Spring to action on reducing energy bill

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*Expedia data based on travel dates: 23rd December 2017 - 1st January 2018

Sophie Churchland, 26, and boyfriend Jay Yeomans, 27, have already booked their Christmas skiing holiday to Japan and have saved money by booking early. Picture: TOBY ZERNA ENERGY bill pain remains a hot topic for many consumers – especially those who are getting slugged by soaring prices and have failed to take any action.

But the arrival of spring for Australians living in cooler climates may lead to some easing of bill pain as temperatures warm and heaters are needed less often.

In recent months, the Federal Government has put energy retailers under intense scrutiny for not being transparent enough about power pricing and there’s no doubt consumers remain baffled on how to distinguish if they are paying too much.

One of the nation’s largest energy retailers, Energy Australia’s chief customer officer, Kim Clarke, said there’s a few handy tips consumers should consider when hunting down a better deal.

“I always recommend they look at around three retailers to make sure they’re getting a service that suits their needs,’’ she said.

“If you want a truly independent comparison, we recommend going to the Federal Government’s Energy Made Easy site.

“The industry needs to get behind sites like that so customers can have confidence they’re playing on a level playing field.”

Examining the daily supply charge and charge in cents per kilowatt hour after a discount has been applied is the best place to start.

Canstar Blue’s spokesman Simon Downes urges all consumers to zoom in on their usage and supply rates on their bill and then compare them to previous bills to see if there’s been any changes.

“All the information you need is right in front of you, you just need to become familiar with it,” he said. “Getting to know your energy bills is the first step towards becoming a savvy energy shopper and getting a better deal.”

Also, consumers should understand whether they are on a fixed-term contract, and if so, weigh up their options once this period is coming to an end to see if they can score themselves a better deal.