From taking shorter showers to shivering through winter and shutting off appliances, new Compare the Market research has revealed that 87.4% of Australians are implementing cost-cutting tactics to help slash their energy bills.*
The new findings show that turning off appliances at the wall is the most common strategy to slash energy bills, used by around half of households, followed by reducing heater or air-conditioner use (46.8%) and using energy‑efficient light bulbs (44.1%).
Compare the Market Economic Director David Koch said while Australians are becoming increasingly savvy, there’s a simple saving method many are skipping.
“Australians have had a gutful of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis but have the power to help keep their energy bills under control,” Mr Koch said. “Before we see anyone shivering through winter by switching off heating or taking cold showers, one effective bill buster is ensuring you’re on the cheapest energy plan to begin with.
“The number of people I’ve met who complain about high bills but haven’t compared their plan in more than a year is astounding. It takes just a few minutes to compare. And hot tip: check your latest bill for a better bill offer message. Your retailer is required to let you know if they can provide you with a cheaper plan. Recent ACCC data shows 73.3% of Aussies aren’t on their retailer’s best offer, which is a big chunk of the population.”
Mr Koch said if you’ve already compared plans, choosing where and how to cut back was key.
What Aussies are doing to cut energy costs
| Tactic | Kochie’s tip |
| Turning off appliances at the wall – 53.5% | “So-called ‘vampire power’, which is the electricity your devices and appliances use when on standby, can account for up to 10% of your total electricity usage, so cutting back here could help slash bills. Smart plugs and timers may also be beneficial.” |
| Using energy-efficient light bulbs – 44.1% | “Switching to LED lights from older power-guzzling bulbs is a good shout, as they use 80% less energy. And as always, if you’re not using lights, switch them off to help save even more.” |
| Reducing heater or air-conditioner use – 46.8% | “If heating your home during winter, set the thermostat to between 18°C and 20°C, as every degree warmer can increase your usage by between 5 and 10%. Improving insulation and sealing drafts may also help reduce heating and cooling costs. Just 9.6% of Aussies surveyed by Compare the Market say they use methods like heated blankets and hand warmers before using heating.”
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| Limiting use of major appliances – 30.3% | “The big household appliances are responsible for almost a third of your total electricity usage. Where you can, utilise electricity generated by solar systems or that’s stored in solar batteries, operate appliances during off-peak times if you’re on a time-of-use plan and if you’re in the market for new appliances, remember that a higher energy-star rating usually results in lower usage costs. Also consider using energy data tools or apps to identify usage spikes and bill blowouts.”
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| Taking shorter showers or cutting hot water use – 23.2% | “Look beyond just taking a shorter shower. Set your washing machine to a cold wash, which can be around 10 times more energy efficient than a warm wash. You’d also be surprised at the difference a low-flow shower head can make, so pay careful attention to the water rating if you’re in the market for a new one.” |
*Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey 1,015 18+ aged Australian adults, conducted March 2026.
Despite the pressure on household budgets, only 9.3% of Aussies surveyed by Compare the Market have switched energy providers or plans as a tactic to lower bills, suggesting many Australians may be overlooking one of the simplest potential saving methods.
“Cutting back on comfort can only go so far,” Mr Koch said. “Making sure you’re not paying too much for every kilowatt hour you use can have a far bigger impact than sitting in the dark or being uncomfortable in your own home.”
The research comes as households await the upcoming Default Market Offer (DMO) and Victorian Default Offer (VDO) announcements, which will set electricity price benchmarks from 1 July.
“The DMO and VDO act as a price safety net, but they also influence what many Australians on other plans and offers pay,” Mr Koch said. “When the default offers increase or decrease, retailers usually adjust their market offers as well.
“Any increase could push power bills higher at a time when families are already feeling stretched, which makes comparing prices more important than ever. Even if prices fall, as the draft announcements predict they will, it’s vital to shop around and ensure you’re paying as little as possible.
“If you’re not actively checking your energy plan, you could be paying more than you need to without even realising it. Ahead of 1 July, Australians should take a few minutes to compare what they’re paying now against what else is on offer. It could be one of the easiest savings wins this year, especially when we don’t have energy rebates to cushion high prices.”
For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
