The experts at financial comparison site Mozo explore how a straightforward bill can help you understand exactly what you’re paying for – and may even help you cut your energy costs.

An electric or gas bill may not be an enthralling read, but it can be an important one. A clear, well-laid-out bill gives you an overview of how much energy you’re using, when usage peaks and troughs hit, and how your household energy consumption compares to your neighbours. Clear billing makes this information easy to find and understand, helping you take control of your energy usage and your budget.

That’s why the data experts at financial comparison site Mozo include an award for energy companies with the clearest billing in the Mozo People’s Choice Awards.

Simply Energy wins 2021 Clearest Billing award

The Mozo People’s Choice Awards are based on feedback from real customers across a range of financial and household services. In 2021, Mozo surveyed almost 4,000 Australians about their experiences with these companies to gauge how highly they rate their providers in specific areas. 

ENGIE's local retail arm - previously known as Simply Energy was one of just three energy providers to win an award for Clearest Billing. The energy retailer recently undertook an extensive bill refresh based on customer feedback and, as the award shows, the changes have made an immediate impact. 

Mozo Expert Judge Peter Marshall said Simply Energy’s billing stood out for its clarity and transparency on costs and credits.

“Energy bills can cause a great deal of confusion, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how costs are calculated and the technical terms being used,” said Marshall. 

“Customer responses have revealed that Simply Energy’s bills are easy to read and consumer-friendly, which is why they’ve taken home a Mozo People’s Choice Award for Clearest Billing.” 

Marshall also noted Simply Energy’s dedication to customer support, pointing out the useful online help centre and instructions on how to read your bill.

How can understanding your energy bill help you reduce power costs?

Understanding your power bills is a skill that could help you save energy costs and reduce your environmental footprint. Here are 3 simple ways taking time to read and understand your bill could help you save: 

1. See what you’re spending the most on
   Simply Energy bills break down energy costs clearly so you can see exactly how the final figure has been calculated and track where costs are coming from. With this knowledge, you can reduce your gas or electricity consumption if you see an increase, or see if it’s related to changes in supply charges. 
2. Investigate usage spikes
   Consumption profiles tell you at a glance how much energy you’re using compared to previous months and give you a better understanding of what times of the year your usage spikes. This can help you monitor and manage future use, potentially cutting down over heavier usage periods to reduce costs. Simply Energy’s bills also use your data to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas you’re producing through your energy use, so if minimising your carbon footprint is top of mind, this is a handy reminder. 
3. Compare with the neighbours
   Understanding how much energy you’re using compared to other similar households in your area is simple with the quick-glance electricity usage benchmarks section on your bill. These benchmarks are a great way to monitor how much energy you’re using (and how much you’re spending). Just remember, this is one area where you don’t want to keep up with Joneses.

With Simply Energy’s easy-to-read bills, potential energy savings could be simpler than you think. Learn more about how to read your bill here.  

Author

Olivia Gee is a journalist and Awards Editor at Mozo – a financial comparison site that provides practical money tips and expert analysis to help Aussies find top deals on everyday purchases.