Power Up: This Company Is Here to Help You Switch Energy Providers

Want to change power companies, but even the thought of swapping drains your battery? The thing is, switching to a better provider can not only save you money (and help ease the cost of living) – it can also be an ‘easy’ win when it comes to living more sustainably, specifically if you’re choosing a better (greener) energy provider, or switching to solar.

So why don’t we do it? Well, there’s this concept called ‘loyalty tax’, where we tend to stick with companies (like banks, insurers, internet providers) because it’s more ‘convenient’ – even when fees rise and they indirectly punish us by offering newcomers better deals, but keep us on the same old contracts. The perceived hassle and phone time of finding and then changing to better providers just puts it all in the ‘too hard’ basket. 

Enter GoSwitch: experts of doing all the annoying stuff for you – including researching all the ins and outs of choosing solar power or changing to green energy. We had a chat with the GoSwitch team to find out more.

Life is frequently chaotic and often challenging. How does GoSwitch plan to make our lives easier?

Australia’s energy market is a complex system that can be tricky to navigate. Our price comparison tool makes things easier by comparing a wide range of gas and electricity suppliers, looking at things like pricing, customer service, contract terms, greener energy options, and any extra customer benefits to suit your needs and budget.

Can you give us some tips on how to choose the right energy plan?

Tip one: take some time to research and compare different providers – knowledge is power! 

Tip two: remember that the cheapest option may not always be the best fit for your needs.

Tip three: Talk to our experts at GoSwitch – they know the ins & outs of energy so you save yourself time and energy!

Generally, you should focus on these factors:

• Price – compare rates, including any discounts or special offers. Don’t forget to factor in additional charges like daily supply fees.
• Contract Terms – what’s the contract length? Are there any exit fees? Are the rates fixed or variable?
• Customer Service – does the provider have a good customer service reputation, or not? Check reviews and ratings about how responsive and helpful they are.
• Plan Features – you’ll have specific energy usage patterns, so choose a plan that works with your needs. Some providers offer flexible options like time-of-use tariffs or gas plans bundled with electricity.
• Green Energy Options – check for sustainable providers who offer renewable energy sources or carbon offset programs.

Sustainability is pretty important to us, and we’ve been considering a switch to solar power. But where do we begin?

Solar power can make your home more energy efficient and is a cost-effective long-term strategy. There are a number of Clean Energy solar retailers in Australia, and new solar technologies such as Q cell and bifacial panels have dramatically improved product durability and solar power output potential. There are also several incentives, like government rebates and competitive feed-in tariffs from electricity retailers to make solar more appealing. But prices can vary significantly between companies and installers, so you’ll likely need several quotes to find the best setup for your home. GoSwitch can help you choose the right solar system to suit your needs, based on the cost, quality and suitability of products available from different solar installers. Our solar energy experts have lots of nifty energy-saving ideas, too – all for free!

What kind of things do we need to check before purchasing solar panels?

These are the things on our must-check list:

• Is the property in your name? Do you have your landlord’s permission to install solar?
• Does the roof of your home have access to sunlight, or is it shaded by trees?
• Is the roof space large enough? (It usually needs a 15 square metre minimum.)
• Is your roof built strong enough to support the weight of solar panels?
• Does your home face the right direction? North-facing panels are best for full solar energy capacity.
• Are there any local government by-laws stopping you from a solar panel installation?
• Last, but not least: have you received multiple quotes from reputable retailers?

There are loads of solar panel suppliers in the industry – GoSwitch’s price comparison search of the best solar panel brands will make choosing easier – check out our solar power resources here.

Ok, sign us up! What’s the process to get GoSwitch to help me out?

Energy comparison is the GoSwitch specialty: it takes less than five minutes to find a better energy plan. Simply enter your postcode and choose from business or residential electricity or gas energy usage. You can also factor solar panels into the equation. Then, select a user profile and enter your mobile number or email address, and a GoSwitch representative will get back to you fast with a quote. No obligation, no cost to you – just the opportunity to save big on your gas and electricity bills!

THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR FRIENDS AT GOSWITCH – HEAD TO THEIR WEBSITE AND TAKE BACK YOUR POWER!