With boxes within boxes within columns, energy bills can seem daunting in their complexity but never fear for finder.com.au is here.
Learning how to read your energy bill is the first step towards:
- Identifying if you’re paying too much on your current plan
- Making sure your utilities are in shape and not costing more than you’re aware
- Helping to reduce your environmental footprint
The main components of your electricity bill
Front
Account summary
This information includes your address, name, plan and any statement numbers necessary for the retailer to identify you and your account. This information might need to be cited to your retailer if you speak with them on the phone.
Payment slip
This is likely the largest and clearest section of your bill. This is how much you owe your retailer, how to pay it, and the payment deadline.
Graphs for usage
This can tell you about your average electricity usage per month (in kilowatt hours (kWh)), how much your electricity cost for each month and how this compares to last year’s usage.
Comparison tables with households in your area
This data is often average-usage data retrieved from the Australian Energy Regulator.
Back
Electricity usage and service calculation
This information tells you the period for which you’ve been charged (the billing period), and when next payment is due. Since this information is key to your bill, it might also be found on the front of the bill.
Near these values might also be information regarding your current contract and set of tariffs. This information is key to learning more about the way you are charged for electricity.
Supply information
This includes information about your electricity provision including your address, your energy plan or contract, your electricity meter’s unique identification number (NMI=National Meter Identifier) that may need to be cited when speaking with your provider, and details about your energy usage at the beginning and end of the period etc.
Payment options
Since receiving payment is the bill's main purpose, options for how to pay including direct debit, mail, BPay, PayPal, cheque etc. may appear on both sides.
Other useful information
This section often provides contact details for further information, including how to change plans and what to do if you are going to move.
The main components of your gas bill
Front
Account summary
This information includes your address, name, plan, and any identifying numbers necessary for the retailer to identify you and your account. This information might need to be cited to your retailer if you speak with them on the phone.
Payment slip
This is likely the largest and clearest section of your bill. This is how much you owe your retailer, how to pay it, and when to pay it by.
Graphs for usage
This can tell you about your average gas usage per month (in megajoules (MJ)), how much your gas cost for each month and how this compares to last year’s usage.
Back
Gas usage and service calculation
This information tells you the period for which you’ve been charged (the billing period), and when the next period ends. Since this information is key to your bill, it might also be found on the front of the bill.
Near these values there may also be information regarding your current contract and set of tariffs. This information is key to learning more about the way you are charged for gas.
Supply information
This includes information about your electricity provision including your address, your Meter Identification Reference Number (MIRN) that might need to be cited when speaking with your provider, your energy plan or contract and details about your energy usage at the beginning and end of the period etc.
Payment options
Since payment is largely the purpose of the bill, it may appear on both sides with payment options including direct debit, mail, BPay, PayPal, cheque etc.
Other useful information
This section often provides contact details for further information, including how to change plans and what to do if you need to move.
Tariffs
About a quarter of your flat fees cover the cost of generating your energy. About half of your fees go towards the distribution grid that got the power to your home or business. The final quarter of your fees go towards government initiatives and to the retailers’ admin fees.
A sample electricity bill from AGL.com.au
Front and then back:
*Source: AGL
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