Still no end to rising electricity and gas prices for Victorian households VICTORIAN households face more electricity and gas cost rises - of up to $130 a year. Customers already suffering from a surge in bills will be slugged again from January 1. Retailers have unveiled ­average residential power price rises of 1.8 per cent to 4.8 per cent, and gas price ­increases of 4.4 to 5.3 per cent. Small businesses face an electricity rise of up to 5 per cent. Gas tariffs will rise up to 4.6 per cent. St Vincent de Paul Society energy analyst Gavin Dufty­ estimated combined gas and electricity annual bills would climb $80 to $130 for "dual-fuel" homes. All-electric houses face an average rise of $30 to $80. The blow would be softened if the carbon tax is scrapped from July 1. For the first time in many years, gas percentage increases outstrip electricity as an era of massive power price jolts finally eases. The new charges apply to hundreds of thousands of customers on default tariffs, known as "standing offers," which are generally the most expensive on the market. Customers on discounted contracts can expect similar percentage increases. Mr Dufty said years of bill blowouts had done huge damage. Any extra price pain would tip more battling households into financial strife. "There have been significant increases in disconnections and record numbers in energy hardship programs," Mr Dufty said. Retailers mainly blamed higher electricity distribution and meter charges and wholesale gas costs. They pledged to offer payment plans and energy-saving initiatives. AGL said its gas rise was chiefly due to "an allowance for a reasonable rate of return necessary to manage risks ­associated with supplying gas." It refused to elaborate. Electricity rises were primarily due to "an increase in input costs, including ­increased prices charged by the network businesses to get electricity to homes and businesses." EnergyAustralia marketing and sales general manager David Hamilton said raising prices was always "difficult." State Government modelling, revealed last week, warned gas costs were set to explode 30 per cent within two years. Electricity: 4.8% Gas: 5.2% Electricity: 3.3% Gas: 4.4% Electricity: 1.8% Gas: 4.8% Electricity: 4.3% Gas: 5.3% Electricity: 4.1%