What Is The Average Electricity Bill in Adelaide

What Is The Average Electricity Bill in Adelaide?

Electricity price increases in 2023 will affect 62,600 residential customers (7.8% of the South Australian consumer market) and 13,778 small and medium businesses (15.9%) in South Australia.

Many households in South Australia are struggling to make ends meet today, and rising electricity prices are making matters worse. South Australians are concerned about rising electricity bills, but they have no choice but to pay more and more each month.

In fact, due to rising electricity costs, the biggest concern for more Adelaide households is paying their monthly electricity bills. 81% of Adelaide residents say their electricity bills are higher than expected. And these unexpected electricity bill increases can cause financial stress.

Electricity consumption patterns vary from home to home in Adelaide, depending on home size and energy use patterns. So, in Adelaide, where there are multiple electricity suppliers, your electricity bill could be as low as $1400 or as high as $2000. The average Adelaide household spends $1827 a year on electricity, according to new research from Canstar Blue.

What Are the Components of Electricity Bills? 

Research by the Climate Council shows that the average electricity bill for an Adelaide household is made up of four main cost components:

Generation Costs

The components of your electric bill are the initial cost of the electricity the power plant generates. South Australia includes electricity generated from renewable sources (solar and wind) and non-renewable sources. Therefore, part of the electricity generated by rooftop solar is sold to electricity retailers through the National Electricity Market (NEM) and then resold to households and businesses using the electricity. The price of the generation cost can vary significantly throughout the sales process.

Transportation and Distribution Costs

After the electricity is generated, the electricity supplier delivers the electricity to homes and businesses. In South Australia, the transmission costs of the high-voltage transmission network and large transmission towers account for about 8% of the final electricity bill.

Electricity Retail Costs

Electricity suppliers pay service charges to transmission and distribution companies to transport the electricity, which is passed on to consumers. Generally, the retail price of electricity also includes the costs charged by the electricity supplier for operation and maintenance.

One of the most important ways to save on electricity bills is not to sign lengthy contracts. Without signing a long-term contract, you can negotiate the electricity price with the electricity supplier or switch electricity suppliers and plans when a lower price option appears.

Environmental Policy

With the establishment of environmental sustainability goals, the Australian government is paying more attention to environmental protection. Therefore, corresponding policy restrictions, such as taxes, have been formulated for non-renewable energy generation.

On the contrary, the government also has specific incentives if the power generation method is switched to renewable energy. In general, the costs incurred in the electricity bill due to environmental policies are not much.

What Are The Electric Rates in Adelaide?

A recent study by Energise revealed the differences in electricity costs across Australia's capital cities, with Adelaide being the city with the highest electricity prices. The comprehensive analysis looked at 7,612 residential electricity plans available on the National Electricity Market (NEM) in April 2024.

The average electricity price for Adelaide residents is around 45 to 48 cents per kilowatt-hour. Electricity prices fluctuate based on the energy market. They can vary by household size and age group, directly affecting how much each household consumes and when they rely most on electricity.

Regardless of how much electricity your home needs, all electricity suppliers add a daily supply charge. These daily expenses include electricity supply and maintenance of cables, transformers and power plants. In Adelaide, these costs range from 100 to 120 cents per day and represent a significant portion of energy bills, particularly for low-energy households.

Based on the above findings, Adelaide residents still spend a lot of money on electricity. If daily supply charges are considered, the actual electricity cost for a typical two-person household averages 47.1 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The average cost of electricity in Adelaide depends on the amount used in kilowatt hours (kWh). In a typical scenario, a residential customer on a single electricity rate can expect a standard annual electricity usage of 3,911kWh.

More than 20 retailers in the Adelaide area offer various plans, each with electricity prices and daily supply charges. Consumers can consider their specific electricity needs, regularly review the available plans, and choose an electricity plan with competitive usage and supply rates to stay cost-effective and minimise their electricity bills.

The table below is information about the ten electricity suppliers in Adelaide. To view more electricity plans or detailed information, please visit Canstar Blue.

(Data Source: Service Today)

Factors Affect The Average Electric Bill in Adelaide

Whether using electricity to boil water or watch TV, you use electricity everywhere. However, if you understand the factors that affect your electricity bill, you can control your electricity consumption.

Therefore, you should know about electricity bill trends in Adelaide to help you decide where you can save money. The factors affecting the average electricity bill in Adelaide depend on two main factors: electricity consumption and price.

Factor 1: Electricity Consumption

Most of your energy bills come from energy consumption. Therefore, energy consumption is the main factor affecting your overall energy bill. Different families have different energy usage habits, which affect their energy bills differently. The power consumption is mainly related to the time of use, the weather, the number of family members, the number of appliances and the type of appliances.

Seasonal Changes

• In the hot summer, air conditioning systems are used more frequently, which increases electricity consumption.
• In the cold winter, houses need to be heated for longer, which increases electricity consumption.

