Five questions to ask your electricity and gas providers

Asking the right questions from your energy provider will help you save on your current Electricity and Gas bills.

Shopping for an energy plan can be an overwhelming experience, where deregulation of the energy industry means the average consumer has around 2,000 Compare energy plans to choose from.Unfortunately, some of those plans are downright duds, full of hidden fees and “green” energy that isn’t really green at all. Below are the five questions to ask your energy provider to ensure that are you getting all what you are paying for.

Can the customer have a look at how much energy he use in real-time?

Most of the people are shocked when they receive their first compare energy bill. Many of the thousands of plans are available on Australian Energy Regulators website and are pretty vague about how much they actually charge each month. Energy companies tier their rates based on how many kilowatt hours (kWh) consumers use. The problem is, most consumers have no clue how many hours they’re using, leaving a lot of guesswork around the exact rate they’re paying. The usage can also be changed from season to season or during severe weather, like a drought or heat wave. By knowing how much energy you are actually using daily, you may be able to change your habits and manage your energy spends in a better way.

Why is the customer’s bill higher than the rates advertised on provider’s website?

If your usage amount is the same or have just a minimal difference from the estimated cost that is advertised on the provider’s website then your bill will be the same as mentioned. But if your usage falls outside that very specific amount - then your estimated cost may decrease and vice-versa.

Therefore, your bill will differ based on your actual usage.

What are all these extra fees?

Think you’ve found the perfect plan? Don’t sign on the dotted line before you’ve read the fine print. Many energy companies tack on hidden fees for things like calls to customer service or mailing out disconnection notices.

These little fees are essentially a substitute for providing good customer service, and though they’re small, they can add up too much higher rates than those listed. Review your bill carefully, or check your usage time-to-time, to make sure you’re not paying a premium for add-ons that amount to very little.

What happens if my new supplier increases its prices or changes contract terms?

From the next meter reads or billing period you will be charged updated rates and as per the contract terms they may define the benefit period of the new plan according to their policies.

In that case, customer can switch to any other provider for better prices and plans according to their consumptions.

Customer first will receive the final bill from his current provider and then he will receive the next bill from his/her new provider.

 

Can I cancel a contract once I have applied for it?

After signing up to a new supplier through our website, if you change your mind you can cancel the contract during your standard 10-days cooling-off period and stay with your current/previous provider with the same benefits.

After the cooling-off period expires, you can still cancel the contract at any time without paying any cancellation fees since there is no lock-in contract.

Biggest mistakes you should avoid when switching energy providers

If you are thinking about switching energy suppliers because you are looking for a cheaper tariff or you are just fed up with your current supplier then you need to read this first. It may help you save even more on your gas and electric bills.

How much can I save if I switch?

It takes no more than 5 minutes to do a comparison if you have your latest bill or statement from your current energy supplier in hand.

Most people who switch, especially those on a supplier’s standard energy tariff can usually save hundreds. If you tend to check a couple of times a year than you are likely to be on a more competitive tariff already so the savings are unlikely to be as good unless your current supplier has decided to hike up their prices then it's time to look elsewhere.

Whilst most of the claims are backed up their data samples are usually based on 10% of consumers performing a comparison.

The only real way of seeing how much you can save is punching your numbers into an energy comparison website such as Econnex and comparing your specific circumstances.

 

I've only recently switched and my energy supplier has just increased their prices?

 

If you are on a fixed tariff the cost you pay for the tariff will not increase, however you pay a higher rate for fixed compared to variable. A variable rate can increase at any time but your supplier has to give you 30 days notice giving you enough time to switch to a cheaper tariff. Variable tariff do not usually incur exit or leaving fees.

Generally if you are switching from a standard tariff to a variable rate than any tariff increase your new supplier will announce will not usually make you worse off than you would have been on a Big 6 standard tariff.

How do I know that I've got the cheapest deal?

 

The only sure way of knowing that you have the best possible deal is by making sure that your energy pricing comparison is the most comprehensive. It means using energy price comparison sites that compare the widest range of tariffs, the larger the comparison sites tariff database the cheaper your quotes will be.

I've recently switched and was in credit with my old supplier, how long is it going to take to get my money back?

 

It depends on how slow your old energy company is but from initiating a switch until the money appears back into your bank account it can take 12 weeks on the long side.

Some are much quicker than others but the process is that once your new supplier and old supplier agree on the final meter readings your old supplier will issue a final statement.

