There are several possible reasons why your electricity bill or gas bills may appear to be higher than expected. The most common of these are:
Seasonality
The most common reason for increased consumption is usually the season. The easiest way to check is to look at the usage graph on your bill and compare the current usage to the usage for the same period last year.
Note: make an adjustment for seasonal temperatures perhaps being different in the past year (eg. a cool or hot summer).
Consumption Increase
If your consumption is greater than the same period last year, then your bill will be higher. There are many reasons why your consumption may have increased.
- New appliance - have you bought a new appliance during the billing period? Appliances such as hot water systems, air conditioners and heaters are large consumers of energy
- New household member - were there more people living in your home during the billing period? An extra person in the home can add considerably to your energy consumption
- Faulty appliances - a faulty appliance may consume more energy than it should. If you suspect an appliance may be faulty, call AGL Assist on 131 766.
Rate Increase
If your usage was the same as the previous year but your bill is still greater, it may be that there has been a rate increase.
Estimated Bill
In some cases we are unable to obtain an exact meter reading at your premises. Usually this is because we couldn't get access to your meter. In this circumstance, AGL will have estimated your bill based upon your previous usage. This may result in a discrepancy on either the estimated bill or the subsequent bill with a real reading, or perhaps even both bills.
Some reasons why your meter could not be read and you received an estimated bill are as follows:
- Meter indoors - the meter is inside your house and there was nobody home when the meter reader tried to access the meter
- Locked gate - the meter is behind a locked gate and there was nobody home when the meter reader tried to access the meter
- Blocked access - there may have been an obstruction preventing the reader from getting to the meter (eg. garden waste). It is a requirement by law that clear access is available to the meters on your premises
- Dog - the meter is guarded by a fierce dog or other animal.
An actual meter reading should be performed for the next billing cycle. At that time the two bills (the estimated one and the subsequent actual bill) will be reconciled to ensure that you pay for no more than the energy you have actually consumed over the two billing periods.
To arrange access to your meter for the next scheduled meter read, please call us on 131 245. If an estimated read results in a high bill which places you under financial strain, please call us and we will happily discuss options with you to avoid any undue hardship.
Billing Period Change
Generally for households a billing period will be 90 days or 3 months (Victorian residential gas customers receive their bills every 2 months).
Due to various reasons, the period covered by your bill may have changed. This could be because you have just changed retailers, perhaps as a result of moving house. Usually in this instance it is only the first bill that covers an extended period. If the billing period is extended, then your bill will be higher. Conversely, if the billing period is shortened, then the bill amount will be lower.
The number of "bill days" is printed on your bill.
Payment Processing Fee
Payment Processing Fee is a fee charged to customers who choose to pay their AGL Energy bill using a credit card or other credit payment facility. AGL is charged a merchant service fee by financial institutions when customers pay using a credit card or credit payment facility and this fee is passed on. The fee is 1% (GST inclusive) and is charged on the total amount of the energy bill.
If you would like to make a bill enquiry please call 131 245 of fill out our online enquiry form.
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