Heating & Cooling (Biggest Energy Users)

Heating and cooling account for 40 — 50% of a typical home's energy bill. Savings opportunities here are substantial.

Set thermostat wisely: 18 — 20°C in winter, 24 — 26°C in summer. Every degree adds ~10% to running costs.
Use ceiling fans: Fans use 90% less energy than air conditioning. Use them instead of or alongside your A/C.
Seal draughts: Weather strips on doors and windows can reduce heating/cooling costs by up to 25%.
Close curtains and blinds: Close them at night in winter to retain heat, and during the day in summer to block heat.
Service your system: Dirty filters make A/Cs and heaters work harder. Clean/replace filters every 3 months.

Hot Water

Hot water is typically 15 — 25% of your energy bill.

Lower the thermostat: 60°C for storage heaters, 45 — 50°C for instantaneous. Every 10°C reduction saves 5 — 10%.
Install a timer: Heat your water only during off-peak periods or when solar is generating.
Fix leaks: A dripping hot tap wastes energy and water.
Consider a heat pump: Heat pump hot water systems use 60 — 75% less energy than electric storage systems.
Solar hot water: Can cut hot water energy use by 50 — 90% depending on your location.

Appliances & Electronics

Choose energy-efficient appliances: Look for high star ratings (4 stars or more). A 4.5-star fridge uses ~40% less energy than a 2-star model.
Turn off standby power: Electronics in standby mode account for 5 — 10% of household electricity use. Use power boards with switches.
Wash clothes in cold water: Modern detergents work well in cold water. Heating water for washing is the biggest energy use in laundry.
Use the sun for drying: Line-dry clothes instead of using a dryer. If you must use a dryer, clean the lint filter after every use.
Full loads only: Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full. Use eco modes where available.

Lighting

Switch to LEDs: LED bulbs use 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10x longer. A full-home LED switch saves ~$100 — 200/year.
Use motion sensors and timers: For outdoor and hallway lights, automatic controls prevent lights being left on.
Maximise natural light: Keep windows clean and use light-coloured curtains to reflect natural light deeper into rooms.

Behavioural Changes (Free Savings)

Shift usage to off-peak: If you're on time-of-use rates, run appliances at night or midday (solar hours).
Use microwave instead of oven: A microwave uses ~70% less energy than a conventional oven for small meals.
Kettle only as much as you need: Boiling a full kettle when you need one cup wastes significant energy.
Shorter showers: Reducing shower time by 2 minutes can save ~$50 — 80/year on water heating.
Switch off lights: Turn lights off when leaving a room (even for LED lights, the old 'leave on' myth doesn't apply).

Solar & Home Upgrades

Install rooftop solar: 6.6kW solar system can save $800 — 1,500/year on electricity bills. Payback period: 3 — 6 years.
Add battery storage: Store excess solar for evening use. Payback is improving (8 — 12 years currently).
Improve home insulation: Ceiling insulation is the most cost-effective upgrade. R5.0+ in ceilings, R2.5+ in walls for most climates.
Double-glazed windows: Reduces heat loss by 40 — 50% compared to single glazing. Best for colder climates (VIC, ACT, TAS).

The 2026 Context: Prices Are Falling — Don't Get Complacent

Default electricity prices fell on 1 July 2026 (the DMO dropped 3.4–5.0% in NSW and 7.2% in SE QLD; the VDO fell about 5%), but none of that lands in your pocket automatically — market offers only drop when you renegotiate or switch. And with the new Solar Sharer Offer providing three free hours a day (11am–2pm in NSW/SE QLD, 12pm–3pm in SA), the highest-value behaviour change of 2026 is shifting usage into that window: run the dishwasher, washing machine and pool pump then, and charge the EV if you have one. Combined with the tips above, a typical household can realistically shave 20–30% off its bill.

Quick Wins Ranked by Payback

Switch plans — free, and usually the single biggest saving (often 15–30%).
Shift usage into free or off-peak windows — free.
LEDs and draught sealing — $50–$300 a year, immediate.
Heat-pump hot water and efficient heating — large savings, longer payback.
Rooftop solar where you own your roof — 3–6 year payback in most states.