But if you are looking for the biggest discounts, you need to cross the border into NSW, where ActewAGL offers discounts of up to 22 per cent, in a more competitive market.

Energy comparison service comparethemarket.com.au says the ACT has the lowest estimated cost for electricity at just over 20 cents per kW, but overall electricity use is highest in Australia.

ACT electricity prices increased 1.5 per cent in the new financial year, adding about $10 to bills, and prices have jumped in other states, triggering a fresh round of discounting.

In Canberra, ActewAGL says it has a policy of matching or beating publicly advertised offers that are similar to its pricing structure. ActewAGL Retail also operates in the wider Capital Region, and varies its prices depending on location.

NSW and ACT have the same wholesale electricity price, but other charges vary, and the ACT prices are set and regulated by an independent regulator, whereas in NSW they are no longer regulated by an independent tribunal.

In the ACT, ActewAGL customers on the most popular tariff pay 18.281c/kWh (including GST). In NSW, ActewAGL customers pay between 25.773c/kWh to 26.620c/kWh.

Queanbeyan and Bungendore customers can receive up to 22 per cent off their electricity and gas consumption. In Goulburn, Yass and further afield at Young and Boorowa, 20 per cent discounts on electricity and 10 per cent off gas consumption are on offer, according to a spokeswoman.

In Canberra, ActewAGL's rivals are not as competitive. Energy Australia's discounts were the best in NSW, but fizzled in the territory.

In the ACT, Energy Australia's "flexi saver" deal gives an 11 per cent pay-on-time discount on the usage charges, off both electricity and gas. The offer goes for 12 months with no early termination fee.

Origin Energy "Origin saver" plan gives ACT customers a 10 per cent pay-on-time discount on the usage charges for electricity and gas. This offer goes for 12 months with no early termination fees. Fewer customers in the ACT means there is less data for comparison, compared to markets in other states, according to comparethemarket.com.au.

In Goulburn, Energy Australia is fighting to woo customers back who have opted out and signed up with another retailer.

"Your home used to be powered by us and we'd love to power it again. Bring us back, bundle both your gas and electricity with Energy Australia on a Flexi Saver plan and cut hundreds from your energy bills over 12 months," the retailer says.

Energy Australia is offering a 17 per cent discount on electricity and 15 per cent cut in gas, so long as customers pay on time and choose to receive bills by email, plus a two-month supply charge credit on electricity and gas bills.

Other retailers are offering discounts for customers who agree to direct debits.