By Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said that deaths as a result of heatwaves will soon outnumber those of the Adelaide’s road toll.
The Advertiser put out an article saying that heatwaves will kill 130 Adelaide residents each year by 2050 because of high electricity prices. AMA President, Dr Peter Sharley said, “With electricity prices going up the way they are, there are a lot of pensioners who cannot keep the air conditioning on as long as they should.” He also said that the elderly are the biggest risk but it can also be those who have suffered kidney failure or heart failure who simply cannot handle big increases in temperature. He posed the question, are we willing to sit there and let people run out of electricity and not have air conditioning when they desperately need it while others can afford it?
The AMA has approached the federal government, urging action and support, not only for the elderly but for outdoor workers, babies, overseas tourists, people with mental health problems and drug users.
Dr Sharley says, “There’s been no dispute that heat-related deaths will increase and what needs to be done is acknowledge it at a national level and co-ordinate a response.”
Solar provider, Energy Matters, has reported that solar power could play a role in supporting the elderly and greatly reducing heat related deaths without putting extra stress on the grid at peak times.
They say that if additional subsidies for installing solar were made available to “at risk” groups, it would not only help more retirees reduce their power bills and allow for longer running of air-conditioning units; it would mean the extra potential load – which can create serious problems of its own – would not be additional strain on the mains grid during peak power consumption periods.
In addition to this, retirees having solar power may help them retain more of their savings or pension as they will not have exorbitant power bills to pay. This in itself may make the switch to solar power more beneficial and worthwhile. With electricity prices rising again and again, solar power may provide a better return on investment and is worth considering as part of people’s retirement planning process.
Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast has some great specials going for this month with more to come. We are also going to offer an extra panel to help cover use of air conditioners and heaters in extreme weather. Get an obligation free quote today.