’re already seeing temperatures climb across South Australia, in NSW, very far southwest of Queensland and the northeast of Victoria.”
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