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Unmasking the Energy Billing Scandal - How Errors and Overcharging Sabotage Your Profits!

October 17th, 2023Written by Debbie Meltzer

Shocking Stats: The Million-Dollar Misnomer Hidden in Your Energy Bills

Here we'll delve into how unsupervised charges and errors can lead to soaring energy costs, share some eye-opening figures, and explain how energy broking can be your saving grace, particularly in the manufacturing sector. We’ll also explore how solar power can be part of the solution to reduce costs and enhance sustainability.

The High Cost of Errors

Electricity bill overcharging and errors can lead to a surge in operational costs, and the extent of the impact might surprise you. Here are some statistics to drive the point home:

  • At least 10% of bills: A survey conducted by the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) found that billing errors can account for approximately 10% of a business's electricity bill. Imagine the savings potential there!

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Manufacturing sector hit hard by bill mismanagement

The manufacturing sector in Australia is particularly vulnerable to electricity bill errors. Errors can lead to significant cost overruns, impacting competitiveness and profitability.

Automated error detection and insights ensure you’re in control 24x7

To address ongoing electricity bill tariffs and errors, businesses can turn to energy broking and procurement experts. These experts specialise in energy management and analytics. At Choice Energy, for instance, we have an operations team with analysts assessing errors daily with the aid of analytical Shield Monitoring software and services. As a result they are well-equipped to identify errors, call out energy retailers, and compel them to take responsibility for amending them.

Here's how:

  • Expertise in Bill Validation: Equipped with the latest analytics tools procurement experts have the expertise to scrutinise your electricity bills and identify errors. From incorrect tariff charges to erroneous metre readings, they leave no stone unturned

  • Negotiation Power: With their industry knowledge and connections, energy brokers can negotiate on your behalf with energy retailers to correct errors and secure refunds for overcharges

  • Tailored Solutions: Energy brokers work closely with you to develop tailored procurement strategies that not only address errors but also optimise your energy costs

  • Ongoing Support: An energy broking company doesn't stop at resolving existing errors. They offer ongoing support to ensure that your bills remain accurate and cost-efficient.

Some customers have each saved tens of thousands in September alone from Choice Energy’s innovative tariff analytics and shield monitoring solution.

Harnessing Solar Power for Savings

While addressing billing errors is crucial, taking proactive measures to reduce energy consumption is equally important. Solar power is a game-changer in this regard:

Reduce Dependency on the Grid: Solar panels can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid, thereby lowering your electricity costs.

Feed-in Tariffs: In Australia, many states offer feed-in tariffs that allow businesses to sell excess solar-generated electricity back to the grid, providing additional income and reducing bills.

Sustainability and Cost Efficiency: Solar power not only lowers your bills but also contributes to your business's sustainability efforts, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.

Overcharged energy metering bills and errors represent a silent but substantial drain on commercial businesses.

With the potential to account for over 10% of your electricity bill, resolving these inflated charges and errors should be a top priority.

Energy broking companies, armed with their expertise, can help businesses navigate this complex landscape, resulting in substantial savings. And when combined with the adoption of solar power, your business can not only reduce costs but also contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

It's high time for the commercial sector to wake up to the potential savings that billing errors and inflated charges alone can offer and work with energy procurement experts to ensure accurate and efficient electricity billing.

Take back control of your energy

Speak to one of our Choice Energy Assessors for a free energy evaluation today!

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