How to read an Ergon bill…☠️
Feel like you need a PhD in fine-print to understand your Ergon bill?
You’re not alone. Tariff 11, Tariff 33, solar export credits, self-consumption, daily supply charges… it can all read like a bowl of alphabet soup.
Below, we’ll decode every line, show you the ONE formula that reveals your true savings, and prove how one North Queensland family chopped an $1906 bill down to $81.79 in credit!
In the video above, watch one of our electricians and also head of operations, Jason Davis, breaks down how to read an Ergon bill in under five minutes.
Table of Contents
The 3 Key Lines on Every Ergon Bill
So, ready to learn how to read an Ergon bill?
Grab your latest bill, flip it over, and focus on these three key points:
- Tariff 11 (kWh): Your main daily power usage.
- Tariff 33 or Tariff 31 (kWh): Off-peak power usage (hot water, pools, etc).
- Solar Export (kWh): The electricity your solar system sends back to the grid.
(And if you still get paper bills, take a victory lap, you’re officially retro-cool.)
Tariff 11 vs Tariff 33 Explained (Quick Refresh) 📝
- Tariff 11: Standard rate (~$0.33/kWh). Lights, air-con, Netflix marathons – it’s your home’s main energy source.
- Tariff 33/31: Economy rate (~$0.20/kWh). Used for timed hot water systems, pools, and off-peak appliances.
- Daily Supply Charge/Service Fee: Ergon’s daily supply charge is a fixed fee customers pay each day to cover the cost of maintaining the electricity network, regardless of how much power they use.
Pro Tip: Simply moving heavy usage appliances onto Tariff 33 could instantly save you hundreds each year before solar is even considered!
Solar Export Credits: Why $97 Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story 🤓
If you’re quickly glancing at your Ergon bill, you might see a tiny $97 solar credit and wonder, “Is that it? Are my panels slacking off?”
But relax – this number only reflects excess solar energy you didn’t use yourself but instead sold back to Ergon.
The real savings hero, “self-consumption,” isn’t listed explicitly on your bill.
Self-Consumption: Your Hidden Solar Savings 💰
Self-consumption refers to the electricity you produce and immediately use from your solar system or battery.
It never hits the grid, so Ergon doesn’t display it clearly.
In the video, Jason compared two bills, one was 5,074 kWh for the quarter and the other one was 222 kWh… the difference was 4,852 kWh of power not purchased from Ergon.
Here’s the simple formula Jason shared to uncover your true savings:
Self-consumption (kWh) × grid electricity price = hidden savings
Example: 4,852 kWh × $0.33 = $1,601.16 in hidden savings 🤑
There was also solar credits that added up to $291 for a quarter.
Suddenly, in the example Jason went through, your total quarterly savings jump to $1,892 – almost $8,000 per year!
Not too shabby for rooftop real estate.
Real-Life Case Study: From $1,906 to $81.79 in credit! 🤯
Household Snapshot:
- Family of four in Townsville
- Previously using 40–60 kWh/day
- Installed 15 kW solar system + 20 kWh battery
As you can see in the screenshot above, this customer used 5,170 kWh of power over a 120 day period – this is the power they used in their home.
With the solar + battery combination, instead of paying that huge bill, the only purchased 526.70 kWh from Ergon.
They even sold 3,330 kWh back to Ergon to help cover any shortfall! 🔥
Solar Savings Breakdown
| Before Solar | After Solar |
|---|---|
| Tariff 11 Consumption: 5,170 kWh / 120 days = $1,757 | Tariff 11 Consumption: 526.70 kWh / 120 days = $179 (Daily charge: $148.80) |
| Daily Supply Charge: $1.24/day x 120 days = $148.80 | Solar Credits: 3,330 kWh * Solar Credit Rate = $409.59 credit |
| Total bill: $1,906 (Consumption plus Daily Supply Charge) | Total bill: $81.79 in credit (Solar Credit minus Consumption/Daily Charge) |
| Mood: 😱 | Mood: 😎 |
(Yes, we double-checked the readings.)
Want to Discover Your Own Savings?
Try our free Bill-to-Savings Calculator. Within 60 seconds, you’ll get a personalised savings estimate based on your actual Ergon bill.
Prefer to speak with a human?
Book a free onsite consultation.
If we can’t map out a clear path to a $0 bill for your home, we’ll shout you a $50 fuel card for your time.
No kangaroo-court sales pressure – just friendly advice.
Quick FAQ
Q. Does solar work on cloudy days?
A. Yep, just at lower output (about 20–30%). Batteries help store energy for evening and cloudy days.
Q. What size solar system do I need?
A. Quick rule-of-thumb: for every $100 spent on power, add 1.5 KW of solar. For a detailed calculation, book a free consult.
Q. Will Ergon buy all my excess solar?
A. Ergon pays around 12c/kWh for exported solar at the time of this writing. Prioritise self-consumption to maximise your savings. Check Ergons Tariffs here.
(Got more questions? Drop them in the comments – we love a good bill nerd-out.)
Final Thoughts
Reading your Ergon bill doesn’t have to feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics.
Understanding Tariff 11, Tariff 33, and your self-consumption savings formula means you’ll know exactly how much sunshine is saving you money – and whether it’s time to upgrade or add a battery.
Ready to say goodbye to bill shock?
Book your free consult below – let’s turn your bill shock into bill zero.
Get social below!
Article by the Green Energy Technologies content team – Official Energy Partner of the North Queensland Cowboys.
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