Australia has so many electricity providers to choose from – and it can sometimes be challenging to choose the right plan for you.
However, there are some essential factors to consider when you compare electricity providers.
To help you make your decision, we’ve compiled a list of key elements that you should consider before signing on with a new provider.
1) The price of your bills
This is always important – especially if you have ever struggled to pay your bills before. A great way to save on your energy bills is to compare electricity rates at Econnex.
This will show you which electricity plans can give you the cheapest deal.
And best of all, it’s 100% free.
Find out how much you will be paying per kWh, so you know what to expect.
2) The customer support available to you
Does the company have a good consumer support team? This may be over the phone, via a chatbot, messaging, email, or even face-to-face (if your provider offers this).
This is important, especially when you have a problem with your bill or service.
That way you can speak to someone and work through the issue with them.
Quickly getting things resolved will also minimize any energy usage and mean that you don’t get an expensive energy bill!
3) The company’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
This refers to how ethically the company operates. This may be in terms of reducing emissions or improving the environment.
Some companies even donate part of their profits to charity – so you can do some good just by paying for your electricity!
4) How much energy they produce
It is better to consider how much energy your supplier produces. If they use renewable energy, then this is better for the environment.
However, even if they don’t, you should still consider them – as some will offset their carbon emission by donating part of their profits to green projects.
5) The length of contract and its terms and conditions
This refers to how long you’ll be tied into a contract. Some suppliers offer flexible contracts, while others force you to commit for an extended period.
Generally, longer isn’t necessarily better. If you could switch to another provider in the next few years, then it may be worth paying for your electricity month-to-month so you can get out of the contract if you need to.
6) The company’s experience in the market
A company’s history in the energy industry indicates how long they’ve been around. It doesn’t tell you about their services but means that they are not new to this market and therefore should be made up of seasoned professionals.
New companies may struggle to provide good customer service, so try sticking with reliable companies with several years of experience.
7) The discount options
Some electricity suppliers offer lots of ways to get discounts on your energy bill – whether that be through amazing deals or special offers.
However, you must ensure that these are worth it. For example, if they save you money but only over a short period, you might be better off with another provider.
8) The company’s complaints record
This refers to how many complaints the company receives each year.
Some companies are more popular than others, so there could be an issue if they have too many complaints.
However, don’t just take this negatively as good companies who receive many complaints may have more customers as they are so popular!
Read customer reviews before signing up with them to ensure they have good customer service and won’t charge too much for late payments or other penalties.
9) The types of tariffs available to you
The electricity provider’s number and type of tariffs matter too. It would be discouraging to continue receiving huge bills unexpectedly, which means it’s essential to consider the difference between ‘standard tariff,’ ‘variable tariff,’ and ‘fixed tariff.’
10) The price of electricity
Finally, consider the cost of your energy. You can confirm this at a comparison site, which will tell you the average electricity price in your area over a year.
You can use this as a starting guide when you look for your new provider.
Just remember – cheaper doesn’t always mean better!
Conclusion
Deciding on a new electricity provider for your home can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t need to be. Everything becomes much more straightforward when you know what factors are the most important to consider as you compare electricity providers.
These ten points should help get you started on your way to finding a great company that will provide a reliable service and competitive rates in the future.
