Half of Australians plan to cut back on air conditioning use this summer in a bid to combat rising electricity prices, according to new Compare the Market research.
Despite the Bureau of Meteorology predicting higher-than-average temperatures for most parts of the country this summer,1 51% of surveyed Australians will reduce their reliance on the air-con to cool down.
The finding comes as households roll off the federal government’s $150 energy bill rebate in 2026, with Compare the Market’s 2025 Household Budget Barometer report revealing government incentives have only shielded Australians from rising electricity costs this year.
Australians’ top electricity habit changes this summer
| Energy usage changes to combat rising prices | Proportion of responses |
| Turn off unused appliances at the wall | 56% |
| Run the air conditioning less | 51% |
| Rely more on solar panels during the day | 23% |
| Barbecue more often to avoid using electricity | 16% |
| Won’t change electricity habits | 18% |
Source: Compare the Market
Around 56% of Australians surveyed also plan to switch off unused appliances at the wall, while 23% will seek to utilise more solar-generated energy during the day.
Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said there are simple ways to reduce your energy bill this summer without a heavy investment cost.
“With an even hotter summer forecasted, energy consumption may inevitably rise again – and Aussies are looking to cut back by switching things off, including the air-con,” Mr Ford said.
“Rather than sweltering this summer, you may be able to reduce the amount you pay by shopping around for a more affordable electricity plan. Research from our recent Household Budget Barometer shows just 34% of Australians surveyed have shopped around for energy in the past 12 months, which is far too low considering there may be cheaper options available.
“Retailers often change their plans and rates, so if you haven’t compared in a while, chances are you may be paying more than you need to.
“It’s also about being more energy smart. If you’re running the air-con, consider increasing the thermostat to the recommended temperature of between 25°C and 27°C, as each degree cooler can increase your running costs by as much as 10%.
“If you are on a time-of-use plan, consider doing the washing during off-peak periods when electricity is cheapest, close windows and blinds when using the fan or air con, and replace older appliances with more energy-efficient units.
“And of course, if you have solar, use power your system generates during the day or export it to a solar battery if you have one so you can use it during peak times without drawing from the grid.
“Australians may face higher energy bills in the new year without the federal government’s energy rebate offsetting increased energy costs, but it doesn’t mean you can’t reduce your bill on your own.”
When referencing this research, please attribute: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/news/swelting-summer-savers/
Disclaimers
Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,004 Australians in October 2025.
Additional sources:
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