Once your final statement has been issued your old supplier will refund any credit balance due which tends to take up to a week from this point.

I'm worried about switching, what if something goes wrong?

Once a switch is initiated there are generally no problems and the switching process is smooth.

You will however never be left without a gas or electricity supply due to the switching process.

Six reasons Why your electricity bill is high

If you think your energy bills keep on increasing with time, you’re not going crazy at all.

According to data from the Australian Energy Information Administration (AEIA), the average Australian faces an electricity bill of at least $118 every month, and over $1,400 every year.

If you’re receiving high electricity bills, it might be because

 

 Misusing Lights and Ceiling Fans

You’ll end up paying more on your power bills if you don’t turn lights and fans off when not in use. Light is efficient when used directly to certain areas of a room, like couches, chairs, kitchen table area and several work spaces. Ceiling lights on entire room is less effective than separate lamps, which is used for providing the light you need.  

Device-Charging Frenzy

If you love new technology and gadgets, then you must be having these gadgets plugged in always for charging and using energy from home - and this ends up paying higher energy bills for you.  

You Keep Too Many Devices on Standby Mode

When you turn off your PC, DVR, PlayStation or other devices, they usually go into standby mode when they’re plugged in, do Power Off your device to save more.

Your devices aren’t asleep during standby. They’re regularly performing updates, downloads, and working more while you’re not using them.

You’re Not Using Your Appliances Efficiently

Just like your vacuum works overtime when it’s clogged with dirt and dust, your appliances have to work harder when they’re not maintained well.

 Following these best practices for running your appliances without running up your bill:

·          Always change your AC air filters

·          Clean your fridge’s condenser coils

·          Always wash/dry a full load of clothes

·          Install a dimmer switch on your lights

·          Keep your fridge and freezer full, but not crowded

·          Always clean the lint trap in your dryer

Your Electricity Rate Fluctuates by the Hour — and You’re Consuming at the Wrong Times

Peak hours of energy consumption are in the morning and evening. This is when the providers are on high demand.

So, in order to lower your bill, try using the appliances at non-peak hours.

6. Weather has been Extreme in Your Area

As we cannot control weather, the best way is to set or program the thermostat and safeguard it against the energy consumption spikes.

Increase the thermostat by 1° only in the summer and save 3% on electricity prices. Whereas decreasing it by only 1° in the winters can give you savings of an average 5%.

Visit Econnex to know more about saving on energy bills

Renewable Energy Sources More Pros Less Cons

Renewable Energy Sources More Pros Less Cons on secure energy underscores the need for reevaluating all energy alternatives, specially those that are clean and renewable. By cause of oil prices are climbing & the demand for alternative renewable sources is consistently growing. Indeed, the alternative energy market is one of the few markets that has seen substantial progress from last two years. One fact is clear; the need for more efficient use of electricity with the integration of renewable energy sources is present. Renewable energy sources are very attractive these days & there are many people who are eager to make this change in there energy consumption



Renewable energy sources are, definitely & fundamentally, the types of motion we, or us rather, the earth, can replenish. Short of blowing up the earth, these energy sources would continue to exist, extracting energy from the ecosystem, and delivering it to us in freely usable forms. If you would like to learn more about renewable energy sources

Compare Gas and Electricity Prices - Secure Greatest Deal

Are you Looking at the huge demand for gas and electricity in current & future scenario many companies have entered into the space of gas and electricity production and distribution business that is resulting in fierce competition between them & sweating of suggestion for customers as they are now relatively better situated to ask for more and more value for their money from the gas and electricity Provider. With this kind of status arising in the market finding a prompt service provider who can provide cheap gas and electricity with consistent operational efficiency is a very herculean task in itself as it requires the data base of all energy providers active in a particular segments an& details

Comparing energy prices

Essay to personally evaluate the energy rates or prices associated with various power businesses is extremely strenuous as well as time consuming. Rather than visiting different power businesses personally want to find out rates as well as prices. Comparing energy prices, you should comprehend given charges. Energy prices or rates along with assigned charge arethose that can't be affected


Since gas and other energy related products have an unstable market price, you have to compare them as often as possible. It is very important probable that the various energy suppliers, especially NSW.

Save Energy on your Kettle

How many times do you boil to get hot water for your tea or coffee? When thinking about efficiency savings at home, do you pay attention to little appliances like the Kettles tend to be simple gadget with little thought put into them for energy. Your average kettle is just a water vessel with a heater element.Visit our sites: Save Energy on your Kettle