A gas account kept open for the BBQ

At a house in Torquay, the BBQ was the only thing on the gas, and staying connected cost $382 a year for about $25 of gas.

Closing the account would save them ~$340 a year.

To stay connected, a year $382 Gas used, a year ~$25

Found in the bills

This was a first look, from two of their bills, before I visited. The same bills showed two more changes: switching energy plans, about $260 a year, and running the hot water at midday, about $200. With the gas account, they could save ~$800 a year, with nothing new on the roof.

Closing it

There’s a nominal fee to close the account and cap the gas line. The BBQ can go onto a bottle, or be swapped for an electric one.

Is yours the same?

Look at the supply charge on your gas bill. It’s a daily rate, and you pay it whether you use any gas or not. If the gas you use is a small part of the bill, the connection is most of what you’re paying for.

Ours still has gas for the hot water, and as long as it does, we pay the gas supply charge too.

Where I come in

I read your bills before I visit, so the changes that cost nothing are worked out before I’m at your door. Then at the house I check what the bills can’t show, and in the plan I write you, the changes that cost nothing come first.