Household Size

Generally speaking, the more people living in a household, the higher the electricity bill. So, the impact of household size on electricity bills must be addressed. The table below shows the average quarterly electricity bill for each household size in Adelaide.

Types of Appliances

If your home has more energy-efficient appliances, your electricity usage and bills may be lower than a home with higher running costs.

Factor 2: Electricity Prices

The most critical factors affecting average electricity bills in Adelaide are electricity plans and suppliers. Electricity suppliers have different prices, customer service, credit terms and other benefits. Therefore, many electricity suppliers respond to competition by offering attractive or low prices. In addition, each electricity plan has a rate that specifies the price a household pays for its electricity.

Residents should consider the following when comparing electricity plans and suppliers:

• Price per kilowatt-hour of electricity
• Daily supply fee
• Contract length of the electricity plan
• Discounts and offers that suppliers may offer
• Favorable green energy prices offered by some plans

How to Lower Your Electric Bill in Adelaide?

Lowering your electricity bill doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the comforts of your home. Adelaide residents can use practical and intelligent strategies to control their electricity costs and contribute to a more sustainable household economy. To ensure you pay less than the average for electricity, take these tips to reduce your electricity bill.

Tip 1: ‍Choose A Better Electricity Plan

Check current rates on price comparison websites and switch providers if necessary. Consider rates, senior living, and personal costs to find and choose the electricity plan that best suits your home usage patterns.

Tip 2: Develop Energy-Saving Habits

Minor energy-saving actions can accumulate to create substantial energy savings. It would help keep appliances like TVs and computers on standby when not in use, increasing your electricity bill by as much as 10% and turning off standby devices when not in use will lead to immediate savings.

Activating the lights constitutes 15% or more of your household's energy consumption. Please avoid leaving them on unnecessarily. Just like heating and lighting, turn off the air conditioning when unnecessary. Choose natural ventilation over constant air conditioning whenever feasible.

Connect standby electronic devices to smart power strips that automatically cut power when not in use, as certain electronics like TVs, computers, and speakers often remain on. When it enters standby mode, it consumes significantly less power, 5% to 10% of the household's energy usage.

Tip 3: Limit The Use of Heating & Cooling

Limit the use of heating and air conditioning to the time when it is necessary. In winter, the temperature should be between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. Every degree higher than this will increase the power consumption by 10%. In summer, try to use low-power fans instead of air conditioning.

Tip 4: Review Your Electricity Using Habits

You can find a cheaper option by looking at and comparing the prices of energy from different providers in your area. For example, you can use sites like Finder to compare electric plans that fit how you use electricity and switch to a seller with better prices.

Regular maintenance will help keep the systems and equipment in your home in good shape, so you don't have to worry about overusing them or paying for repairs you didn't expect. For instance, changing the air filters in your HVAC systems regularly can make them work better and save you money on your energy bills and energy use.

Tip 5: Turn to Green Energy

South Australia has the highest electricity bills in the country. Therefore, electricity bills account for the majority of household expenses in Adelaide. But big bills also mean significant savings. Australia has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar penetration in the world. 

The government has also confirmed that wind and solar are Australia's cheapest electricity generation sources. Installing a solar system or investing in a portable one can reduce electricity bills.

Discover the portable solar generator, the perfect solution if you think installing a solar system is too expensive. Solar generators, such as the Jackery Solar Generator, offer an eco-friendly energy solution that helps cut down on energy usage and decrease household electricity expenses.

Investing in solar energy for your home opens the door to various incentives, rebates, and feed-in tariffs. Not only does this enhance your property's value, but it also helps you save on energy costs. 

Jackery Solar Generators for Reducing Electric Bills

Implementing a solar energy system in your residence provides numerous advantages. Jackery is a renowned manufacturer in the solar industry, focusing on producing top-notch solar equipment like solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations.

Jackery Solar Generators offer a reliable and uninterrupted power supply for your household appliances to reduce your electric bills.  

In conjunction with Jackery Solar Panels, a Portable Power Station facilitates the efficient conversion and storage of more sunlight for future use. By having numerous output ports, you can charge multiple appliances at the same time.

Additionally, a Portable Power Station offers several options for recharging, such as Jackery Solar Panels, carports, wall outlets, or other electric generators.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery has introduced the Solar Generator 2000 Plus, a state-of-the-art portable power solution that delivers outstanding performance. With its impressive capacity and powerful output, this device can support the operation of typical household appliances for weeks, which is best for saving your electric bills.

• Expandable Powerhouse for Your Appliances: The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus enables the addition of extra battery packs, increasing the capacity from 2 kWhto an impressive 12 kWh, thereby significantly improving the solar charging capabilities. This solar product can be expanded to 3000W, providing a 30% higher rated power than other 2 kWh solar products. Almost all necessary household appliances are powered.

• Higher Resistance & Reliability: The Explorer 2000 Plus stands out as a groundbreaking add-on battery pack that offers the convenience of recharging through solar panels. This feature increases versatility, boosts charging efficiency, and shortens charging time. The LiFePO4 battery, featuring advanced technology, ensures a lifespan of 10 years, even with daily use restricted to once per day.

