The Commerce Commission is being urged to weigh its options carefully, before allowing power bills to rise

It's proposing to increase revenue limits for Transpower and 16 local lines companies, over the next five years to help cover rising maintenance costs of the national grid.

Electric bills would increase by an average 15 dollars a month from next April -- and five-dollars a month over the following four years.

Consumer Advocacy Council Chair Deborah Hart says all alternatives need to be considered.

She says many people struggle to afford power and more than 100-thousand already can't afford to heat their home.