Energy prices change regularly, so getting into the habit of reviewing your plans annually can help keep your household bills down. We know no-one likes the life admin that comes with reviewing utilities, so we’ve pulled together a handy checklist to help guide you through finding the right plan for you.

What do you need from an energy plan?

There are a lot of energy plans on the market and what works for one household may not be right for another. With so many plans and providers to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. A great place to start is by narrowing down what’s most important to you. Here are four key things to consider.

• Ease: How easy, and fast, is it to connect or switch providers? Does your provider offer electricity and gas, or even internet (making it a one-stop for your life admin needs)? Are there bundle deals?
• Convenience: What bill and payment options are available? Do they offer Live Chat and an online portal? Is there a mobile app for when you’re on the go?
• Control: Is it easy to check your energy rates? Can you easily access your energy usage online?
• Cleaner options: Do they offer any green energy products or add-ons, and if you have solar, what is the feed-in tariff like?

Compare apples with apples

Once you’ve narrowed down what’s important to you, the next step is to take a look at your current offer and compare it. If you’re looking for new ways to reduce your energy bill, reviewing some of your previous bills is bound to reveal some insights that will help point you toward a new plan that works for you.

• What is the base rate that you’re paying? And how does it compare to the DMO or VDO?
• Does your current plan have any bonuses or discounts?
• Is your plan flexible? Can you exit at any time without getting charged?
• Are your customer service needs being met?
• Victorian Energy Compare and Energy Made Easy (for customers outside of Victoria) are independent sites that allow you to compare plans across different retailers.
• You should also check for any hidden fees and additional costs you might be paying, or any exit fees you may need to pay if you decide to change providers.

Understand your energy usage

Have a close look at how many kWh of electricity, or MJ of natural gas, you’re using each quarter, along with what tariff you’re currently on. If you’re on a peak rate tariff, or a time of use (TOU) tariff, do these meet your household’s current needs? If you are on TOU or off-peak tariff check what times you should be using your power to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

If you can, try to look at all four quarters for your usage – your energy use will most likely fluctuate as the seasons change. Take note of your average daily usage and use this as the basis for comparing new plans.

A checklist for comparing

Use our quick, and handy, checklist the next time you’re comparing offers:

• Check the rate per kWh/MJ and check the fine print to determine the true energy costs. Check out our Pricing Explained page for a detailed breakdown about how pricing works.
• Since we don’t charge any exit fees, you can try out any Origin plan and swap to another if your needs change.
• Consider the daily supply charge. This is the fee for supplying energy to your property – even if you don’t use any electricity or gas this rate will still apply. These charges can vary from retailer to retailer (and between distributors).
• Find out how often you receive your bill and what your payment options are.
• Do late fees apply? If so, try to avoid them by setting up recurring BPAY payments or an ongoing payment plan like Easipay.
• If you have solar panels, take into account feed-in tariffs and solar specific plans – like Solar Boost.
• Are there any other admin fees for things like paying over the counter or receiving your bill in the post?
• Find out if there’s a contract, how long it’s for and if there are any exit fees should you change your mind and wish to switch providers down the track.
• Are there any other perks? For example virtual power plants, loyalty programs or partnerships like Everyday Rewards or energy-saving rewards programs that add extra value.

The post Tips for finding the best energy plan appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Why do estimated meter reads happen?

Estimated meter reads are essentially best guesses. They’re sent through to your retailer (Origin is an energy retailer) when the local distributor can’t read your meter — usually this is because they’re unable to safely access your meter due to either unrestrained pets, locked gates or even long grass. In rare instances, it can be due to severe weather events like flooding or bushfires, faulty meter reading equipment or issues with the meter data (when it looks like you’re using a lot more, or significantly less, than usual for that time of year).

How can I avoid an estimated bill?

The best way to avoid an estimated read is to make sure there’s always easy and safe access to your meter. One of the most common reasons for estimated reads are our furry family members. Sadly not everyone’s a fan of the four-pawed and sometimes even the most friendly dogs don’t take too kindly to having strangers in their yard. On top of the meter readers safety, there’s also the concern for your pets welfare – we’d hate for them to make like Houdini and escape!

