Electricity and gas bills

Reasons for higher bills

There are many reasons why your energy bill may be higher than expected. Seasonal changes, an increase in the number of people living in the home or a new appliance can all affect energy bills.

Assess your energy usage

You can assess your energy usage by checking against estimates of electricity and gas running costs, completing the Energy Saving Calculator on the Save Energy website (see link at bottom of page) or by arranging for an energy assessor to audit your home (see the article about getting an energy rating for your home: link at the bottom of page).

Estimated bills

It may be that the bill was an estimate or it followed an estimated bill. The word 'estimated' or the letter 'e' beside the consumption shown on your bill means that the bill was an estimate based on previous consumption.

Electricity and gas meters are generally reliable and faults are uncommon.

Disputing bills

If after investigating your energy use over the period you feel that the bill is wrong, contact your energy retailer.

If you are dissatisfied with your retailer's response, contact the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (see link below).