Avoid bill shock this winter: check your meter reading, and your plan

On the day of the winter solstice, it is a great time to take simple steps to help avoid bill shock through the winter months.

Essential Services Commission Chairperson Kate Symons says Victoria’s robust consumer protection framework helps Victorians get a fair deal when accessing essential services like electricity and gas. 

“Under Victorian energy laws, consumers can submit their own meter readings to counter estimated bills, and energy retailers can only back-bill customers for underestimated bills for up to 4 months of charges.

“There continues to be competitive market offers for gas and electricity available to Victorians, and with the Victorian Default Offer going down by 6 per cent on average for households on the Victorian Default Offer on 1 July, now is a good time to check the Victorian Energy Compare website to see if you are on the best deal,” Commissioner Symons said.

Check your own meter reading

While gas and electricity bills are generally based on a reading of your meter, sometimes this is not possible and your retailer may bill you for estimated usage. If your bill has been estimated, it must say so. It may appear as the letter ‘e’ or the word ‘estimated’ next to the usage charge.

Estimated bills may be inaccurate. If your usage is overestimated, you may be billed more than you are expecting up-front. And if your usage is underestimated, it may lead to a higher bill in the future to make up for the shortfall. 

You can compare an estimated bill to your meter reading and request an adjustment from your energy retailer. Known as a “self-read”, it is as simple as taking a photo of your meter reading and submitting it to your energy retailer before your bill is due.

Contact your energy retailer or check their website to find out how to submit a self-read.

If your bill was underestimated, and you haven’t done anything to prevent access to your meter, your retailer must give you enough time to pay the additional amount. If your energy retailer has undercharged you, they can only back-bill you for up to 4 months of charges. 

Check if you are on the best deal

In Victoria, your energy retailer must tell you if they can offer you a better deal once every 3 months for electricity, and once every 4 months for gas.

Your energy bill will contain a section saying, “Could you save money on another plan”. If there is a better plan for you based on your usage, your bill will tell you the name of the plan and how much money you would save if you switched. 

Even if you are on the best deal from your current retailer, there might be a better deal on the market. You can use the government’s Victorian Energy Compare website to compare energy offers for a better deal.