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Five things you didn’t know about energy (but probably should)

August 14, 2014 by Stacey 25 Comments

This is a sponsored post for Origin Energy

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When I first moved to Melbourne, nine people out of every 10 said to me “but what about the cold?”. I admit, it isn’t something I’ve had to worry about for the last 20 years living in Queensland. I’m pretty sure we didn’t even get the heater out last winter, let alone turn it on. So suddenly the cost of heating a house for hours on end day after day, month after month made us a little terrified of our electricity bill.

And then we realised our heating isn’t even run by electricity. It’s gas.

So now we’re terrified of the gas bill.

But I didn’t want to feel guilty every time I put the heating on, so I looked for ways to cut back our electricity consumption elsewhere, which also has the bonus of being good for the environment, or something. Brownie points to me.

When I went to a lunch put on by Origin Energy in a round-table discussion with some bloggers recently, I just about mauled their efficiency expert for information. She also set Twitter ablaze with her number-one hit of the day:

1. Using the dishwasher once a day is more energy-efficient than washing up by hand three times a day.

“Who washes up three times a day?!”I hear you ask. Well, only some of you, plenty of the rest of you know EXACTLY WHO WASHES UP THREE TIMES A DAY BECAUSE NO-ONE ELSE WILL BLOODY DO IT.

I am a triple washer-upper-er because I moved to an old house with no dishwasher and no place to put one. To be fair though, sometimes I just can’t be arsed and it gets done once a day, to hell with the mess. I was being energy efficient and I didn’t even know it. I’m pretty sure this also applies to the clothes I forget to wash.

2. 200 years ago, our main energy source was wood.

Can you imagine? I mean, I can, because what else would there have been? And the population was much smaller then. But there’s no way that would have been sustainable, because trees grow suuuuper-slowly. Now we burn coal. And that’s not particularly sustainable either, because burning coal is bad for the environment thanks to its emissions into the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect. But it’s a step up from wood! So where to from here?

3. Almost 11% of Australia’s energy comes from renewable sources

The Clean Energy Council says That’s enough to power 5 million homes. I bet the Early Settlers didn’t see that coming. We’re a hot and dry country, and it seems like more and more people are using that to their electricity advantage. It’s been so long since I had to even think about where my electricity was coming from (it was included in the rent in the last three houses I’ve lived in) that I didn’t even know you could choose part or even all of your electricity to be powered by green energy. From a buck a week! Sign me up.

4. Origin Energy are getting with the program and making some changes.

At the lunch, we heard from plenty of passionate people who realised that the way Origin had been doing things was pretty consumer un-friendly. While they were getting the renewables thing right (it’s one of Australia’s largest investors in renewable energy, and are the number-one green energy provider), they were getting communication so, so wrong. They even played us an angry voicemail from a poor old chap who’d been with them 50 years and had finally had enough. Realising their method of dealing with their consumers was outdated, confusing, and boring, they decided to change. And they did not hold back when they told us where they’d gone wrong and how much workthey’d put in to getting it right. It was fascinating.  

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We took a trip around the office and, while having violent flashbacks to my call centre workdays (selling car insurance isn’t something I’d rush back to, I can tell you right now), I was pretty impressed with the level of effort to which they’d gone to remind everyone: customer first. It was everywhere. On the walls, on the intranet, on the TV screens, in the lunchroom (it wasn’t in the fridge though, I checked. Lots of pickles however, so thumbs up from me). 

They’ve changed the mailouts. Don’t want snail mail? No problem, they’ll email you. Hate sitting on hold and/or talking on the phone? Well, they’ll chat with you on Facebook. 

They’ve extended their call centre hours because 9-5 is pretty 1995.

They’ve abolished cold-call door-knocking because that straight up sucks.

Welcome to 2014, Origin Energy! Good to have you here.

5. Coriander is divisive, yo.

Ok so this tip maybe not about energy, but it’s probably best to be aware that people are violently pro or anti the frilly green herb, and ain’t afraid to tell you! Especially if you’re the sensitive type, and you’ve just served it up to a hater. From the minute we started lunch, coriander war had begun. A couple of fierce avoiders, a few fanatics faced off. People are still commenting on my Instagram post that they either love it or hate it and this lunch was last week – it divides people, no question. But that’s ok, I’ll eat your portion.

There now, class is over for today. Any questions? What do you wish your energy provider would change? Are you a renewables buyer? Are you anti-dishwasher? Hate coriander? Tell me everything! 

You can even chat in person with the Origin Energy Customer Service Hubs in Victoria and NSW. They can give you tips on your bill, accessing their online services, flexible payment options, energy saving tips – whatever you like.

Filed Under: Review

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jay - Moodie Foodie says

    August 14, 2014 at 8:01 am

    Hard to write a sponsored post that’s personal, Stacey but I read this one from the first word to the last:) Oh, and I learnt that I can put my dishwasher on every day without feeling bad – cool. As for coriander, bloody love it! Even my girls love it but only when it’s cooked in stuff. Don’t be hating on the coriander xo

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 14, 2014 at 8:26 am

      Kind words, Jay! I appreciate that, thank you. Especially your words about coriander because that shit is the bomb! Couldn’t imagine life without it.