To make sure your meter read goes off without a hitch, ensure your pet can’t access the meter. A few options are keeping them in a separate fenced off section, asking a friend to mind them or keeping them indoors for the day.

Providing clear access to your meter will also help reduce the chances of you getting an estimated bill. Make sure your grass is trimmed, there are no objects that could be a tripping hazard and there aren’t any vehicles blocking the way. If your meter’s located in a particularly odd nook or cranny, please let us know, as we can provide access details to the local distributor who reads your meter.

We also know how important it is to feel safe and secure in your home, so if you’ve got a gate that needs to be locked, there are distributor approved locks you can purchase. These allow the meter readers to get the job done, whilst maintaining your peace of mind. Most distributors list their preferred locksmiths on their website, so if you pop in your details we’ll let you know who’s the distributor in your area. A little unsure? No problem! Send us a message on Facebook and we’d be happy to point you in the direction of an approved locksmith.

How to check your estimated reading

The easiest way to see whether the estimated reading’s in line with your usage is to compare it with actual read on your meter. If the reading on your meter is higher than the estimate on your bill, this would indicate it’s in line – if the reading on your meter is less, your usage has likely been overestimated. Not sure how to read your meter? We’ve got you covered.

My bill’s been overestimated, what now?

Sometimes the readings we receive from the distributor may be different to what you’ve actually used, there’s a few ways to get this sorted out. You can choose to wait it out until you receive your next bill and if it’s an actual meter read, it will balance out the estimated read. Otherwise, if your estimated bills due date is no later than today’s date, you can submit a self-read and we’ll use the self-meter read you have provided to adjust your estimated bill with updated usage information and a new due date. We can do this within five business days – if you’ve got email billing you’ll receive the new bill within five business days. Get your bills via snail mail? It can take up to 10 business days to reach you.

Disclaimer

There are some situations where you may not be able to submit a self meter read . For further assistance, please reach out to our team via 13 24 61 or by emailing hello@origin.com.au

The post The ins and outs of estimated bills appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Estimated reads can be pretty close, but aren’t 100% accurate. The good news is, you can do a self-meter read in 4 easy steps, to ensure you’re only billed for the energy you’ve used. Your meter is important because it collects data that lets us know how much energy you’ve used, and in turn, your bills are based on this data.

Why do estimated meter reads happen?

There are two types of meters: smart (also referred to as digital) and basic. If you’ve got a basic meter there’s a chance we may have to bill you based on an estimated meter read from time to time. Estimated readings can happen for a number of reasons, from the local distributor (who reads your meter) being unable to get safe access, due to pets or gates, right through to things like floods, bushfires and other natural disasters.

While estimated readings can be pretty close — they’re often based on data for the same period the year prior — they’re not 100% accurate. To get around this, you can do a meter read yourself and submit it to us. This will ensure you’re only paying for the energy that you’ve actually used.

The data you send through to us also allows you to view your actual usage in My Account (online or in the app) and gives you a more accurate understanding of your energy usage patterns. 

Watch our video below to learn where your meter might be located, how to read your basic meter and submit the information to us. 

How to do a self-meter read  

Now you know where to locate your meter and how to read it. You can read and submit data from your electricity, natural gas and hot water meters to us.

The post How to do a self-meter read in 4 simple steps appeared first on The Origin Blog.

We’ve listened to your feedback

We listened to your feedback and made the changes that mattered the most. We’ve gone above and beyond to make our bills as customer-friendly as possible. The updated bill also adheres to new regulatory billing guidelines which aim to give energy bills a consistent format so it’s easier for customers to read and understand. We’ve made the updated bill more user-friendly by using simple language, increasing the font size and modernising the overall design so it’s easier for everyone to read. 

Key features of our updated bill

Here’s what you’ll notice when your next bill is delivered:

• A new layout – your bill now has a clean, clutter-free design. The most important information is now more prominent.  
• Brighter colours – improved contrast and softer tones means better readability. 
• Larger font and clearer tables – the technical details on your bill are designed to be less confusing. We’ve increased the font size and simplified tables for improved accessibility. 
• Prominent key details – concessions, rebates, and tariffs are now in the spotlight, so you know exactly what is applied to your account. ‘Better Offer’ details will also be on the first page; if there’s a better Origin offer for you, we’ll let you know. 
• Payment details grouped together – the Australia Post payment barcode has been moved to the front page along with all other payment methods.  

