Suspect issue with my electricity meter

vivekt
Switched-on
1 Reply 786 Views

Hi,

I am being getting huge bills on electricity for last 3 Qauters. I thought the issue is with energry provider rates and hence I moved to AGL. Even with AGL estimates it looks like I will be hitting the same bill as before. I am very consciously using all my appliances during non-peak hours but still usage looks like. Can the meter be inspected for any fault.

5 REPLIES 5
Lester
Powerhouse
1 Reply 772 Views

Electricity meters are extremely reliable, but do rarely get issues.

Maybe to start, just a few things I advise you check . . .

 

Is your meter an older analogue meter, that needs to be read, or a smart meter ?

If analogue needing reading, are these last 3 bills actual reading bills, or estimated reads ?
With AGL and your old retailer.

I have seen this before at my workshop, which is behind a locked gate most of the time, I had many estimated bills that ALWAYS seem to be way overestimated (I once received a $25,000 bill when my quarterly usage was generally around $300 !).

Since that, I would phone through my readings near end of quarters, and in more recent times regularly send through a meter read via the app, especially near end of each quarter.

 

Has your usage seemingly gone up, or plan type or tariffs changed drastically on the last 3 bills, compared to the last lower bills ?

Likely your last retailer bills will show similar if you have them or can access them.
(It might be a steep price rise from a previous year's July 1st price increases.)

Yes, your last retailer will be different daily supply and / or tariffs most likely, but you should be able to get a comparison of last usage figures / tariffs with them and see if vastly different to AGL (this should have been checked before switching though).

 

If usage has increased significantly, check all appliances have not developed a problem, your bill should show any fixed CL items like a HWS, watch usage if using fixed air conds or elec heaters, or use a $20 power point meter to check fridge, freezer, other plug in devices.

 

I find little difference between most retail suppliers, some charge more for daily supply charge, and a little less tariffs, and others vice versa, sometimes this can make a difference to some types of home usage, but most times it evens out to about the same.

 

Power prices have risen so sharply in the past few years, often 10% every year, mostly though it is applied from each July 1st when new energy charges are applied by power providers that the AEMC provides (just announced for 2026/2027 in the past few weeks).
Again this year (with very few exceptions), this July will see most consumers in Australia paying about 10% - 11% more.

 

If all that fails to explain the increases, you can request a meter check, but it will most likely be ok.

You usually pay a fee for the meter company to come out, which if faulty is generally reimbursed. 

 

Good luck with it.

kishorepradhan
Switched-on
1 Reply 332 Views

My usage has suddenly increase 3 fold  for no reason. There is no change in the usage

Similar situation had risen in the past there was  fault in the line    So the meter and the line should be checked again Asap

thanks 

ChrisE_AGL
AGL Employee
1 Reply 308 Views

Hi @kishorepradhan 

I'm sorry to hear that you have had an unexpected increase with your energy.  I'm going to send you a Private Message to get some further information on your account to look into this further for you.

Thank you, Chris

kishorepradhan
Switched-on
1 Reply 301 Views
My usual bill is around $300.00 this time without any definite reason it has shot upto around $1100 can not understand why !
What are my options?

Kishore Pradhan
Five dock
Australia 2046
Lester
Powerhouse
0 Replies 298 Views

@kishorepradhan easy to figure out.

 

Firstly, check the bill, is it an estimate or actual reading (if old meter type).

If estimated, they are usually WAY more than they should be for some reason, so check the figures on the bill compared to the meter.

You can call up and have the bill adjusted if it's that much more by AGLs mistaken estimate.

 

If actual, you have a problem.

Grab the last bill, and maybe the bill from last same period / season.

Compare everything starting with plan type, has that changed ?
Then from the first line and right through the bill, you should easily see where the amounts are that much more.

Look particularly at the various usage and tariff charges.

 

I would then call AGL and have that info on hand to ask them about the significantly higher bill.