After a month without air conditioning, a Reddit user living in a townhouse was stunned to receive a $225.62 electricity bill for 448 kilowatt-hours.
"I'm finding it quite expensive…or is electric just expensive as with everything else currently? I would like to know if I should be switching providers or if this is pretty normal," they wrote in r/AusFinance.
Here's what to know
The original poster said they were one of two people living in the townhouse and that they had a simple routine: evening TV, a work computer running during the day, lights kept to a minimum, a few loads of laundry each week, and a daily dishwasher cycle outside peak hours.
They used a ceiling fan for a handful of nights, and when they ran their HVAC in November, December, and January, their monthly bill climbed to 380-450 Australian dollars. They had no solar panels.
To put that bill in context, other users shared what they were paying. "448 kilowatt-hours would cost me $87" before a 90-cent daily supply charge, one person said. Another wrote that Lumo in Victoria had offered 21 cents per kWh with a $1 daily service charge.
"Simply switching to a top-three provider will save you money," a third advised.
For homeowners exploring energy providers, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. If rooftop panels are an option, EnergySage can help you get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
More background
Switching retailers made a major difference for one Reddit user, who said they had been paying $600-$650 per quarter with AGL and got down to $129 per month with Kogan.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
"In my case it definitely paid to switch," they said.
However, others questioned whether something in the townhome was using more electricity than expected. One pointed out that the OP didn't list heating and cooling, which are typically major energy expenses for households. Another wrote, "How long do both of you spend in the shower with hot water cranking? Could only be that."
What can be done?
As a first step, commenters recommended comparing plans. "You'll notice that there is a pretty big spread of daily service costs and per kilowatt of charges," one said.
They also suggested looking closely at the bill itself, including the daily supply charge, the per-kWh rate, and whether the plan offers better value for usage moved outside peak hours.
More From EnergySage
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
One person noted that "switching gives you $200 credit with many providers," while another said many plans do not have lock-in terms, making it easy to leave an expensive deal.
Another solution could be generating electricity at home.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on a solar purchase and installation. EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar system by state along with the incentives available in each state, which together can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels.
"Get a battery and join Globird. Say goodbye to high bills," one commenter added.
Pairing battery storage with a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can also explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
Where can I learn more?
For anyone comparing plans or trying to figure out why an electricity bill is so high, these stories break down a few practical ways households are lowering costs.
• With WattBuy, households can shop electricity rates faster than many utilities make possible.
• In Australia, homeowners can cut about $4,000 a year by sealing drafts and ditching gas.
• One homeowner said their bill was cut in half after they changed AC settings.
• Unplugging energy vampires can trim wasted power and lower fire risk.
• Across the U.S., community solar savings could lower bills for millions of households.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
