High usage

[Tes888]

We have received an electricity account double our normal usage for the quarter. We are creatures of habit. Two adults, who both work and are not at home during the day. 

I was pretty shocked but stayed calm and went and took a meter reading and got myself an estimation fir the next bill. Low and behold the next billing estimate was our normal amount, half the current account.

We have not changed anything. We are using our appliances the say way

we always have. So I rang on the 23rd Sept to request an investigation. After asking many questions, person I spoke to said they would request an investigation. 

A couple of days ago I start up and online conversation with AGL as I had not heard a thing from them. Turns out an investigation was not requested as was told the bill was high due to price increase and some old charges on the account. 

Next day I call AGL. They agree to do an investigation but say there us nothing wrong. When I point out that if we have not changed anything, then why is the current estimate for our next bill back to normal. I'm told that I must have stopped using Central heating. Nope, nothing has changed. 

I just know the reply is going to be that the bill is correct and that is just how it is.

No one can tell me why, if we have changed none of our appliances and have not changed any of our habbits, why this one bill is double yet the next bill is looking like our normal usual bill. Weird right. 

When the investigation comes back, I think it will be a change in energy providers for us. 

[Lester]

Was your current bill an actual or estimate ?

It should state this on your bill.

If you have a digital (smart) meter, it should be accurate, but they aren't infallible to errors and not sending data.

If you have an older analogue meter, you could have had a problem where the contractor meter reader may have had an issue with access to do the read, and then a retailer will estimate a bill . . . quite often well above normal.

If applicable, the estimated reading is shown on your bill also.

In this case, submitting a current read to AGL accounts dept can generate a new bill to reflect this, or if you pay / paid the higher amount, the error can be corrected next bill, as long as an actual read is taken for that, or you submit a read the day before the next cycle ends.

A meter read can be submitted for an analogue meter via the app or website account.

[Tes888]

It's an actual meter read. 🙂

[Lester]

..

 @Tes888 so still an analogue meter.

Did you read the meter and check numbers ?

Meter reading contractors rarely (but can) make mistakes.

Other than that, if numbers are seemingly correct, your bill might show where you used more power, or if rates have gone up significantly, or you might have finished a contract period for a plan type, and gone onto a default plan.

Do thorough research on various plans and tariffs if considering change, here in SA at least, there is very little difference between retailers pricing.

Those offering lower kwh rate are usually much more for daily supply charge, and vice versa.

Good luck with working through that.