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Electricity and gas plans in Canberra and the ACT
Find the cheapest energy providers operating in the Australian Capital Territory.
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Cheapest big 3 plan
Methodology: The following pick was made by checking prices of AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia on our energy engine on 1 July 2020.
The following list is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in ACT (Postcode: 2601) who consumes 5,499 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded from our picks. Always check the provider's site before applying. Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.
Plan: Origin Max Saver Usage - Online Special
Estimated quarterly price: $453
Between the big 3 retailers (AGL, Energy Australia and Origin), Origin has the best electricity plan for the Australian Capital Territory this month. So long as you don't mind paying online by direct debits and installing the Origin app, you can get this guaranteed discount on your power for a year.
The plan runs month to month with no contract and has a 10-day cooling off period in case you change your mind.
Cheap electricity in ACT
Methodology: The following list was made using prices found checking our energy engine on 1 July 2020.
The following list of cheap plans is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in ACT (Postcode: 2601) who consumes 5,499 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded from our picks. Always check the provider's site before applying. Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.
Rates
Cheap gas plans in ACT
Methodology: The following list was made using prices found checking our energy engine on 1 July 2020.
The following list of cheap plans is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in ACT (Postcode: 2601) who consumes 5,499 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded from our picks. Always check the provider's site before applying. Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.
| Plan | Tariff type | Estimated quarterly price | BPID |
|---|---|---|---|
| EnergyAustralia: No Frills | Single Rate | $665 | BPID |
| Origin Max Saver - Online Special | Single Rate | $907 | BPID |
| Red Energy: Qantas Red Saver | Single Rate | $1,039 | BPID |
| Red Energy: Living Energy Saver | Single Rate | $1,039 | BPID |
| Red Energy: Qantas Red Saver (Bundled) | Single Rate | $1,039 | BPID |
| Red Energy: Red EV Saver | Single Rate | $1,039 | BPID |
| Origin Max Saver - Online Special | Single Rate | $1,047 | BPID |
| Origin Flexi Usage | Single Rate | $1,098 | BPID |
| EnergyAustralia: Total Plan Home | Single Rate | $1,128 | BPID |
| EnergyAustralia: Basic Home | Single Rate | $1,257 | BPID |
List of energy providers in ACT
Most of the energy produced in the ACT comes from solar sources and the government plans to have 90% of the ACT's electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020. The ACT has several solar farms and residents can get solar feed-in tariffs from all of the main retailers operating in the territory. However, not all retailers offer installation so make sure to check if you need to arrange solar installation before signing up.
ACT energy retailers
Evoenergy, owned by ActewAGL, is the main electricity and gas distributor in the ACT but residents can choose from the following energy retailers:
| Link to provider review | ⚡ Electricity | ♨️ Gas | ☀️ Solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActewAGL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| EnergyAustralia | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Origin | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Energy Locals | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powerclub | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Businesses have a few additional options and can sign up for electricity with Next Business Energy and ERM Business Energy. Simply Energy also operates in the ACT, but only accepts customers who are registered for the Next Generation Energy Storage Program.
Energy plans from some of the providers in the ACT: What's on offer?
ActewAGL - Home 20% Offer
Variable rate electricity plan with no connection fee after moving and flexible payments, billed quarterly. Has a guaranteed discount over a 12 month benefit period and no lock-in contracts or exit fees. Choose between 10 and 100% GreenPower.
EnergyAustralia - No Frills
Fixed prices on electricity for the first 12 months, paid by direct debit only. Bills are paid quarterly, there is no lock-in contract, and you can pick from 10 to 100% GreenPower energy. When you opt in you can get full carbon offsets after 6 months.
Origin - Max Saver
You can access this variable rate electricity plan if you pay by direct debit, get your bills and communications online, and install the Origin app. Benefits apply over the first 12 months, and you can get between 25 and 100% GreenPower renewable offsets. No exit fees, with monthly billing options.
Red Energy - Living Energy Saver
In this plan, you receive variable rate electricity with no contract term and flexible payment options. You have a choice of monthly billing and 100% GreenPower, if you want.
Energy Locals - Online Saver Anytime
Prices are fixed until the 1st of July 2020, and there's no lock-in contract. You have a choice of monthly billing and can add in GreenPower options between 10 and 100%.
Note: Plan information last checked on July 2020.
How much is the energy rebate in the ACT?
An energy rebate is a certain amount of money you get back that goes towards reducing your energy bill. Usually, you'll have to meet an eligibility requirement to access a particular rebate, often something like holding an appropriate concession card.
Rebates take two main forms: a flat amount of money back, or a percentage of your total energy bill. To find out what rebates you could be able to access, search for the Australian Capital Territory section of our guide to concessions and rebates.
When are off-peak and on-peak periods in the ACT?
Like several other states, the ACT splits up the day into three separate periods of time as far as power usage is concerned: peak, off-peak, and shoulder. Customers who are on a time-of-use tariff with their power plan will pay different usage rates for each of those periods as follows:
- Peak. 7am - 9am and 5pm - 8pm every day. This is the period of largest energy demand, so it comes with the highest prices.
- Off-peak. 10pm - 7am every day. Lowest demand territory-wide means that prices are the lowest, too.
- Shoulder. All other times (9am - 5pm and 8pm - 10pm every day). Usage rates are somewhere between those for peak and off-peak.
How to read a meter in the ACT
Reading an electricity meter in the ACT can be done either by a technician or yourself. To have a technician do it, you only need to make sure they have easy access to the meter on your property.
