What Answers You’ll Get On This Page
Whether you live in Canberra or one of the surrounding cities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), securing an excellent gas deal can effectively lower your utility bills. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of how to compare gas rates effectively. From understanding the key elements of your gas bill to breaking down how to proactively shop around for the best rates, we'll provide you with practical tips to help you make an informed decision.
- If your bill is higher than expected, consider switching to a new plan. With the market being so competitive, you may be able to secure a better rate and subsequently put more money back in your pocket.
- Bundling your gas, electricity, and other utilities can offer numerous benefits, including a single point of contact for all your questions and discounts when you bundle your gas with electricity or internet.
- Gas usage can increase in winter due to increased heating demand. If you received your first winter bill and realised it was higher than you expected, call us today.
- If you’re looking to get a better deal on your gas, call Electricity Monster. Our team will compare gas plans and providers, analyse your bill, and provide you with various solutions for your gas needs.
Cheapest Gas Plans ACT
In the table below, you’ll find a list of the cheapest gas plans and providers in ACT. To learn more or to compare more gas providers, call us today.
Retailer | Plan Name | Price/year (Est.) |
---|---|---|
Origin Energy | Origin Go Variable | $1,532 |
Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | $1,605 |
ActewAGL | Winter Saver | $1,708 |
Energy Australia | Flexi Plan | $1,854 |
CovaU Energy | CovaU Basics | $2,446 |
*Estimated Price is calculated based on usage of 38,541 MJ/year for a residential customer on a winter rate in the Jemena Gas Network. Click here to view associated energy fact sheets.
How to Compare and Switch Gas Providers in ACT
Comparing and switching plans isn’t as easy as choosing the first provider you see—doing so could result in missing out on a better rate.
Before you start comparing gas plans in ACT, you’ll want to understand your gas usage habits. Start by collecting your recent utility bills to analyse your usage patterns. This is also a good opportunity to identify the obligations of your contract, such as early termination fees, exit fees, no lock-in contracts, and contract end dates.
Consider your household’s needs. Are you a high gas user or a low one? Do you use more gas in winter or throughout the year? Understanding your usage habits can direct you to a plan that’s tailored to you.
Next, you’ll want to compare gas plans and providers. Some factors to consider while shopping around include:
Price Per Unit: Compare the price per megajoule (MJ) across different plans.
Daily Supply Charge: Examine the daily supply charge, which is a fixed cost for being connected to the gas network.
Discounts and Promotions: Look for any available gas discounts, such as introductory offers, direct debit discounts or bundle discounts.
Contract Terms: Review the length of the contract and if there are early termination fees.
Once you've decided on a prospective gas plan, initiating the switching process involves contacting your chosen provider, providing household details, signing contracts, and cancelling your current plan (if applicable).
If this sounds like too much work for you, let our team at Electricity Monster handle this process for you. We’ll perform a serviceability check on your property to determine what gas rates are available to you. We’ll compare plans within our partnered network and get you the best deal we have available. Whether you’re moving to a new property and aren’t sure whether you have a gas connection or are experiencing high bills and want to switch providers, we’ve got you covered. Have questions or need a gas connection fast? Need to compare electricity prices on top of gas? Our energy experts can help. Call us today.
Should I Bundle My Gas With Other Utilities?
Bundling your gas with other utilities like electricity or internet can offer a variety of benefits. However, it does come with its drawbacks as well. Let’s explore these pros and cons in more detail.
Convenience
Bundling your gas with other utilities offers the convenience of having a single point of contact. Whether you have a question about your current energy plan or billing questions, most providers will have a general support line you can call.
Bundling can also make it easier to manage your utilities. For example, you can use one portal to monitor your usage, pay bills, and manage your services. Some gas and energy providers will also let you set up one automatic payment for all your bundled services to avoid missing due dates.
The Pros of Bundling
Dealing with one gas and energy provider for multiple utilities can reduce the hassle of calling around if you have billing concerns or general enquiries. Additionally, many providers offer significant discounts to customers who bundle their gas and internet. For instance, big-name brands like Origin Energy provide a monthly discount when you bundle your gas or energy plan with your internet. If you're keen on renewable energy, you'll find that many providers will also offer a variety of environmentally friendly options that you can bundle as well.
The Cons of Bundling
There are some disadvantages that you should be aware of when bundling. For one, switching all your bundled services to a new gas or energy provider can be more complicated than switching a single service.
Bundling also involves signing a contract, which can make switching difficult if you find a better deal or aren’t satisfied with your current gas provider. More importantly, if you switch providers before your contract ends, you may face early termination fees, which vary based on the gas or energy provider.
How to Read Your Gas Bill
Your gas bill is packed with useful information that can help you understand why you’re paying the amount that’s being charged. More importantly, it can also play a significant role if you’re shopping for a new plan. By familiarising yourself with the key terms below, you can evaluate your current plan, identify potential savings, and make informed decisions when shopping around for a new gas plan.
Account Summary
On the top of your gas bill, you’ll typically see the following:
- Your household address and account number
- The type of gas plan you are on and the tariff type
- The amount due
- Pay on time discount date or due date
- Overdue charges
- Included GST
Usage and Charges
Your gas bill should include meter readings indicating how much gas you've consumed during the billing period. This information helps you track your usage over time and identify any sudden spikes or changes. Gas usage is typically measured in megajoules (MJ).
