How Not to Get Overcharged For Your Electricity

Are you finding your recent energy bills to be too expensive without any valid reason? Then, you may be getting overcharged for electricity by your provider. Australia’s average energy consumption per household was around 130.6 GJ (gigajoule) between 2018 to 2019. 

Consider changing your plan to a better provider who is transparent with the rates and offers affordable prices. Compare various electricity plans with energy comparison websites.

Reliable websites, such as https://www.econnex.com.au, provide valuable insights to make easy comparisons. You only have to mention the zip code and answer a few questions to find the best plans in your area. 

Read on to know how to avoid getting overcharged for electricity.

Always Check the Meters

The most common way that many get overcharged is through energy meters. They may not necessarily be faulty, but many factors can easily affect the meters. The usual culprits are weak signals within the meter and glitches among the provider’s receiver. 

Depending on your meter type, you may check the efficiency of your meter in the following ways:

For Analogue Meters

Make sure to always submit the meter readings. When you do not submit the readings within the billing period, providers tend to depend on your previous readings. It often leads to overcharged bills. Some providers even collect the readings each month, and the cost may fluctuate.

For Smart Meters

Generally, smart meters send the meter data automatically to you.  However, make sure to recheck the meter readings to verify their accuracy. It helps in preventing the risks of any errors, particularly extra charges. 

Refuse Paying Exit Fees

Paying exit fees ends up draining higher amounts. Many energy suppliers charge it to make sure that you continue staying with them for a longer duration.  Ensure to calculate the exit fees and other penalties before switching to a new provider. 

If your provider increases the prices of your plan while your contract duration is still ongoing, you do not have to pay exit fees. It is permissible as a price change automatically changes the contract terms you signed up for.  

If the provider insists on charging the early termination penalty fees after a price change, you can complain to the relevant authorities. They can help you resolve the issue. 

Query Expensive Bills

Do you notice that your recent bills are too expensive? Make sure to raise a query with the electricity provider. If you are receiving estimated bills from the energy provider, you can get into trouble when the first metered bills arrive after the costs rise. 

If the estimates are too low, your new meter readings can be much higher. You may end up spending the new, higher costs for the energy you consume. These are also called catch-up bills.

When the provider changes the tariff costs while you are receiving the estimated bill, contact the company. Ensure that they accurately spread your extra units throughout the billing period. Consider switching to a regular meter reading to avoid such problems.  

Consider Switching

If nothing works out and your energy bills continue to be expensive, consider switching to another provider. Many have a misconception that switching energy providers involves a challenging and lengthy procedure. However, the process is straightforward and includes less costs.

You can easily compare different electricity providers and plans online. Top websites help you compare numerous plans and choose an affordable plan. 

Once you find a suitable plan, you only require copies of your most recent bill, identification documents, and address proof. Some of the most popular electricity plans include the following:

• Fixed-rate plan
• Variable-rate plan
• Indexed-rate plan

Some plans allow you to choose among various contract durations. It can be month to month, yearly plans, multi-yearly plans, or prepaid plans. You can easily switch when the contract term comes to an end.

Raise a Complaint

When you are suspicious that your energy provider is overcharging your bills, contact them and inquire about it at the earliest. Consider raising a complaint with the company. All suppliers are obliged to treat customer complaints fairly. 

If the provider does not respond after eight weeks, you may take the complaint to the Energy Ombudsman. You may have to provide details of your plan, the charged bills, and other relevant details and documents. They review the dispute and take the necessary follow-up action. You are most likely to receive financial compensation by taking these steps. 

Overcharged bills leave you with unfair extra expenses. Customers have the right to inquire about the bills with the provider. Check your meters regularly and raise a complaint if necessary. You can switch to a more reliable provider by comparing various electricity companies online.