By Elsa Evers of Electrify 2515

If your energy bill felt steep this winter, it’s not your imagination. Households across the nation are facing higher power costs, driven by expensive fossil fuels, breakdowns in ageing coal stations, and the huge investment needed to upgrade transmission lines. Add in winter heating and less solar, and it’s been a tough couple of months for the family budget.

Last year, the ACCC found that more than 80 per cent of Australian households could save money by switching to a cheaper electricity plan, yet few actually do it. Here are some practical things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best deal on your electricity:

1. Understand your bill and energy use

Start by reading your latest electricity bill closely. Look for your daily rate, current tariff, solar feed in tariff and usage amounts. Depending on which retailer you are with, you could also check your usage in more details by logging into your account online or via an app. This will let you see when you are using the most electricity and help you understand how you could save money.

2. Compare plans and switch

Don’t assume your energy retailer is giving you the best deal. Even if you’re happy with your current provider, ask them: “What’s your best available offer? The Australian Government requires retailers to make this calculation and let you know about better deals. 

Then try visiting the Energy Made Easy website. This is a free tool by the Australian Energy Regulator. This will highlight potentially cheaper plans from alternative energy retailers. If you find a better deal, making the switch is easier than many people think. Simply find your National Metering Identifier (NMI) on your bill, ring your preferred retailer, ask to switch to your preferred plan, and they will do the rest. Even a small difference in rates can add up over the year. 

3. Set and save

In general, the more you use your own solar or take advantage of any cheaper tariffs on your plan, the cheaper your overall bills will be. To do this, try moving some of your high energy use activities to the middle of the day, or the middle of the night - depending on whether you have solar or cheaper times on your plan. For example, you might use a timer to set your hot water to heat between 10am and 2pm. Or, if you are at home, plan to charge your EV at this time.

A little time spent comparing options could mean real savings on your household budget. For a practical guide to help you navigate electricity plans and find what works for your household, visit www.electrify2515.org/electricity-plans.