Energy saving: 4 tips to get a grip on your energy bill
For some Aussies, energy bills can sometimes leave us in a state of bill shock. And if this is an all too familiar feeling in your household, you might be thinking about how you can get a better grip on your upcoming bill.
The good news is there are a few things you can do right now - and what's even better is that they won’t even cost you a dime.
Small changes, big results
One way to get on top of your energy costs is to make small adjustments with your usage around the house. There are a number of ways you can do this, from your washing to the heating: for instance, try washing your clothes in cold water, as the majority of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating up the water. Other ways to reduce your usage include taking shorter showers, remembering to unplug appliances at the wall and throwing on more layers of clothing to stay warm instead of switching on the heating.
Ask your retailer for help
If money is tight right now, it could be worth contacting your energy retailer to see if there’s something they can do to help.
Under Retail Law, all energy providers are required to have hardship plans, which help financial struggling households get on top of their energy bills. Depending on the retailer, this could be a personalised payment plan, switching your current plan to a more affordable offer or helping you apply for any energy rebates you might be eligible for.
*If you require financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, find out what your retailer is doing to support customers by reading our energy relief package wrap up.
Ensure you weren’t overcharged
Mistakes happen. If you think your bill is too high and you have been overcharged by your energy retailer, there’s a chance you could be right. Find out if your energy retailer has overcharged you by either checking your previous bill for any outstanding payments that might have rolled over to this bill or by getting in touch with their customer service to issue a complaint.
Compare energy: Other options
The biggest way to see a difference in your energy bills is to take the time to shop around and compare other offers. This is even more important to do if it’s been a while since you last took a look at your energy deal. Over the last few years, we've seen smaller energy retailers enter the market with competitive pricing and innovative technology up their sleeve.
These retailers also have nifty apps that can help you monitor your usage and notify you when prices are high. So what are you waiting for? Enter your postcode below to find out if you could be getting a better deal on your energy.
