
Understanding your energy bill is important not only to find the best deal but also to ensure that you are not being charged for something that you don’t actually use. There are a lot of charges you can see on your bill some of which are avoidable. Below are the Electricity fees and charges you might come across, check the details with the energy retailer before signing up.
Connection Fee
The connection fee is the standard move-in fee. This is applied when one moves into a new property that needs to be reconnected to the grid. The average connection price ranges between $10-$50, however other costs as much as $90.
Disconnection Fee
The disconnection fee is charged when one needs to move out or needs to be disconnected from the grid. The charge ranges from $10- $200. No costs if you’re in a rental property, it’s usually the landlord or the real estate that takes over the property.
Dishonor Fee
If one agrees to pay bills via direct debit, ensure to have adequate funds on or before the payment date. If the fund is insufficient, there’s a charge of $10 to $20 dishonor fee.
Cheque Dishonor Fee
This is similar to dishonor fee but this time payment is via cheque. A bounced cheque will be charged around $15 cheque dishonor fee.
Late Payment Fee
Every energy bill includes a ‘due date’, the date which bill must be paid by. Failure to pay by this date means $10 to $50 late payment fee charge. For some customers, they might lose the pay on time discount deal with their retailer.
Account Establishment Fee
Some retailers charge new customers for setting up a new account. Check the rates with the power retailers.
Exit Fee
Some retailers that offer market contracts charge an ‘exit fee’. This applies if the contract is to be canceled anytime within the first one or two years. This is one thing that you need to look into before signing up an electricity contract for you to avoid additional expenses.
Debit Card/Credit Card Payment Fee
Paying bills via credit card or debit card is very common which charges a fee between 1-3% of the total amount being paid. This cost is quite high for those customers who often receive high bills.
Paper Bill Fee
Retailers are now moving online for convenience. No charge for email bill but for a paper bill, an extra fee of around $2 will be charged.
Payment Processing Fee
Some retailers charge fees for processing payments, usually around 0.2% to $ 1% of the total amount you’re paying.
How to avoid electricity fees?
Here are a few tips to avoid these charges:
- Receive bills via email
- Pay your bills on time and in full
- Ensure sufficient funds on your account prior to the payment date
Some fees such as debit/credit card payment processing, connection, and disconnection fees are hard to avoid, but try to negotiate with your provider they might adjust or waive the fees.
Know more about Tariff and Fees
Rates, fees or charges vary across different energy retailers. If you think your current provider charges too much on added fees, shop around. Econnex can help you find cheaper energy deals.
Compare Energy Plans Here – Free!
Categories
- ACT (135)
- Bills and how to read them (8)
- Concession (16)
- Econnex (28)
- Electrical Safety Tips (8)
- Energy and the Government (2)
- Energy Discounts (25)
- Energy Distributors (12)
- Energy Saving Tips (20)
- General Energy Info (151)
- Home Appliances (12)
- NSW (135)
- QLD (136)
- SA (135)
- Solar Panels (1)
- Uncategorized (4)
- VIC (132)
9 Comments. Leave new
[…] electricity bills are far from straightforward; there’s a lot of jargon to get a handle on. Here’s a basic […]
[…] and concession cardholders may be eligible for an Electricity Rebate. Customers with a qualifying medical condition who need heating or cooling may be eligible […]
[…] one provider for longer time gives higher bills. Rates are continuously increasing, especially with electricity. It’s important to regularly check the market. Shop around and look for the most competitive […]
[…] traditional electricity meters only measure electricity that flows one away, from the grid to the house. On the other hand, the solar meters measures in […]
[…] to other household activities as the cost of cooking accounts for about 4% of the average gas and electricity […]
[…] renting a house with solar panels, you will receive the FIT for the electricity the house exports to the grid. If you live in an apartment or townhouse, you need an electricity […]
[…] day it will also require a battery inverter. A battery inverter converts DC electricity into AC electricity to discharge the battery, and AC energy into DC energy to charge it again. Remember, not all […]
[…] electricity grid is a connected network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers. It consists of transmission and distribution networks. These networks […]
[…] excessive amount of power upon a circuit can result in power failures, wide variations in available electricity, and even fire hazards as overworked circuits exceed safe operating […]