Higher bill than usual
If you've received an energy bill that's higher than usual, it could be due to a number of different reasons. We'll help you understand why so you can avoid it happening again.
It's possible that the higher bill you received is due to an estimated bill. There are a few reasons why we might need to estimate your energy usage:
- The distributor had trouble accessing your meter. This could be due to your meter being indoors, behind a locked gate, or guarded by a dog.
- If you have a basic meter and monthly billing, we’ll need to estimate your usage as your distributor may only read it every two or three months.
Learn more about Estimated bills
Submit your own meter read
If you have a basic meter, you can avoid an estimated bill by providing your own meter read two days before your next bill. You can also submit your own reading online to correct an estimated bill. To see what type of meter you have, visit Read your meter.
Hot summers and cold winters can be contributing factors to a high bill. Cooling and heating appliances used to cope with changes in weather can increase your energy usage.
- Check to see if you’re using more energy than usual by comparing your bill with your previous summer or winter usage. You can check previous bills using My Account or the AGL app.
- Take advantage of natural heating and cooling opportunities. For more information, check out our Home energy saving tips.
If your bill is higher this month it could be down to the billing period being longer. Your energy bill will rarely cover the exact number of days per billing period. You can check the supply period on page 2 of your bill under 'Your electricity supply details'.
Your bill may be higher than expected due to a balance that's been carried forward from your previous bill. This will appear on your bill on the top of page 2 under the 'Supply charge' section.
There are many factors that affect the cost of getting electricity and gas to you. If there has been a price increase on your bill, we'll always let you know ahead of time. Price changes or increases are indicated on your bill on the front page, on the bottom right corner.
A feed-in tariff is the rate paid for any electricity your solar system feeds into the grid. These rates can change from time to time and may be the reason your bill looks different this period. If your solar rates change, we will notify you no later than your next bill after the change. You can find the rate you're receiving for your solar credit on page 2 of your bill under ‘Credits’ and 'Feed-in Tariff'.
If you've recently bought new appliances, they may be consuming more power than you realise - particularly if the appliance uses stand-by power.
Replacing an appliance can also cause your bill to go up. Typically, newer appliances are more energy efficient than older ones, but that's not always the case. Compare the running costs of appliances using the Energy Rating Calculator.
Energy Insights can help you understand where you're using the most electricity. If you have a smart meter and you’ve set up your Home Profile through My Account, you'll get greater visibility with estimates of your home’s electricity usage by appliance category.
Whether you've recently started working from home, the kids are on school holidays or you've got friends or family visiting, spending more time at home may be the cause of a higher bill.
Have your living arrangements recently changed which may have had an impact on your energy usage? Your new home might be larger, your tariff or pricing may be different or a new house mate may have moved in. For practical ways to reduce your energy bills check our Energy efficiency guide.
Manage your bill
For up-to-date information on your energy usage and charges use My Account or the AGL app. If you have a digital meter, you can track your electricity usage and costs to date. Drill into weekly and daily views to compare energy usage across different periods.
You may qualify to receive energy concessions, rebates or grants on your account. Concessions can be found on page 2 of your bill, under 'New charges and credits'.
We're here to support you in a number of ways. From payment extensions to bill smoothing or financial hardship assistance, learn more about our Financial support and customer assistance options.