Despite efforts to reduce their electricity use, their bills are four times the average household, and no one can explain why.

Now they're using Zoe's meagre disability pension in a last ditch bid to avoid being disconnected.

• World's highest power prices
• Power price disgrace
• Pensioner drowning in debt

Today Tonight's latest bill stories

More stories from reporter Lynda Kinkade

Momentum Energy has undertaken an investigation into concerns raised by Wendy Bennett-Teague about high electricity bills at her home.

To date, that investigation has discovered that the metering is accurate, that the house has a multiphase power supply. To install multiphase light and power a customer must have a requirement for high - voltage appliances. The consumption is charged as peak and off peak with Hot water off peak from 11 – 7 each night and light and power off peak all weekend.

Momentum took over the account in August 2011 when Mrs Bennett-Teague switched to the SmilePower product. Network data from the distributor confirms a decrease in consumption since December 2011, compared with previous years when she was a customer of LUMO.

The Electricity Ombudsman has previously confirmed consumption and related billing at the property is correct and that there was no valid claim against the previous electricity retailer.

Momentum’s investigation has also demonstrated a link between weather patterns in Swan Hill and the high consumption peaks.

• 24th December: 109 kWh, 37.4 degrees in Swan Hill
• 25th December: 130 kWh, 37.3 degrees in Swan Hill

• 31st December: 117 kWh, 36.8 degrees
• 1st January: 123 kWh, 38.5 degrees
• 2nd January: 133 kWh, 40.6 degrees
• 3rd January: 126 kWh, 41.2 degrees

• 25th February: 121 kWh, 37.6 degrees

Momentum Energy has agreed to pay for a further test of metering to ensure its accuracy and to work with Mrs Bennett-Teague to ensure appliances in the home are operating as efficiently as possible during off-peak power periods.

Momentum is confident that the investigation into why Mrs Bennett‐Teague’s consumption is so high will provide her with actionable advice on how to reduce her electricity bills.

Mrs Bennett‐Teague is on our SmilePower product meaning her accounts will not be subject to a carbon charge for the life of her contract.

Find a cheaper energy provider and apply online to switch today with Moneyhound

• Go Switch - www.goswitch.com.au