The Size of My bill

[andy1pom]

Hi

I have just received my bill for the month that I was away from my house ($100).  Compared to the same period last year the daily cost doubled whilst my electricity usage almost halved!  (effectively a 4 times increase in costs!). I do have solar panels installed.

I would love to know how I can reduce my usage any more as during this period I wasn't at home and the only things running were a fridge freezer and fishpond pump; with some LEDs on at night (security). Somebody did come in the house one Saturday and switch lights on etc.

I noted that 33% of my electricity bill for usage (not including daily charge and solar feed in) was for the "May demand" (4pm to 9pm con thing!)  These costs are getting silly - time to go off grid!

Yours

A very disgruntled customer.

PS Unable to load a screenshot of my bill so I have typed it below:

This period: Average daily usage 6.90kWh, average daily cost $3.23

Last year: Average daily usage 11.79kWh, average daily cost $1.59

Advice:  On average you are spending more per day on your energy than the bill period last year. Review your usage!

[SYED_AGL]

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out, and I'm really sorry to hear about your experience — I understand how concerning it can be to receive a high bill, especially when you're not home much.

While we don’t have access to your account details, based on the information you've shared, it sounds like your tariff might be on a Time of Use (TOU) plan. These plans can result in higher charges if most of your energy usage occurs during peak periods, even if usage is otherwise low.

Another possibility could be your hot water system. If it's an electric storage system (not an instant one) and wasn’t turned off before you went away, it may still have been operating. These systems automatically switch on to maintain the water temperature, even if no hot water is being used — which can lead to unexpected energy usage.

We’d recommend reviewing your usage patterns through your AGL app or online account. Try to avoid using major appliances during peak times where possible, as this can help bring your overall costs down.

If you’d like a more detailed review of your account, feel free to contact AGL directly so we can look into your specific usage and tariff options. Please let us know if you have any questions — we’re here to help

SYED 

[Caban]

Hi @andy1pom 

I too have considered going "off grid" but so far have not done that, as the hassles and expense of a back up generator is not viable.

Your data when you are away is handy as a baseline for your quiescent load. It also sounds like you have made some effort to reduce your usage already.

The items which are the highest loads are items that heat of cool, especially for long periods. This includes Hot Water, Air Con,  Fridges and Freezers (The last three work as heat pumps but still present a big load) Spending a bit more to have an efficient model fridge/freezer can save you money over the life of the product.

The other way to save some money is to shift your usage from the Peak/Shoulder times into the Off Peak hours. This is typically from 10pm to 7am on weekdays and all weekend. This is possible with timers and using items that have a high draw at those times, which can also be a PITA. The other way to do it is by installing a battery. If you cannot afford enough capacity to be almost self sufficient, at least get one which will supply your house from the afternoon until after 10pm. This should mean you will mainly be buying power at Off Peak times. Then you should also shop around for a plan which will suit you best.

Another small thing is that you can buy Solar Fish Pumps, assuming it is an outdoor pond.

Good luck.

If you do look at a battery system also shop around, as they do take a while to pay back the investment. A lot of the Lithium Ion units are only guaranteed  for 8-10 years and projected lifespan of 12 - 15 years. i went for one that has a 20 year warranty and a projected life of 50+ years.