Considering Changing Energy & Water Providers

Annual increases in utility prices including water, gas and electricity can lead to severe impacts on household budgets. Comparing a range of energy providers can mean savings hundreds of dollars per year on your utility bills. Unfortunately, most of us need these essential utilities as part of our every day lives so it's only fair that we pay the best possible price for these services.

When choosing your energy and utility providers, it's important to consider the following:

Are there any discounts if I sign up for a contract period?

Will the new utility rates be cheaper than the old rates?

What are the standard service charges in comparison to my current provider?

Is it worth signing a locked in contract with my current provider?

The most important thing to do when looking to change energy providers is to consider the price. While service can feel just as important sometimes, 9 out of 10 energy providers will use the same gas or water pipelines and connections when providing the service.

When comparing prices between different energy providers, it is important to consider the various rates included in the fees. Some energy providers will base their charges on a flat usage rate while other providers will have a 'peak' and 'off-peak' rate for water, gas and electricity.

It is also important to compare the various service fees. For example, most energy providers will charge a service fee to have an active connection to your household. In some cases, this can be the deciding factor between various energy companies with some charging significantly higher rates than others. This is generally due to their rental fees since they have to rent the pipelines from a larger provider.

Energy providers will not always offer the best discounts for signing a locked in contract. For example, when comparing energy providers you will notice that some providers will entice customers by offering a discount of 10% or 15% for signing a locked in contractual agreement.

Before signing the dotted line, be sure to compare the prices between various providers. Some energy companies will charge higher rates and offer larger discounts while others will offer cheap rates and minimum discounts without having any lock in contract periods.

Various energy comparison websites exist to assist consumers in getting the best price and deal with their energy provider. See below for a short list of energy comparison websites:

www.switchwise.com.au

www.myenergyoffers.nsw.gov.au

www.energywatch.com.au

www.theenergyshop.com

www.ukpower.co.uk