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Energy Insight
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| Choosing an energy retailer can be challenging. Things like financially assessing offers and counter-offers, assessing financial and non-financial benefits and understanding the fine print in contracts all require a degree of knowledge, concentration and your precious time. While it may seem easier to just accept the offer that appears cheapest or do nothing because it requires no time, it is worthwhile considering the following questions about your energy requirements.
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Are you on a ‘bundled' tariff?
Many tariffs which are now obsolete contain a number of separate billing elements which are ‘bundled' into the price. For example, a bundled electricity tariff may contain a fee for access to the electricity network.
If you sign a contract, the network access fee is required by law to be listed as a separate item on your bill as a flat rate per day, instead of part of the price per kilowatt hour (kWh).
How do the network access fees compare between retailers?
These are supposed to be passed through at cost, but if you are on a ‘bundled' tariff you may be better off staying where you are.
Have you been offered a guarantee that the price of your energy will not increase for a certain period of time?
Be aware that this normally does not include regulated price components such as the network access fee, which is subject to increases as approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Are you satisfied with the quality of your energy supply?
This will not change if you enter into a retail contract for the supply of energy because the network which supplies your energy will not change. Your retailer can only negotiate the cost of the energy you consume.
Do you currently receive great service, information and advice from your energy retailer?
Be aware that choosing the cheapest price may also erode the free services which you may currently take for granted.
In the competitive energy market, there is a product to suit the needs of every business. Answering these questions should help identify these needs. If you have answered all the questions and are still not sure what is best for your business, your energy retailer should be able to help.
Country Energy can help
All Country Energy customers have access to great service, information and advice. Just call 13 23 56 for more information regarding choosing an energy retailer.
Country Energy specialises in providing comparative pricing for customers seeking a competitive energy quote. To obtain a competitive quote for your electricity or natural gas call 1300 363 955 .
RAMY SOUSSOU is General Manager, Retail Sales at Country Energy.
ARCHIVE: Energy Insight April 2006
Disclaimer: This article is supplied by Country Energy. Country Energy is a leading Australian energy services corporation owned by the New South Wales Government. Serving more than 780,000 customers in five states and territories, Country Energy offers gas, electricity, internet and energy efficiency solutions through its dedicated energy answers business unit. To find out how you can save on your energy costs, contact energy answers on 02 4927 7100 or email energyanswers@countryenergy.com.au
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