It can be a real surprise when you get an unusually high energy invoice. Below are some reasons that may cause such variations. And tips on how you can manage your energy usage.

User Changes

Controlling the weather

We like to make ourselves comfortable so when the weather is too cold we turn up the heating and when it's too hot we turn up the cooling. In these conditions your systems work harder and use up more energy.

Maintening appliances

Old or faulty appliances can take more energy to run than newer, well maintained ones. Make sure your appliances are working efficiently and fix any faults like loose seals on fridges. 

New appliances

If you've bought a new appliance (e.g. a new plasma tv) or new heating unit, it could be using more energy. Find out more about how much energy your appliances use at www.energyrating.gov.au

People in your house

When the number of people living in your home changes, so does the amount of energy used. Maybe it's visitors or maybe the school holidays are on, all additions to the family mean additions to your energy usage. 

Building your home

While your renovating your home, your energy usage may have increased. Also, once your renovation is complete, you may experience higher daily energy usage as a result of having larger spaces to heat or cool, and more lights to power.

Energy Industry

Check your meter number

If you have changed address and have safe access to your meter, check your meter number. To do this, look to see if the meter number printed on your invoice matches the number on the meter at your home. If the numbers don’t match call us on 1300 662 778.

Estimated reads vs actual reads

There are two ways to read your meter: actual meter readings and estimated readings. An estimated reading is done when your local distribution company is unable to access your meter or a technical issue occurred. You can see if your last bill was based on an estimated read by looking on your invoice. An 'e' will be visible under the pricing calculations.
If your previous invoice was ‘estimated’ and your new invoice is based on an actual read, there may be a variation on the bill to account for the difference between the estimated and actual readings.

A changed meter

Your meter may have recently changed. If your old meter was unknowingly faulty then the new usage reading will be different to the old. New meters may be more accurate in calculating your energy usage, causing an increase in your invoice.

Days in the billing period

If you have moved house recently, or received monthly invoices in the past and now changed to quarterly invoicing, the number of days in the billing period may have changed. More billing days will increase the amount of energy usage billed.