Victoria Energy Providers

Best value energy providers in Victoria

Are you a chronic sufferer of energy bill shock? Luckily, if you live in Victoria, there is a cure. Unlike some Australian states, Victoria has a deregulated energy market which means you have the freedom to switch energy providers whenever you like. So if your current energy plan is leaving a little more to be desired, shop around for a better deal? Mozo can help you out with our comparison tool above. 

What should I look for in a good energy plan? 

Most energy providers in Victoria offer different kinds of energy plans for you to choose from. 
But whether you’re searching for an individual plan or a dual gas and electricity service, here are some of the features you should look for before signing up: 

No lock-in contracts and exit fees: If you opt for an energy plan without any lock-in contracts or exit fees, you’ll have the flexibility to leave or move onto another offer anytime you like - without having to pay fees. That way, if you feel unhappy with your current energy deal, you won’t feel stuck and can make the switch to a better plan whenever it suits.

Green power option: Looking to go environmentally friendly? You could sign up to a plan with a retailer that uses renewable energy. This will put your mind at ease that your energy usage will be offset by the renewable energy that’s been added to the grid on your behalf.

Bill smoothing: No one enjoys the bitter taste of bill shock after summer or winter when your gas and electricity bills tend to skyrocket, thanks to your generous use of the air-conditioner or heater during those seasons. For some Aussies who earn a fixed salary, finding that extra bit of cash to cover the more expensive energy bill isn't always easy. 

That’s when bill smoothing comes in handy. Many energy retailers in Victoria have plans with flexible payment options that allow you to spread the estimated annual cost of their service across equal monthly, fortnightly or weekly payments. This option to pay in regular installments could make it a lot easier for you to manage your household budget. Read our guide on bill smoothing to learn more about the ins and outs of how this feature works. 

How much does energy cost in Victoria?

The cost of your energy service will depend on where you live in Victoria and of course, how much energy your household consumes. Your energy bill can be broken down into two separate charges: 

Usage charge: Your provider will charge you for every unit of gas or electricity you use, so the less gas or electricity you use, the cheaper your bill will be. You can lower your bill in a number of ways, including switching to more energy-efficient appliances. For more ways to save on energy, check out our energy saving tips. 

Daily supply charge: Even if you don’t use any electricity, you’ll have to pay a daily supply charge, which is the fixed price per day for connecting your house to the electricity grid. 

The general rule of thumb is: 

• Supply charge is more important for customers with low energy usage, since it generally makes up a bigger portion of their bill
• Usage charge is more important for customers with high energy usage

To find out exactly how much energy your household consumes, you’ll need to check your energy bill. Most retailers will send a copy to you once every quarter, either via the post or via email. On your bill, you’ll see a range of information including: 

• Your name, address and meter number 
• The amount owed and the due date
• The billing period - the time period you’re being charged for 
• The meter readings used to calculate your energy usage over the billing period - this is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) for electricity and megajoules (MJ) for gas
• The amount your retailer is charge per kWh of electricity or per MJ of gas 
• The fixed supply charge for the billing period 
• Any other fees or charges that apply 

How can I reduce my energy bill? 

You can reduce the size of your energy bill in two ways. 

Firstly, of course, it’s about cutting back on the amount of energy you use. Small changes in your habits and lifestyle could help a lot in this department. 

Apps are a great way to help you stay on track, as they can monitor your energy usage, and even check the efficiency of an appliance you’re thinking of purchasing. 

Depending on the season you’re in, you could try actioning a number of different energy-saving tricks and tactics. Below are just some of those tactics to prepare you for summer or winter, so you’re ready to either beat the heat or brace the cold, without getting hit by bill shock at the end of each quarter. 

Summer: 

• Close your windows and curtains during the day: That’s right! Just by closing your windows and curtains whenever the sun comes out, or installing ‘blackout curtains’ (that block out the sunlight), you could be preventing 30% of unwanted heat from entering your home. Then, at night, when the air cools down, you could open up all your windows to let in the breeze and ventilate.  
• Trade in your aircon for cotton bedsheets: Mozo’s report found Aussies could be footing a collective bill of $2.5 billion thanks to bad aircon habits, with 3 in 10 admitting they’d rather keep the aircon on all night to sleep under a doona. But swapping out those thick bed covers for thinner cotton sheets could do wonders in making sure you aren’t tossing and turning in sweat through the night - and you’ll be able to dodge that spike in your energy bill too! 
• Keep yourself cool: There are plenty of ways to keep your body cool throughout summer, without having to rely on aircon. Apply cold cloths to the back of your neck, wrists and chest. Or head down to the $2 shop to pick up a few spray bottles and fill them with icy water so you can spritz yourself whenever you need to. And if you’re really thinking outside the box, eating spicy foods could help you sweat more and cool down. 

Winter:  

• Seal sneaky leaks in the walls, windows and the roof: Small cracks around the house, whether under the door or between the window pane and glass, could become a serious annoyance during winter, as any gust of wind could pass through those gaps and send a chill shiver down your spine. Luckily, draught stoppers could go a long way to keeping the cold outside and the heat indoors.
• Upgrade your appliances to a better star rating: Check your big-ticket appliances, like your fridge, washing machine and heater, to see if any of them need an upgrade. That’s because appliances with a better star rating use less energy for the same output and could go a long way to reducing your energy bill.
• Move to a fixed installment plan: Scared of being left with the bitter aftertaste of winter bill shock? A fixed installment or bill smoothing plan could help out - with this type of plan, you can choose to pay a fixed amount of your energy bill on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, making your payments more consistent and a lot easier on your bank account. 

But no matter the weather in Victoria, one of the biggest ways you could save on your energy bill is to switch to a better value plan. If you’ve been with the same energy supplier for a while, it’s likely that your energy plan won’t be the most competitive in the market right now, so be sure to shop around and compare your current offer with other providers in your area to see where savings can be made on your deal. 

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Cooper Langby

Money writer

Cooper writes across all aspects of personal finance here at Mozo. With a double degree in Journalism and Communications & Media from the University of Wollongong, Cooper has previously written sports content for the Fansided network. He is now turning his focus to finances and is always looking for new ways to educate himself and our readers on the best ways to save money, and budget effectively.