• Lower Noise for Safe Use at Home: The whisper-loud noise and quiet-charging mode make the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus an ideal companion for home use. Reduced noise fosters a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere, alleviating stress and enhancing overall well-being.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is the ultimate portable power supply, thanks to its remarkable output capabilities. It serves as a valuable resource for your home or emergencies. This solar generator offers an ideal solution for how you live, merging versatility and a compact design into a single powerful package. 

• 1-3 Days Reliable Home Backup Power: Accommodates up to three extra battery packs, elevating the total capacity to 5kWhand delivering 1-3 days of reliable home backup power. Imagine a solar generator that effortlessly powers your refrigerators, TVs, phones, and countless other devices at home, enhancing your comfort and convenience.

• Multiple Charging Options: Discover exceptional solar charging efficiency through our cutting-edge technology. You can use four pics of SolarSaga 100W solar panels to recharge this power station for only 5 hours. Also, you can choose fast wall charging only for 1.7 hours. Quickly power up your devices and experience more extended usage periods. Remain energised and linked, no matter where you are. Dependable and effective charging customised to suit your requirements.

• Safeguard Your Appliances: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station boasts an impressive 10-year lifespan and features a LiFePO4 battery. It delivers stable voltage and a pure sine wave, guaranteeing the safety of all your electronic devices. The cutting-edge ChargeShield technology ensures reliable power delivery, effectively preventing any potential equipment damage.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Adelaide? 

Adelaide's mild Mediterranean climate, vibrant parks and popular events make it one of the most liveable cities in the world. The cost of living in Adelaide is lower than any other capital city in mainland Australia.

The cost of living in Adelaide is 16% less than in Sydney and 13% less than in Melbourne. Adelaide's low cost of living means you can save on food, accommodation, utilities and transport.

Accommodation: You can deduct the accommodation cost if you own your home. However, you will still need to itemise the cost of repairs and maintenance of your home separately. If you rent a property, accommodation is the most significant expense. In Adelaide, renting a property can range from $580 to $1560.

Electricity: The average monthly electricity bill in Adelaide is $150.

Gas: If you use gas for cooking and heating, the monthly bill can be as high as $90. As gas costs go up, electricity costs are likely to go down.

Water: In Adelaide, you can expect to pay between $2.40 and $3.70 per 1,000 litres of water.

Food: A weekly grocery bill in Adelaide can range between $90 and $135. The following table shows the prices of some items in Adelaide. (There may be discrepancies between the actual prices, and they are for reference only)

(Data Source: Saibt)

Transport: Adelaide has excellent transport services, including buses, trains and city bikes. You can rent bikes for free. Some routes have free trains and buses, including the City Loop bus. Adelaide's free tram zone is from South Terrace to the Entertainment Centre station. You can spend about $20 to $40 weekly on public transport.

Average Electric Bill in Adelaide FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the average electric bill in Adelaide.

1. What should you consider when choosing an electricity supplier?

Choosing an electricity supplier is a matter that requires careful consideration. It would help if you considered the following aspects:

- What payment methods does the electricity supplier accept?

- What are the electricity supplier's discount conditions?

- Are there any additional fees for terminating the contract?

- What is the turnaround time for switching?

- How much does electricity cost per kWh?

You can review the detailed electricity plan whenever you have determined the electricity supplier with the best offer for your needs.        

2. How can you choose a better electricity plan?

You can save a lot of dollars annually by choosing a better electricity plan and comparing prices. In addition, you need to use a tool that can compare and analyse electricity plans to choose the best one. With select and switch, you can compare your current electricity costs with the electricity plans currently offered by leading electricity providers.

So, you can choose the electricity plan that is best for you. The entire comparison and analysis process takes about 5 minutes and is easy to complete. The only thing you need to pay attention to is:

- It would help if you were online to complete the entire process.

- Select your region before you start.

- Compare your recent bill with the electricity plan you want.

3. Can a solar system replace electricity from your electricity supplier?

In other words, can a solar system take on your household electricity needs? A solar system can power your entire house. But in reality, current technology only allows the average homeowner to go entirely off the grid with solar panels. Reducing your electricity needs is more accessible than installing enough solar panels to maintain your current lifestyle.

While it is not realistic to go off the grid with solar power now, installing solar panels is a good idea. Even if it can't power everything in your home, a solar system can still provide plenty of power for appliances and lighting and help reduce household costs. While you won't be able to fully meet your electricity needs, at least you can reduce your reliance on the grid.

Final Thoughts

Adelaide's mild Mediterranean climate, vibrant parks and popular events make it one of the most liveable cities in the world. But surprisingly, electricity bills in Adelaide are expensive.

This article contains information about electricity consumption and costs in Adelaide and lists the corresponding measures to reduce electricity consumption and electricity costs.