Costs and finance High electricity bill? Where the power is going
High bills usually come from cooling, hot water, older appliances, standby power or a plan that no longer suits your household.
A high electricity bill usually comes from a few big users, such as air conditioning in a Queensland summer, hot water, pool pumps and older appliances, plus standby power and a plan that may no longer suit you. Comparing your usage over time, and your plan against others, shows where to look first.
How do I see where the power is going?
Start with your bill. Most bills show how much energy you used in kilowatt hours (kWh) and often compare it with an earlier period. Look at year-on-year usage for the same season, since weather changes use. A jump in usage points to a change in how you use power. A jump in price with steady usage points to the plan or rates.
Your retailer may offer an online account or app that breaks usage down by day. That can show whether use is mainly in the evening, overnight or across the day.
What are the common causes?
- Cooling. In south-east Queensland, running air conditioning during hot months is often the biggest driver of a summer bill.
- Hot water. Heating water is a steady load all year in many homes.
- Pool pumps. Pumps that run for many hours a day add up.
- Older appliances. Older fridges, freezers and heaters can use more power than newer models.
- Standby power. Many devices draw power even when they look off.
- More people or more time at home. A new baby, work from home or extra guests change use.
These are general patterns, not a diagnosis of your home. Your own usage data is the best guide.
Could my plan or retailer be the problem?
Possibly. Electricity plans change, and a plan that was competitive when you signed up may not be now. Government energy comparison services let you compare offers using your own usage. We could not confirm the exact address of the current comparison site, so search for the official Energy Made Easy service and check it is the government one before entering any details.
Also check whether a discount or deal on your plan has ended, since that can lift the price per unit without any change in use.
Where do solar, batteries and efficiency fit?
For some households, solar panels, a battery or efficiency upgrades can change how much power is bought from the grid. Whether they make sense depends on your usage, roof, budget and goals, so talk to a licensed installer about your own situation. Our other articles explain how solar behaves during outages and why export can be limited.
When is high use a sign of a problem?
Most high bills come from normal use, not faults. But a sudden unexplained jump, together with signs such as warm fittings, buzzing, flickering or a burning smell, is worth taking seriously. Note what you see and when, without touching or opening anything, and ask a licensed electrician to investigate. If your retailer’s data shows steady high use overnight when nothing should be running, tell them and ask them to check the meter data.
A calm way to review your bill
Compare like with like
Put this bill beside the same period last year and note usage, not only the total.
Note your big users
List what runs most: cooling, hot water, pool, fridges. Write down roughly when they run.
Check your plan
Look at your rates and whether any discount has ended, then compare plans through an official service.
Ask for help with unexplained use
If usage seems far too high for your household, ask your retailer to check the meter data, and ask a licensed electrician to look at any equipment you suspect.
Frequently asked questions
In south-east Queensland, air conditioning and cooling are often the biggest summer driver. Comparing usage with the same period last year shows how much changed.
Many devices draw some power when they appear off. It is usually small per device but can add up across a home.
Use an official government comparison service with your own usage figures. Confirm the site is the government one before entering details.
It can. If you suspect one, stay away from anything hot or smelling burnt and ask a licensed electrician or the maker to look at it.
It can reduce power bought from the grid for some households, but results depend on your usage, roof and setup. Ask a licensed installer about your own home.
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