Heatin'

[selfish]

OK it's time to buy a reverse cycle unit for our place - it's fucking cold in the kitchen/dining, and I assume it'll be fucking hot in summer (evaporative cooling can get fucked). Any recommendations?

[unfnknblvbl]

My advice: avoid energy retailer branded stores. Ridiculous markup.

(This statement not approved or endorsed by my employer)

[selfish]

Well, that's a start. Any other un-recommendations?

[Froggy]

My advice: avoid energy retailer branded stores. Ridiculous markup.

(This statement not approved or endorsed by my employer)

hmm I didn't know this, I am after heating probably early next year to. So avoid deals where they offer to put it on your bill to pay it off and stuff?

[selfish]

Yeah, how much should we be paying for these things?

[unfnknblvbl]

well I'm only extrapolating from smaller items, but the online store for.. shall we say one of the largest energy retailers in the country... has a 150% markup over comparable items available at your local supermarket*. I doubt that there's such a ridiculous markup for split systems and the like, and I guess you should take into account the fact that they normally get somebody to install it for you and you can put it on your bill (in some cases). However, I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up paying a nice big premium for all of that.



*for example, an LED light bulb that costs $15-25 at Woolies costs $45 from this retailer. And that's "marked down" from $55. Yeesh! Going bigger though, there's a $150 markup on a year-old TV's RRP. Plus shipping. Ha!

[Froggy]

interesting, is this the same for airconditioning? I need to get that for this summer to, do energy retailers sell aircon and heating or just heating?

[unfnknblvbl]

pretty sure they sell both - after all, that's what split systems are good for. As for the markup, like I said, I'm just extrapolating from what I've seen. I'm sure you can buy a system and have it installed for cheaper (all up) than going through an energy retailer.