Turn Up The Heat

Compare the best deals to see how you could save up to $594 on an annual power bill

Gone are the days when a decent set of thermal underwear was your best bet to save on winter power bills. These days it’s all about hunting down a better deal, and switching to a different energy provider or plan can knock hundreds of dollars off your annual electricity bill.

It’s no secret that power bills have skyrocketed. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) found energy prices rose a whopping 22% in 2017-18. With winter being a peak period for electricity consumption, now is the time to flex your consumer power.

Know what’s available

If you live in NSW, South-East Queensland, Victoria or SA, you’re free to shop around among power providers. The trouble is, plenty of people don’t, and it can be an expensive mistake. (In the Northern Territory and the ACT, prices are regulated; WA has several energy networks with contestable and non-contestable customers; and Tasmania has two retailers with capped prices.)If you have never actively chosen your electricity plan, or if you’ve been with the same provider or lived at the same address for several years, it’s likely you’re on a default plan known as a “standing offer”. These plans do have some positives. You’ll pay no exit fees, and providers face limitations around hiking tariffs.