What Is The Average Electricity Usage in Australia

Average Electricity Usage in Australia

Like many other countries, Australia relies heavily on electricity to keep homes and businesses running. Australia's average electricity usage has always been a hot topic, especially compared to other countries.

According to the relevant data, Australia has a relatively high per capita electricity usage, ranking in the top ten globally. Due to Australia's heavy reliance on coal-fired power stations, they were the country's primary source of electricity for many years. On the other hand, countries like France and Sweden use less electricity because they use nuclear and renewable energy.

While Australia's average electricity usage may be high compared to some countries, various factors such as energy, climate, and population density must be considered when making a fair comparison.

Population Density

Australia has a relatively low population density compared to other countries, which may affect its average electricity usage. Countries with higher population densities, like Singapore and South Korea, may have more efficient and denser electricity systems, resulting in lower per capita electricity usage.

Climate

Regions within Australia also vary in average electricity usage. Tasmania, known for its cooler climate, ranks first in energy usage in the country, with an average annual electricity usage of approximately 8,619 kWh, or about 23.61 kWh per day. In contrast, Victoria, which generally has a milder climate, has the country's lowest average annual electricity usage, at approximately 4,615 kWh, or 12.64 kWh per day.

Average Electricity Usage in Australian States

In Australia, electricity consumption varies significantly from region to region. Climate is an essential factor in this variation.  

Generally speaking, average electricity usage in Australian states is usually lowest in summer, and the average in spring and autumn is roughly the same—however, average electricity usage in winter increases.

(The data in this section are all referenced to the AER report. Western Australia and the Northern Territory report data using different methodologies, so the most recent figures could not be found.)

(Data Source: Finder)

New South Wales

The average electricity usage of households in New South Wales is about 5,662 kWh per year, with the lowest average in spring and the highest average in winter.

Queensland

Electricity consumption in Queensland is relatively balanced in all four seasons. The average household usage is lowest in spring and highest in summer.

Victoria

Victorian households use an average annual electricity of 4,615 kWh, the lowest of the states. Residents use the most electricity in winter and the least in spring.

South Australia

South Australia has one of the lowest average annual electricity usage, at 4,950 kWh. Like most states, its highest electricity usage is in winter.

Australian Capital Territory

Households in the Australian Capital Territory use an average of 6,407 kWh of electricity annually, with the lowest usage in summer and the highest in winter. Electricity demand in the ACT has remained stable over the years.

Tasmania

Tasmania's climate (temperate maritime climate) directly affects the state's average annual household electricity usage, which is as high as 8,619 kWh.

Northern Territory

According to information provided by Hydro Northern Territory, the average annual electricity usage of residents in the Northern Territory is about 8,500 kWh. The country's hot climate requires a lot of air conditioning, which contributes to the high yearly average electricity usage.

Western Australia

According to the 2017 AEMC fact sheet, the average annual electricity usage in Western Australia is 5,198 kWh.

What Factors Affect the Average Electricity Usage? 

Various factors, such as the number of people, weather, lifestyle, household characteristics, electronic devices and appliances, influence the average electricity usage of an Australian household.

Knowing the factors that affect the average electricity usage of Australian households can help individuals and families make informed decisions about electricity usage and find ways to reduce electricity consumption.

Household Size: One main factor influencing electricity usage is household size—the more people live, the more energy they use. The bigger the house, the more people use appliances, tools, and lighting.

Household Appliances and Devices: The number and types of appliances and devices you use in your home can significantly impact your electricity usage. The more appliances and devices you have in your home, the more electricity you use. In addition, the age and energy efficiency of the appliances can also affect electricity consumption. Older appliances use more electricity than newer ones.

Climate: Australia's climate varies from sweltering summers to cold winters, depending on the region. During the summer, households use more electricity to power their air conditioners to keep their homes cool. In the winter, your home will need more electricity to run the heating equipment.

House Features: The age and condition of your home can affect how much electricity you use. A well-maintained home should require less electricity to maintain interior living, which includes insulation, heating, etc.

Insulation: Old houses need to be better insulated to prevent heat loss.

Ventilation: Excessive ventilation increases electricity consumption and reduces home comfort. Install weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows to prevent drafts.

Heating: Your home's electricity use will be greater than that of a natural gas house.

Lifestyle Habits: Lifestyle habits are also an essential factor in electricity consumption. These habits may include working from home, taking hot showers, spending vacations, and receiving visitors. They lead to higher electricity consumption and higher electricity costs.

How to Calculate Electricity Usage?

