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Compare, Switch & Save Electricity with Power Company Comparison Tool Glimp

Friday 28 September 2018, 1:41PM

By Beckie Wright

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The cost of electricity has skyrocketed since reforms to the sector three decades ago. New Zealanders are now paying 79 percent more for power than they were in 1990. With rising costs affecting most Kiwis technology company Glimp has devised a tool to track the energy consumption of appliances in households and compare power companies  to make sure they are getting the best deal possible. 

Glimp's power comparison tool will show you what you could be paying from a range of New Zealand's leading power companies, allowing you to choose the best option to suit your household. With Glimp, it has never been easier to compare power companies and identify the ideal electricity plan.

Glimp has access to data from 12 energy companies that can be used by to compare, switch and save on electricity plans. Glimp is 100% free-to-consumer for unlimited use. For 103,000 New Zealanders, the cost of power now dominates 10 percent of their average income. That figure increases to 175,000 households if housing costs are excluded. Those are the Kiwis in "energy hardship", a new Government report has found. The rest of New Zealand spends about 3 percent of their income on electricity.

With so many different electricity companies and offers available, it can be difficult and time-consuming to find the most cost-effective option. Glimp simplifies the process and gives Kiwis a chance to compare prices from a variety of companies before selecting your best fit.

 

Glimp is free, fast and simple to use. Power users can enter their details: where they live, the current power supplier and how many people live in the home. After that, the tool will show them options, and how much they could be saving if they switch. Users can make an informed decision about which power company can offer the most competitive price.

 

The Minister for Energy and Resources Megan Woods says the review identified issues that need addressing. "The report is a clear demonstration that the market is not working for everyone. New Zealanders deserve affordable electricity but too many households are struggling to pay their bills. The next step in this process is a conversation with the public about how we remedy that," Dr Woods said.

As more people move toward solar power, allowing residential and commercial customers to generate power, those low-income households may be hit again, possibly leaving those without solar panels bearing "an unfair share of the cost". The impact of electricity costs on low-income household is an issue that's also been highlighted by Consumer NZ, which says one in five consumers struggled to pay for power in the past year.

 

Last year, 25,000 people had their power disconnected for unpaid bills, Consumer NZ said.

The large bulk of power generated in New Zealand is from renewable sources - namely wind, hydro and solar - but the sector faces a challenge converting the remaining 20 percent. Meanwhile, it will face increasing demands on power as people switch to electric vehicles.

The review found just one gap that would warrant "altering the functions" of electricity generators - access to the distribution network. The review did say, however, that there could be merit in a single regulator for energy, if future changes to electricity demands it.

Glimp believe all Kiwis should get a fair deal on their electricity bills. That’s why they set out to help people compare power prices. Their tool has allowed thousands of New Zealanders choose a power company that can offer them the lowest rates. Glimp strives to identify great plans for their users and find the best-suited electricity companies.

For more information on internet providers NZ, compare broadband, compare power companies, best credit card NZ and more, visit https://www.glimp.co.nz 

Reference: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/cost-of-electricity-up-80-percent-since-1990-report.html