A couple in winter

WINTER HUB.

Most of us will notice our electricity bills are higher as we spend more time indoors, use more energy to heat our homes and keep ourselves entertained. Make your home more energy efficient with our energy-saving tips and guides to help you understand your charges. 

HOW TO SAVE POWER (AND MONEY)

To see how your winter usage compares, a good trick is to check your usage at this time last year. View more energy-saving tips.

clean your heat pump filter regularly
A clean filter ensures your appliances run efficiently, keeping you warm without wasting energy. Dust and grime build-up can cause your heating system to work harder than necessary, driving up your power bills.
CLOSE INTERNAL DOORS to rooms you’re not using
Contain heat in the areas you spend the most time in. It can also make a big difference in maintaining a comfortable temperature without over-relying on your heating system.
turn off lights and heaters BEHIND YOU
It’s easy to forget to turn off lights and heaters when you’re leaving a room, especially when you’re spending more time indoors. Make it a habit to switch off lights and heaters in rooms you’re not using.
CONSIDER MAKING THE SWITCH TO LED BULBS
When you need to replace a light bulb, consider energy-efficient LED bulbs. These use up to 85% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, which means fewer replacements and less waste.
USE A SLOWCOOKER TO MAKE A HEARTY Meal
There’s nothing better than coming home to a hot, ready-to-eat meal after a long, cold day. A slow cooker (or crockpot) is the perfect energy-efficient way. They use significantly less energy than an oven or stovetop and can be left unattended safely.
DRAW CURTAINS OR BLINDS BEFORE SUNSET
Drawing before sunset prevents the cold night air from seeping in and helps to contain the natural daytime heat from within your home.
Get the most out of your washing machine
Making small changes to how you use your washing machine can mean savings. Try and wash full loads only and in cold water when you can, helping you to reduce energy and water use while cutting costs.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR SHOWER TIME
In winter, we tend to have longer showers to warm up while cranking the temperature. Aim to keep your showers to less than 4 minutes when you can. Hot water can account for over 20% of bills.

COST GUIDE FOR RUNNING APPLIANCES

Check our 2024 guide to help you understand the cost of running different household appliances.
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UNDERSTANDING BILL CHARGES

Most of us will see higher electricity bills in winter because we use more energy. On your bill, you can see how charges are calculated. These are based on prices, usage, and the number of days in the billing period. Follow the number key to learn more. 


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Your electricity section
1. Billing Period Have you checked the number of days in your billing period? This may vary due to factors, like public holidays that affect when bills are issued. A few days more or less could make the total amount due higher or lower than previous months. You can find the number of days in your billing period next to your Daily Fixed Charge.
2. Variable Charge The actual electricity you’ve used. This is calculated by multiplying each unit you’ve used (kWh) by your variable price. Variable charges depend on the type of meter tariff/s you have at your property e.g. Anytime or Controlled. Find out more about the types of electricity meter tariffs.
3. Daily Fixed Charge A fixed amount each day, no matter how much electricity you use. This is calculated by multiplying your daily price (cents) by the number of days in your billing period.
4. Actual or Estimated Meter Reading If you don’t have a smart meter, your meter will need to be read manually by a meter reader. Your latest bill could be higher than expected if it is an actual reading and you previously received an under-estimated bill. If a meter reading isn’t taken, you can provide us with a reading.

Your bill might be higher for other reasons
Lifestyle Change A new baby, additional people in your home, new appliances (such as a plasma TV or additional heater), or someone working from home.
Price Change If you’ve recently had a price change, you may see two lines for the same Charge Type. This is because your price change was effective within this period. You’ll see a line at your old price, and one at your new price. You’ll have received an email or letter notifying you of the date.

BILLING HELP AND SUPPORT

For more billing and payment information, check out our FAQs and guides. Or chat with us online in the bottom right corner of your screen. 
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MY ACCOUNT

Managing your account and services is easy with My Account. Use the Mercury App or log in via our website to start tracking your usage by hour, by day, or by billed month.
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TRACK YOUR USAGE

On top of receiving our weekly usage emails, you can use My Account to track your usage. This is great to see when your usage is increasing the most, at a time that suits you. Check out our short video to get started. Learn more about My Account via the Mercury App or our website.
Play Video
Video Length: 2m 28s
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UNLOCK A FREE POWER DAY

There’s different ways to earn and spend points when you sign up for rewards. Winter is the perfect time to book a Free Power Day, or unlock a credit on your bill. Snuggle up with your heater, binge on movies, or tackle those chores.
GET REWARDED

BE PREPARED FOR AN OUTAGE

Storms and weather warnings can happen any time of the year. It’s up to you to make sure your household and the people you care about know what to do. If the power was to go out, make sure you have a plan.
OUTAGES AND FAULTS