If you wish to read the meter yourself, do a safety check. Inspect the meter and meter housing for signs of damage from animals or water, and ensure that none of the visible components are melted or burned, which could be a sign of electrical damage.
From there, the reading process will depend on what kind of meter you have — our meter reading guide has more detail if you want or if yours isn't listed below:
- Smart meter. Smart meters record energy usage in 30 minute time intervals. You won't usually be able to read one manually, and will instead have to visit your retailer's website to get a usage chart.
- Clock face meter. Write down the number on each clock face from left to right. When the dial is placed between two numbers, take the lower one. Ignore the dial labelled 1/10. Your power usage will be the current meter reading minus the one from your latest energy bill.
- Electronic meter. The "display" button should cause your meter to cycle through some readings. If there is more than one reading that gets displayed, record all of them.
How often will you get your bill?
As with most states, residents of the ACT will get their power bill quarterly (or every 3 months) at a minimum. However, your retailer may decide to send it monthly or offer you the option to receive it monthly.
Here's how a few electricity retailers handle bills in the capital territory:
- Origin. On the Flexi Usage plan, Origin will send you a bill every 3 months by default, but customers can opt in for monthly billing if they desire. Asking for your bill by mail instead of email will attract an extra fee.
- Energy Australia. The No Frills plan means bills will only come every quarter, with no choice of monthly billing for customers. Requesting paper bills in the mail will cost you an additional charge.
- ActewAGL. You'll receive your bill every 3 months with no choice of monthly billing on an ActewAGL Home Saver 20% plan. If you want your bills printed on paper and mailed to you, ActewAGL will do so for free.
How do you connect electricity in the ACT?
Relocating from one property to another requires powering off at your old property and reconnecting at your new address. This is a pretty straightforward process in the ACT, so here's a few ways you can go about it depending on your situation:
- Use your current provider. Planning to stay with the same provider? Simply send them a message to let them know the date you're moving and they should be able to handle the switch over completely on your behalf. Make sure your current energy plan is available at your new address first, though.
- Have your landlord or agent do it. If you're renting a place, it's possible that the energy account for the property is handled by your landlord or agent and the costs passed on to you in the form of rent or such. In this case, sit down with your landlord, figure out the details, and they'll do the rest.
- Compare online. Moving house is the perfect opportunity to make a clean break from your existing plan and find something new. Searching out a better deal might help you save money in the long run by comparing plans online.
There may be fees associated with connecting and disconnecting your power and gas from one property to the next, charged by the distributor. There is only one distributor for both utilities in the ACT, EvoEnergy, and they charge the following rates:
| Distributor | Connection fee | Disconnection fee |
|---|---|---|
| EvoEnergy (electricity) | $88.47 | $38.28 |
| EvoEnergy (natural gas) | $19.47 | $19.47 |
How to get cheaper energy
- Check base rates. The base rates are how much you pay per unit of energy that you consume, and are the most important part of an energy plan. Other discounts and features aside, cheaper usage rates usually translate to cheaper energy bills.
- Investigate discounts. Discounts have two flavours: conditional, where you have to meet a certain condition for it to apply, and guaranteed, which will apply regardless. Guaranteed discounts are preferable to conditional ones, but both will generally apply only for a limited period of time.
- Consider tariffs. Most plans offer a flat rate, where you pay the same amount no matter when you use power. Consider switching to a time of use tariff, where the day is split into peak and off-peak usage. If your off-peak usage is considerably higher than your peak, you may be able to save by choosing this kind of tariff.
- Regular comparisons. Deals change and benefit periods are limited. If you review your energy options regularly, there's a good chance you might be able to access better deals than a plan you've been on for a while.
Key terms in ACT
Energy prices in the ACT are regulated by the government. However, some providers may still offer cheaper plans than others. In addition to price, there are several other factors you should consider when choosing an energy plan.
- Solar installation. While most providers in the ACT offer solar feed-in tariffs, not all providers offer solar panel installation. If you're looking to install a new solar system, it might be cheaper to sign up with a retailer who offers comprehensive solar services including installation.
- Discounts. Many providers offer discounts. These discounts can include bill reductions for paying your bills on time and bundling discounts if you sign up for electricity and gas with the same provider.
- Flexible payment options. Check to see how your provider lets you pay your bills. It might be possible to pay your bills in advance or in flexible instalments.
- Monitoring. Some providers let you monitor your energy bills and usage using a smartphone app.
- Fees. Some providers charge a fee for finishing a contract early or signing up for a new plan.
- Contract terms. Make sure to check your contract terms carefully. Some providers automatically roll over your contract when it expires, which can be convenient but may come with higher costs.
Switching
Your choice of retail provider can make a noticeable difference to the size of your energy bill. Once you've compared electricity and gas plans and chosen a new provider, it's relatively easy to switch. It's simply a matter of applying with the new provider and cancelling your existing plan. Your new provider should generally be able to supply your energy by the next day.
Picture: GettyImages
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Ask an Expert
I live in Duffy so do i have an option of electricity suppliers?
Hey Robert,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Regarding your options on electricity suppliers in your area, availability would vary depending on location.
You may fill out the form on this page on Energy Comparison for Australian Capital Territory to consult an energy broker.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Maria
Name of gas suppliers that service red hill act
Hi Tully!
Thanks for the comment.
Currently, we have ActewAGL as the sole option for ACT residents on our page.
You may complete the inquiry form and an energy consultant will get in touch with you.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers,
Jonathan