Before you start
Why this guide does not promise a savings figure
Location, climate, household size, building design, appliances, usage habits, tariff structure and solar all change an energy bill. The Australian Government’s household guide makes the same point: each household is different, so the useful process is to understand the bill, identify hot spots and compare suitable options.
Record a recent annual or seasonal total before making a change. Without a baseline, a lower bill may reflect weather, occupancy or billing period rather than the action you took.
Six checks / in order
Build a household-specific action list
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01
Map every line on the bill
Record daily supply charges, usage charges, peak/shoulder/off-peak periods, controlled load, demand charges, discounts, fees and solar credits. Use the same tax treatment when comparing alternatives.
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02
Compare plans with real usage
Energy Made Easy is a free, independent government service for NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. It can use location and usage information to compare available plans. For other jurisdictions, use the relevant official state or territory service.
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03
Match the tariff to when you use energy
Do not assume off-peak is always cheaper overall. Exact time bands and rates differ by plan. Compare them with the times your household uses heating, cooling, hot water, cooking, pool equipment or vehicle charging.
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04
Target major household loads
The government guide identifies heating and cooling, hot water, pools and spas, refrigeration and other appliances as important household energy-use areas. Start with the largest measured load you can safely change.
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05
Compare appliance running costs
When replacing an appliance, compare models of a similar size and function. Use the Energy Rating Label and official calculator to estimate running costs with a relevant tariff instead of relying only on the purchase price or star count.
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06
Model solar or batteries separately
Use interval consumption where available, several current quotes, realistic self-consumption and export assumptions, finance cost, warranties and current feed-in terms. A solar or battery estimate is a scenario, not a universal payback claim.
Comparison worksheet
Turn marketing into comparable fields
| Field | Current plan | Candidate plan | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost estimate | Your bill total | Same usage profile | Official comparison result or calculation |
| Supply and usage | All applicable rates | All applicable rates | Plan fact sheet |
| Tariff conditions | Current meter and periods | Proposed meter and periods | Retailer terms |
| Discounts and fees | Conditions recorded | Conditions recorded | Plan documents |
| Solar export | Current rate and rules | New rate and rules | Retailer solar terms |
| Review date | Date checked | Date checked | Saved URL or PDF |
Measure the result
Use a simple before-and-after record
Record days, kWh, charges, weather notes and household changes.
Note the plan, tariff, setting or equipment change and its effective date.
Compare daily or monthly use and cost while accounting for obvious context changes.
Official tools / reviewed 30 July 2026
Continue with primary sources
Rates, plan availability, rebates, eligibility rules and retailer terms change. Recheck the applicable official service and current plan documents before acting.