You’ll hear more details about the bill redesign in the coming weeks.

Committed to fairness and simplicity

Our bill redesign reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency and user-friendly interactions. We’re here to make sure you’re treated fairly and can easily manage and understand your energy usage and charges. 

The post A new look for your energy bill appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Consider the seasons

Seasons tend to have a direct impact on the way we use our energy, in summer we use air conditioners to cope with the blistering Aussie heat, and in winter, we turn to heaters and electric blankets to keep ourselves warm and cosy. It’s for this reason we recommend comparing your bill with a bill for the same time last year, rather than the one before it.  
 
Seasonally, we can also adopt smarter usage habits. Beat the winter chill by heating your main living spaces – rather than individual rooms, and when running your heater ensure you set the temperature between 18 – 20 degrees Celsius. Each degree over uses about 10% more energy.  
 
In summer, when you run your air conditioner set it to 24°C or higher (each degree under uses 5% more energy).  To get the most bang for buck out of your cooling and heating, keep the doors shut and curtains drawn – trapping the air. Repair any faulty door seals and opt for door snakes and weather strips to block any gaps where air can escape. 

Check the meter read type

In some instances, your local distributor (who takes your meter reading) may submit an estimated reading to us. This is usually due to access issues or in some cases severe weather events (like flooding). You can check your meter ready type on the second page of your bill. If your bill is based on an estimated reading, you may be able to submit a self-read to us (as long as it’s 10 business days either side of your scheduled read date). 

Are you eligible for rebates?

If you hold an eligible concession card, this should be shown under the discounts and rebates section of your bill. If your rebate hasn’t been applied, please reach out to our friendly team, so they can make sure your bill is updated.

Check your energy plan

Your plan, and discount, may have ended. If it has, then it’s time to choose another one. You can see which energy plan you’re on by logging onto My Account or looking at the front page of your bill. If your plan has lapsed, you can select a new one via our compare plans page, it only takes a few minutes.

Do an energy audit

We’re all human and we all have needs (who can go without their morning cup of coffee?), but some appliances use more electricity than others. There are a few ways you can check which appliances may be drawing the most power. Firstly, you can do a home energy audit by using our checklist. This is a great first step when it comes to understanding your usage habits. 
 
Secondly, our handy energy saving tips can help make sure you’re getting the most out of your appliances – providing you with optimum settings – helping you save on your usage without sacrificing on comfort. 
 
Lastly, there are plenty of smart devices that can help you take control of your usage. From timers, to smart plugs and even home energy monitors that can tell you how much power you’re drawing from the grid at any given time. Investing in some energy tech could help you save in the long run.

We’re here to help

If you’re still unsure about the reason for the increase in your energy bill, check out our high bill checklist. Alternatively, reach out to our friendly team via hello@origin.com.au and we’d be happy to go through your bill with you. 

The post What to do if you receive a high energy bill appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Over the past 12 months, Origin has increased the support we provide to customers in need, providing additional relief for customers financially impacted by COVID-19.  

There’s support available for those who need it. 

Keeping the power on

Origin’s ‘Power On’ program has been providing tailored support to customers experiencing financial hardship since 2003. Last financial year we spent $15 million on the program to support customers. 

We currently support approximately 28,000 customers through Power On. Last financial year 33,000 customers completed the program as we helped them get back on track with their energy bills. 

Our specialist team sets up tailored payment plans for customers, provides referrals to financial help and can organise energy-efficiency audits and upgrades to newer energy-efficient appliances. We also help customers access government support that’s available, including concessions and grants.  

By listening to and understanding each customer’s needs and providing tailored assistance, we try to give customers both short-term relief and longer-term solutions to help with their financial situation so they can get on top of their energy bills – and stay there. 

We work with a range of community organisations to provide this support, including Financial Counselling Australia, Kildonan UnitingCare and Uniting Communities.  

COVID-19 support

For customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and keep in touch with us about their payment difficulties, we continue to make sure that they’re not disconnected or default-listed.  

Since March 2020, we’ve provided payment extensions to more than 360,000 residential customers, and provided additional deferrals for more than 100,000 customers. 

