ENERGY SQUEEZE: 87% OF HOUSEHOLDS ARE REWRITING THEIR POWER PLAYBOOK

The shift is showing up in small daily choices

Most Australian households are no longer treating energy as an afterthought.

New research from iSelect shows that 87 per cent of people have already changed how they use power at home, with cost pressures and another hot summer pushing fans, efficient appliances, and smarter habits to the top of their to-do list.

The shift is showing up in small daily choices. Many households are opting for a fan instead of an air conditioner, reducing their usage, or upgrading to more efficient appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and reverse-cycle systems.

The study suggests a broader shift in how Australians approach their bills, with energy decisions now being considered alongside weekly meal planning and grocery shopping.

Sophie Ryan, iSelect spokesperson, said: “Energy is no longer just about keeping the lights on or the air-con running.

"It’s becoming an integral part of our daily decision-making, such as meal planning or grocery shopping. Australians are realising that minor adjustments can add up to significant savings, and in many cases, make their homes more sustainable at the same time.”

Cooling is in for a rethink before summer. More than 8 in ten Australians plan to change how they keep homes comfortable.

The most common move is switching to a fan instead of the air conditioner at 40 per cent, while 37 per cent will cool only certain rooms.

Some are getting creative, from adjusting air conditioning timing to when rooftop solar is generating, to, yes, taking a cooling swim at 14 per cent. Still, 18 per cent will not be changing their habits, which shows the line many people are walking between comfort and cost.

“As technology becomes more accessible, these shifts will only accelerate,” Ryan said.

“From affordable energy-efficient appliances to broader adoption of solar and smart meters, Australians are finding ways to strike a balance between lifestyle, affordability, and sustainability.

"What’s clear is that energy management is no longer a niche concern or only thought about when the bills come in; it’s becoming part of everyday life.”

Winter behaviours are carrying through. Households are turning off lights and standby appliances, reducing heating or cooling by 56 per cent, and investing in efficient upgrades.

More people are checking smart meters or usage apps to track their costs in real-time, and some are switching to cheaper energy plans.

While Ms Ryan said switching to cheaper deals could shave hundreds off some Aussies’ energy bills, just 12 per cent said they had taken this action.

“Comparing and switching is a fast and easy way to save on electricity and gas, but we know hundreds of thousands of people don’t shop around and pay more than they need to.

”Ms Ryan said. “We know that around 800,000 Aussie households are on default market offers because they haven’t moved onto cheaper offers that are available.”

Cost remains the primary driver as bills rise, but the environment is now part of the calculus for an increasing number of households.

Remote work is also changing patterns, giving people greater control over daytime usage and helping them align chores, cooling, and appliance run times with solar production or off-peak rates.

The takeaway is simple. As households brace for hotter days, energy decisions are becoming proactive. Australians are adopting small, repeatable habits to save money, stay comfortable, and live more sustainably.

The data suggests that those habits will only deepen as efficient technology and solar energy become more accessible.