3 ways to find out if your energy retailer has overcharged you
Picture this, you’ve been doing your best to reduce your energy usage for a while. From taking shorter showers to upgrading your appliances to more energy efficient versions, there’s not one tactic you haven’t tried.
Then your energy bill arrives and well … it’s a lot higher than you thought. Sound familiar?
If you think your energy retailer has overcharged you, chances are you might be right! One way to really be sure is to check out our three tips below.
Check your previous bill
One simple reason your bill may be higher is because there was an outstanding payment on your previous bill that your retailer has rolled over. This might be because you were previously undercharged, didn’t pay your previous bill in full or there was a delay in issuing your bill.
Not sure what you should be keeping an eye out for? Our reading electricity bills guide can help.
Make a complaint to your retailer
If you do believe there has been a mistake with your energy bill, your first step should be to get in touch with your retailer to make a complaint. While it might feel uncomfortable if you’ve never done it before, it could mean the difference between saving a bundle on what was initially a hefty bill.
Simply explain the reason for your call and ask if they’d be willing to look into the issue for you. It’s a good idea to have as much information as possible to support your complaint. This could be a copy of your contract or your previous and current bill.
Need a little help with knowing what to say? Check out our handy how-to guide.
Compare … then switch to a better offer
One last step is to consider the bigger picture and compare your offer to others in the market. This is highly encouraged if you’ve never switched providers before, as there are new, smaller retailers offering competitive prices.
In fact, a recent Mozo number crunch using 427 energy plans from 37 electricity providers, the average Aussie household could save $544 a year by making the switch to a more competitive deal.
So if you’re ready to find out how much you could be saving on your energy deal, grab your most recent bill and enter your postcode below to get started.