Many small and medium-sized businesses were hit hard by the downturn in business due to the pandemic. Our support for these customers has included providing short-term payment extensions for more than 46,000 businesses, and deferring payments for more than 20,000 businesses.  

We have also created a new 24-month payment plan for small business to allow them more time and greater flexibility to pay their bills, as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic. 

Helping our customers when they need it most

One of our customers, Kylie*, has done it tougher than most over recent years after several natural events severely impacted her operations and financial position. Kylie called us in early 2020 seeking help after her farm, already impacted by drought for the past six years, lost all its crops in the NSW bushfires. She then borrowed money and replanted crops only to lose them a week later in a flash flood. 

We were able to waive the $1,400 balance on Kylie’s energy account, provide information about support available through financial counsellors, Lifeline and Service NSW’s drought support, and put her on a new energy plan that better suited her needs.  

What our customers say

We know how much our customers value the support we offer when they are in need – because they tell us. 

Our key customer satisfaction metrics have also improved significantly over the past seven months. This indicates our customers are more satisfied with Origin when we demonstrate our commitment to communities and those experiencing vulnerability. 

What can I do if I need help with my bills?

Our Customer Advocacy team is here to help.  There’s support available if you need it, and we encourage people to reach out and have a chat with us to discuss what help is available to them. 

*not customer’s real name 

The post Supporting customers experiencing hardship appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Women lost more jobs than men, took on more unpaid work in the home including home-schooling children, and were less likely to receive government support.

In addition, almost one in 10 Australian women in a relationship have experienced domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis, with two-thirds saying the attacks started or became worse during the pandemic. A survey of 15,000 Australian women also revealed 4.6 percent of all women experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former cohabiting partner between February and May 2020.

In Victoria, vulnerable women were left even more susceptible to abuse with extended restrictions stopping people from seeking help and perpetrators using lockdowns to further control and isolate their victims.

Supporting women in crisis

Sadly, the true extent of family violence will only emerge in the months and years to come, so it’s more important than ever to invest in support for front-line practitioners and organisations who lead Victoria’s family violence response.

This is one of the many reasons Origin is pleased to support The Queen’s Fund, a non-profit organisation that provides emergency funding to Victorian women and children facing homelessness, domestic violence, family crisis, mental illness and disability.

“We’re so proud of this partnership with The Queen’s Fund, whose important work helps to give vulnerable women in Victoria the crucial breathing space they need to get back on their feet after significant financial hardship or abuse,” said Jan Prichard, General Manager, Customer Care at Origin.

Origin began its partnership with The Queen’s Fund in 2018 to assist vulnerable women with their energy bills in the form of debt waivers. Origin also supports customers who have experienced or survived family violence directly, providing bill credits worth approximately $65,000 nationally.

The life-changing work of The Queen’s Fund

The Queen’s Fund has had an immeasurable impact on many women’s lives, such as single mother Erin* who lost her job at a factory in June 2020. Erin receives no financial support from her child’s father and prefers to have no connection to him due to family violence. Struggling to pay for her family’s necessities, The Queen’s Fund requested support from Origin to waive Erin’s $350 electricity bill, which meant Erin could put her government income towards rent and groceries.

In the year to February 2021, The Queen’s Fund helped nearly 400 women like Erin, and more than 450 children. It provided $130,000 to help pay for food, rent, household bills, essential appliances, school uniforms and even second-hand laptops so children could connect to online learning during the Victorian lockdowns.

Sally McLean, President of The Queen’s Fund, predicts that the demand for assistance from The Queen’s Fund during the COVID-19 lockdown is just the tip of the iceberg.

“We’ve had a steady flow of applications from women affected by the lockdown, but we definitely haven’t seen the worst of it.”

With the latest ABS monthly labour force data showing that Victoria has the highest number of women who are unemployed, ever, The Queen’s Fund expects that the impacts of the pandemic will continue long after the vaccine rollout addresses the immediate health crisis.

Want to help?

To support The Queen’s Fund with a donation, or to learn more, please visit the website. With an unpaid committee and low overheads covered by a historical bequest, 100 percent of donations to The Queen’s Fund go directly to the women in need.

