An energy retailer buys electricity or gas from the wholesale market and sells it to customers through plans with different rates, fees and discounts. It sends your bills, manages payments, reads or arranges meter data, and handles account questions, while the local distributor maintains the poles, wires, pipes and physical supply. Your bill usually includes usage charges, network costs, government charges and retailer fees. You can compare retailers and plans using your current bill and, where available, an official comparison service such as Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare.