Four tips for new unit owners over the Christmas season

Everyone wants Christmas to go smoothly – but unit and apartment owners and residents may face a bit of a surprise if they don’t watch their mounting bills.

Archers Body Corporate Management’s partner Grant Mifsud has warned about the price of power over summer as some apartments see bills increase by up to a third.

Bodies corporate would be wise to assess the electricity habits of the building to reduce wastage, according to Mifsud, who said that on a number of levels the body corporate and the residents need to be active to reduce these costs.

“Because all schemes are unique, at the highest level we encourage all our new clients to undertake a full scale energy audit to identify areas to save which might include changing lighting, pumps and timing mechanisms,” he said.

“At a scheme level, bodies corporate should be reviewing the tariff allocation listed on electricity bills to ensure it’s the most effective for the type of scheme and electricity habits. This step alone can save bodies corporate up to 13%.”

He also said bodies corporate should tell the residents how to reduce their individual costs.

Here are four tips for apartment residents and bodies corporate to consider:

1. Adjust timers on common area lighting - as the days get longer, lights can switch on later at night and off earlier in the morning.
   
   
2. Review the body corporate’s tariff allocation as detailed on each bill to ensure it is the most efficient tariff for your scheme’s needs.
   
   
3. Consider a bulk energy purchase agreement – this is especially effective for large schemes or schemes that have commercial elements with high energy consumption.
   
   
4. Talk to an expert consultancy about conducting a full scale energy audit to identify cost saving initiatives to meet your building’s specific needs.
   
   Source: Archers Body Corporate Management