How we’re helping

We’re proud to support a range of organisations making a positive contribution to their local communities, including Victoria’s The Queen’s Fund, Sydney Alliance’s Voices for Power energy literacy program, Don Dunstan Foundation’s Adelaide Zero Project tackling homelessness and Aboriginal-owned South Australian organisation Nunga Mi:Nimar.

We also provide a range of support for our customers who are in need. We encourage anyone experiencing financial stress to reach out to us so we can assist.

Beyond our key customer advocacy program, Power On, which allows vulnerable customers to access bill relief, concessions and other government support, we’ve introduced new ways to educate and empower customers such as Bring Your Bill Days, and are sponsors of the Financial Counselling Australia National and State Conferences.

If you or anyone you know needs help,
please call 1800 RESPECT or launch an online chat

*Name has been changed.

The post Working together to support vulnerable women in Victoria appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Under the revised offer in partnership with the South Australian Government, concession customers will receive an offer that is 21 percent less than the electricity reference price. That’s also 21 percent off Origin’s base usage and supply charges (an increase from the previous 20 percent discount off Origin’s base usage and supply charges).

That’s an estimated yearly electricity cost of $1,448 for an average household using 4,000 kWh per year in the SA Power Network with flat tariffs.

Concession card holders already on the offer will have this increased discount automatically applied.

New customers can contact Origin on 1300 791 465 to take up the offer.

An additional 145,000 low- and fixed-income households could be eligible for the offer, which could result in approximately $384 annual savings for an average household.¹

“While over 64,000 Energy Concession recipients across South Australia are already benefitting from cheaper electricity through this offer,” said Origin Executive General Manager Retail, Jon Briskin, “there are another 145,000 eligible customers who haven’t yet signed up for the offer. This could be an easy way for them to reduce their electricity bill with just one phone call.”

Customers can access flexible payment options and won’t receive late payment, paper bill or credit card processing fees, or exit fees.

Households receiving the SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) can also take up the Origin Value product which gives them an 11 percent discount on Origin’s base gas usage and supply charges.

“Origin is proud to extend our partnership with the South Australian Government for a fourth straight year and increase the support we provide to customers under an improved Concession Energy Discount Offer,” added Mr Briskin.

“This concession offer is in addition to the average 5.6 percent reduction in electricity prices Origin passed on to their South Australian customers in July this year, equal to a $127 saving on an average annual bill.”²

“We continue to provide additional support to customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19, and I would encourage anyone in this situation to contact us so we can help out.”

“Under additional protections put in place for customers impacted by COVID-19, we are not disconnecting or default listing any customers in financial distress until at least 31 March 2021.”

To take advantage of the offer, customers must be receiving the State Government energy concession. New customers should contact Origin Energy on 1300 791 465 to discuss.

If you have questions relating to eligibility, call Concessions SA on 1800 307 758 or www.sa.gov.au/concessions.  

¹ Estimated saving based on customer using 4,000 kWh per year in SAPN switching from a standing offer with another retailer.

² Weighted average movement based on Origin residential customers on all tariffs in SAPN region. Estimated cost impact based on average annual consumption.

The post Delivering greater savings for SA concession card holders appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Since May we’ve had over 200,000 people use our new iOS app, with a growing number of customers taking control of their Origin account online. With this, we’re now seeing our customers using the app around 2.5 times a week to track their energy usage or manage their account.

Get the app here.

Why download the app?

Our award winning iOS mobile app make it easy for you to:

• Track your energy usage. Break it down with filters like monthly, daily or by billing cycle and more (if you have a smart meter).
• See your past bills and payments.
• Pay your bills with just one tap, or setup direct debit.
• Chat to us directly from the app if you need a helping hand.
• Send us your self meter read (if your meter is eligible – read more).
• Moving house? Now you can book your move in minutes from the app.

Solar customers can even see how much energy they’ve fed back into the grid, and any credits they’ve earned.

More in the works

Our iOS app follows the launch of our first ever Android app, and they now share all of the same great features. We’re excited to see more and more people downloading and using our digital tools, and we’re hard at work on some exciting new features coming up early next year. Keen to take things a little further? Jump into My Account where you can access ‘power features’ like setting alerts for upcoming bills and more.

The post Origin app hits ‘number one in Utilities’ on App Store appeared first on The Origin Blog.