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.
