With the rising cost of living affecting many Aussie households, we understand that receiving a higher than usual energy bill can cause additional stress. We break down what can influence your energy bill and how you can take control of your usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Seasons tend to have a direct impact on the way we use our energy, in summer<\/a> we use air conditioners to cope with the blistering Aussie heat, and in winter<\/a>, we turn to heaters and electric blankets to keep ourselves warm and cosy. It\u2019s for this reason we recommend comparing your bill with a bill for the same time last year, rather than the one before it. 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\u202fsubmit a self-read<\/a>\u202fto us (as long as it\u2019s 10 business days either side of your scheduled read date). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you hold an eligible concession card<\/a>, this should be shown under the discounts and rebates section of your bill. If your rebate hasn\u2019t been applied, please reach out to our friendly team, so they can make sure your bill is updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your plan, and discount, may have ended. If it has, then it\u2019s time to choose another one. You can see which energy plan you\u2019re on by logging onto My Account<\/a> or looking at the front page of your bill. If your plan has lapsed, you can select a new one via our\u202fcompare plans page<\/a>, it only takes a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re all human and we all have needs (who can go without their morning cup of coffee?), but some appliances<\/a> 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\u202fhome energy audit<\/a>\u202fby using\u202four checklist<\/a>. This is a great first step when it comes to understanding your usage habits. If you\u2019re still unsure about the reason for the increase in your energy bill, check out our\u202fhigh bill checklist<\/a>.\u202fAlternatively, reach out to our friendly team via hello@origin.com.au<\/a> and we\u2019d be happy to go through your bill with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seasonally, we can also adopt smarter usage habits. Beat the winter chill by heating your main living spaces \u2013 rather than individual rooms, and when running your heater ensure you set the temperature between 18 \u2013 20 degrees Celsius. Each degree over uses\u202fabout 10% more energy<\/a>.\u202f
In summer, when you run your air conditioner set it to\u202f24\u00b0C or higher<\/a>\u202f(each degree under uses 5% more energy). \u202fTo get the most bang for buck out of your cooling and heating, keep the doors shut and curtains drawn \u2013 trapping the air. Repair any faulty door seals and opt for door snakes and weather strips to block any gaps where air can escape.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\nCheck the meter read type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are you eligible for rebates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check your energy plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do an energy audit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, our handy\u202fenergy saving tips\u202fcan help make sure you\u2019re getting the most out of your appliances \u2013 providing you with optimum settings \u2013 helping you save on your usage without sacrificing on comfort.
Lastly, there are plenty of\u202fsmart devices<\/a>\u202fthat can help you take control of your usage. From timers, to\u202fsmart plugs<\/a>\u202fand even home energy monitors that can tell you how much power you\u2019re drawing from the grid at any given time. Investing in some energy tech could help you save in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe’re here to help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n