One of the most important figures of your bill is the usage charge, which reflects the cost of the gas you've used during the latest billing cycle. You can also check the rate per unit (MJ) and compare it to other plans to see how your current plan compares to other retailers' offers.
Your bill may include supply charges in addition to usage charges, which cover the cost of the gas supply to your residence. These charges can vary between electricity and gas providers, so it's important to consider them when you’re doing a side-by-side comparison.
Discounts and Offers
Many gas and electricity plans offer discounts for various reasons, such as paying on time, setting up direct debit, or bundling services. Take note of any additional discounts applied to your bill and consider how they may affect your total cost.
Fees
Be aware of any additional fees or charges listed on your bill, such as late payment fees, paper billing fees, or connection/disconnection fees – these can add up relatively quickly.
Billing Period and Due Date
The billing period will help you understand the timeframe for your usage and charges.
Pay close attention to the due date for your bill to avoid late payment fees. If you're considering switching gas and electricity providers, make sure that you have enough time to initiate the switch before your next bill is due.
Usage Trends and Comparisons
Both electricity and gas bills will typically include a section with usage trends or comparisons, which can help you visualise how your current usage is compared to previous periods. This information is helpful for identifying patterns and potential cost-saving opportunities.
Calculating your average monthly or quarterly usage can help you better understand how much gas you use in that time frame. This figure can serve as a benchmark when comparing plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Am Not Happy After Signing Up With A New Gas Supplier?
Just like an electricity plan, residential customers are entitled to a 10-day cooling-off period after signing up for a new plan. This means you can end your gas contract without incurring any penalties or fees. However, it’s important to check with your provider first.
How Do I Set Up A Natural Gas Connection If I’m Moving?
Organising a new natural gas connection to a house in Canberra or other surrounding cities in ACT is relatively easy. Provide our team with the address of the property you are moving into and the date you would like to be connected, and we’ll work to get your new connection sorted. In certain cases, we may need a form of ID to set up your energy account. Call us at 1300 232 848, and our energy experts will help you connect gas to your property.
What Are Usage Rates?
Usage rates are the rates you pay based on the amount of gas you consume, typically measured in megajoules. Usage rates can vary between natural gas providers and are influenced by factors such as location and seasonal demand. Some electricity providers may have different rates for peak and off-peak usage or incorporate block tariffs where the usage rate changes based on your consumption level.
What Gas Rebates and Concessions Are Available in ACT?
There are several rebates and concessions available for eligible ACT residential customers. Below are some of the most attractive discounts you can apply for:
- National Energy Bill Relief Payment
- The Utilities Concession
- Energy-Efficient Electric Water Heater Upgrade
Other Reads You Might Like
This publication reviews gas plans in ACT that are accurate as of 02/07/2024
Important Points to note are:
- The plans displayed have been taken from the energy fact sheets published on the retailer's website. We do not guarantee that this information is correct or that it applies to every household in Australia.
- Comparisons have been made on the peak rates in single rate plans from retailers, plus their daily electricity supply charges.
- The Citipower network has been used to compare electricity plans, and the Australian Gas network has been used to compare gas offers in Victoria.
- The Ausgrid network has been used to compare electricity plans, and the Jemena gas network has been used to compare gas offers in NSW.
- The SA Power Networks network has been used to compare electricity plans, and the Australian Gas network has been used to compare gas offers in Victoria.
- The Energex network has been used to compare electricity plans, and the Australian Gas network has been used to compare gas offers in QLD.
- The Evoenergy network has been used to compare electricity plans, and the Jemena gas network has been used to compare gas offers in the ACT.
- The ACTO network has been used to compare gas offers in WA.
- The reference price/VDO/GAS comparison will differ based on tariff type and location (distribution area). Your actual energy bill may be significantly different from these estimates if your usage differs from the average amounts used in this calculation.
- The information in this blog cannot substitute for legal advice. No financial decisions should be made based on information from this blog.
- All dollar figures include GST.
- The plans displayed may be different than those advertised.
- The plans offered on this page may not be available in our call center.
- 'Get Best Offer’ is indicative of the best offer available in our database from our partners
- ‘Get More Info’ does not mean we will sign you up for the plan listed. Electricity Monster will provide offers in our database. We do not claim to be affiliated with the retailer.
- When you click 'Sign Up Now' you agree to be contacted by our energy experts. Plans with said button are affiliated with our partnered retailers only.
- When calculating our rates we include in the price/year estimate the GST (unless otherwise stated), any advertised non-conditional discounts (e.g. guaranteed discount), and any one-off credits.
- What's not included in the price/year estimate are conditional discounts, green energy charges, any concessions or rebates which may apply to you, solar feed-in tariff credits that your solar system could generate.
- The VDO comparison will differ based on tariff type and location (distribution area). Your actual energy bill may be significantly different to these estimates if your usage differs from the average amounts used in this calculation.
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- Compare Providers
- 100% Free Service
- Brokered Over 150,000 Deals
Get a $50* Coles or Woolies Voucher
When You Call & Switch Today
- Compare Providers
- 100% Free Service
- Brokered Over 150,000 Deals
Get a $50* Coles or Woolies Voucher
When You Call & Switch Today
- Compare Providers
- 100% Free Service
- Brokered Over 150,000 Deals
Get a $50* Coles or Woolies Voucher
When You Call & Switch Today
- Compare Providers
- 100% Free Service
- Brokered Over 150,000 Deals