Struggling Energy Companies in the Marketplace
In the competitive Australian energy market, finding a reliable and environmentally friendly provider can be a daunting task. To help simplify this process, we've compiled a guide based on data from comparison tools, consumer reviews, and official complaint records.
Environmental Performance
Look for retailers offering GreenPower certified renewable energy options, which indicates a commitment to green energy sources. Providers like Lumo Energy and Energy Locals often offer GreenPower options or have positive reputations for renewable energy efforts.
Customer Service
Consumer reviews on independent platforms such as ProductReview.com.au provide insights into customer service quality. For instance, Energy Locals has been highly praised for friendly, helpful, and professional responses, while some providers like Smart Energy Answers have received complaints about poor customer service and communication issues.
Number of Complaints
While your search results did not provide exact complaint numbers for all providers, public forums and watchdog websites tend to highlight patterns. For example, Globird Energy has been called out for unjustified rate increases, indicating customer dissatisfaction. You can also consult the Energy and Water Ombudsman websites for detailed complaint statistics by provider in your state.
Using Comparison Tools
Tools like Finder’s Energy Finder™ allow you to compare popular energy retailers across Australia by price and can give you access to reviews or rankings that include environmental and customer service factors. Similarly, Canstar Blue lists energy plans with value and extras, including GreenPower offerings, which can help gauge environmental performance alongside price.
Avoiding Poor Performers
Five energy retailers are suggested to be avoided due to ordinary customer service and negative environmental impact. These include Sumo Power, EnergyAustralia, Origin Energy, and Powerdirect.
Sumo Power, for instance, was fined $1.2 million by the ACCC for making false or misleading representations to Victorian consumers and paid $500,000 in penalties in 2020 for disconnecting 143 customers without proper warning. EnergyAustralia, the second biggest carbon polluter in Australia, also has a poor rating due to its environmental impact. Its rating has worsened over time, and it plans to burn coal until 2040. Origin Energy, one of the largest providers in the country, has a poor rating due to its environmental impact and customer service. It plans to burn coal until 2032.
Scoring System
The assessment is based on a Green electricity score, Complaints score, and Call response score. The CHOICE Expert Rating is calculated by combining all the scores, with complaints score making up 30%, customer response rate making up 30%, and Green Energy Guide making up 40%.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you can balance environmental performance, service quality, and complaint history when choosing the best energy retailer in Australia. Providers like Energy Locals and Lumo Energy stand out for strong customer service and renewable energy options, while avoiding providers noted for poor service or complaints like Smart Energy Answers or Globird Energy where possible.
In the light of the guide, choosing an energy retailer that offers GreenPower certified renewable energy options, like Lumo Energy and Energy Locals, can demonstrate a commitment to green energy sources while ensuring quality customer service. Consciously avoiding providers with poor performance in either customer service or environmental impact, such as Sumo Power, EnergyAustralia, Origin Energy, and Powerdirect, can lead to a more satisfactory energy market experience.