      Reply
  2. Mrs Woog says

    August 14, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Dishwasher ON. Washing Machine ON. Both run once a day and I say YES TO CORIANDER!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 14, 2014 at 9:04 am

      We are kindred spirits, Woogle. One day I might even buy a condom dress x

      Reply
  3. Renee | About a Bugg says

    August 14, 2014 at 9:22 am

    You know I love you. And thanks for endorsing my laziness (or efficiency) with the dishwasher.
    But coriander. No. Just stop.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 14, 2014 at 9:38 am

      😉

      Reply
  4. Rachel @ Mother Far from Home says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Love coriander… although I think I call it cilantro? But even here in Sydney this winter I woke up last night and had a 5 minute agonize over our impending electric bill because, honestly, without our little space heaters we’d all end up blocks. Bring on the summer!

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 14, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      You damn Americans, always giving things different names! I also love how you guys say “electric bill” instead of electricity. However, I do not love how you say “aluminum” instead of aluminium” and there’s some “caramel” pronouncers who make me side-eye pretty hard.

      Reply
      • Rachel @ Mother Far from Home says

        August 14, 2014 at 2:40 pm

        It was like 2 years in that I finally realized I COULD get cilantro here… mwahaha. I was like CORIANDER… THAT’S what that is…. Ha. The first fight I had with my husband was over aluminum and aluminium…

        Reply
        • Veggie Mama says

          August 14, 2014 at 2:46 pm

          were you standing in an aisle one day going “what the hell is a capsicum?!”

          Reply
  5. 26 Years & Counting says

    August 14, 2014 at 11:57 am

    I wish my energy provider didn’t hire horribly rude call centre staff! I’ve been under employed this year and while I can usually pay at least half my bill up front, I’ve had to spread out payments for the rest over the next few pays. But the staff…wow… so freaking rude when you call up to arrange it (even though I could tell them exact days and amounts of what I could pay). They asked me about 5 times to pay more on it RIGHT NOW and tried quizzing me about credit cards I might have ‘forgotten’ I had to pay more on ‘now’. So. Freaking. Rude. Good thing I’m stubborn as hell because I just sat there saying NOOOO until they did what I asked.
    Overall… I think it’s illogical in a country full of sun that our homes aren’t largely powered by solar.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Are you kidding? What vile behaviour. And all because you were trying to do the right thing! I’ll get you to call on my behalf now, you sound badass, haha

      Reply
      • 26 Years & Counting says

        August 14, 2014 at 10:03 pm

        It was really disgusting behaviour. I will be looking at changing providers when I have time to compare deals etc. I am bad ass cos I have to be haha.

        Reply
  6. Chelsea Sutherland says

    August 14, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    I just wish we had choice of energy providers – in regional Queensland, you just don’t and I can’t tell you how hard it is hating coriander but loving Mexican food.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 14, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      HAHAHAHAHAHA! Well at least you’ve got a good sense of humour about it. I grew up in regional Queensland, I know what it’s like to have limited choice. I only had two TV stations as a kid, I’m still scarred.

      Reply
  7. Lilybett and Boy says

    August 14, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    Coriander rulz. The stalks in particular rock my world. Just wash those suckers first.

    I’m an Origin customer but wish they’d been more upfront about the deals they offered. When they say 20% or whatever off your bill for paying on time and signing up to autopay etc, they don’t actually mean 20% off your bill. They mean 20% off some fraction of your bill before they add on all their own charges and taxes and whatnot. It might be in the very small print, but it certainly wasn’t part of the hard sell we got over the phone when we called to say we were dropping them. There is a distinct lack of transparency in ALL energy providers, though, that’s not just Origin.

    I also wish there were discounts for choosing the Green energy options rather than extra charges – I know that’s not the way the world works, but wouldn’t it be nice if Green/renewable options were the default because they were cheaper for the consumer. Then you’d have to be a right arse to opt out AND you’d have to pay for the privilege.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 20, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      I wonder if that’s one of the things they’re changing? I can ask if you want? I know they rejigged thousands of communication documents to make them less confusing, so maybe that’s something they looked at. Fine print on anything sucks.

      I love your green options theory! I’d back that for sure.

      Reply
  8. Angie@TheLittleMumma says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Oh man, so glad to hear they’ve ditched the door to door sales. I just couldn’t loathe a thing more. Except, y’know, war and shit. But srsly, good move, Origin.

    I need a dishwasher (who isn’t a rubber gloved me!)

    And coriander is king.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      Door-to-door is a pain in the ass. Don’t come where I live, bro!

      Reply
  9. The Plumbette says

    August 15, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    We use origin here. Gas is a lot more cheaper than electricity that’s for sure. We have solar panels on our roof which helps with our electricity bill but summer is more a killer than winter because I live in ducted air con. And I love coriander.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      Oh I’ve never really used aircon! I was always too afraid, haha. Probably shouldn’t have been.

      Reply
  10. thelifeofclare says

    August 17, 2014 at 9:47 am

    I can’t wait to have our dishwasher installed! Now there’s all the more reason to do it! Love coriander.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      I thought I would be dead without one. Seriously! I quite like the washing up though, it’s soothing. Still wouldn’t say no to a dishwasher.

      Reply
  11. David Maddern says

    August 22, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    A tip, washing up by hand can be done in a stainless bowl in the sink, uses far less water and detergent, and just wipe the bowl out.

    Reply
    • Veggie Mama says

      August 22, 2014 at 6:05 pm

      Excellent tip, thank you!

      Reply

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