Your monthly electricity consumption includes the electricity used to power your home's appliances, electronic devices, HVAC systems, lights, etc. To find out how much electricity your home uses, you can estimate your electricity usage manually. To calculate your average electricity usage manually, follow these steps:

Calculate the number of watts your devices and appliances use each day.

Add up the total wattages you calculated.

Multiply the daily wattage by the number of days to get your monthly electricity consumption.

The following will explain in detail how to estimate your monthly electricity consumption.

Find the Wattage of Your Device

Most devices have a label indicating how many watts they use. If you can't find the wattage label on your appliance, there are a few other ways you can find this information:

Purchase a wattage measuring device.

Look up your appliance model and model number online. Most brands will list the wattage of their products on their website.

Below is also a table showing the wattage of common household appliances. (For reference only, the wattage of household appliances is subject to actual use)

How to Calculate Monthly Electricity Usage

The following section outlines how to calculate your home's monthly kilowatt-hour usage. (The following calculation steps use an example to help you understand the relevant formula)

Calculate Daily Watt-hours

To calculate electricity consumption, you must multiply the appliance's wattage by the hours you use it daily.

Device Wattage (watts) X Hours Used Per Day = Watt-hours (Wh) per day

Example: A 500-watt coffee maker used two hours per day

500 watts X 2 hours = 1000 Wh/Day

Convert Watt-hours to Kilowatts

One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. To calculate how many kilowatt-hours your appliance uses, follow the formula below.

Device Usage (Wh) / 1,000 (Wh/kWh) = Device Usage in kWh

Example: A coffee maker using 1000 Wh of electricity per day

1000 Wh/ 1,000 Wh/kWh= 1 kWh

Calculate Monthly Electricity Consumption

Knowing how many kilowatt-hours your appliances use daily will allow you to estimate your monthly electricity use. Multiply your daily electricity use by 30 days to calculate your approximate monthly electricity use.

Daily Usage (kWh) X 30 (Days) = Approximate Monthly Usage (kWh/Month)

Example: A coffee maker using 1 kWh of electricity per day

1 kWh X 30 Days = 30 kWh/Month

Finally, a 500-watt coffee maker used for 2 hours a day will consume 30 kWh of electricity per month. Similarly, to calculate the total electricity consumption, substitute the used appliances and usage time into the formula.

How to Lower Household Electricity Usage?

If you are concerned about your home's electricity consumption, here are some simple tips to save electricity at home and help you reduce your consumption.

Unplug Devices

Many electronic devices drain power without being unplugged, which is called intermittent or vampire power consumption. So please unplug the charger and device when not in use. You can also use the power strip and switch to turn off multiple devices simultaneously.

Adjust the Thermostat

Home heating and cooling account for a large part of your electricity consumption. Turning your thermostat down one °C in the winter and up one °C in the summer can save up to $100 a year on heating and cooling costs.

Consider purchasing a smart thermostat that can learn about your heating and cooling needs and adjust settings to maximise efficiency.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

Open curtains and blinds during the day to maximise natural light. Natural light creates a better atmosphere and reduces the need for artificial lighting. When using artificial lighting, choose energy-efficient bulbs such as LEDs and CFLs, significantly reducing electricity usage.

Insulate Your Home

Proper insulation is significant for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment and minimising electricity consumption. 

Reduce Water Heating

Heating hot water is another energy-consuming activity in the home. The less hot water you use, the less electricity the hot water system uses to heat the water. Turning your water heater to 120°F (49°C) can help conserve electricity. You can even install a water heater that heats water only when used.

Wash at Low Temperatures

Laundry uses a lot of electricity, but practising smart laundry habits can help reduce it. Use cold water whenever possible since heating water accounts for most of the electricity in the laundry process.

Get Everyone Involved

Reducing electricity consumption requires the participation of all family members. By working together, your home's electricity consumption can be significantly reduced.

Solar Energy Devices

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Solar power systems can sell excess electricity back to the grid and reduce electricity bills. Nowadays, you can find a solar-powered version of almost any household appliance. Using solar-powered electronics can also mitigate such electronics' maintenance and replacement costs.   

Solar energy offers a clean, renewable energy source that can significantly lower your carbon footprint. If you want to try solar power with a limited budget, consider investing in a solar generator first. Here, we highly recommend the Jackery Solar Generator, which combines Jackery Solar Panels with a Portable Power Station to utilise solar energy fully.  

Jackery Solar Generators Explained

Although the typical household's electricity consumption might vary greatly, what if green energy could augment or even replace it? The solar generators from Jackery provide a flexible way to satisfy your daily power requirements. Jackery enables everyone to access renewable energy, which is ideal for minimising dependency on the grid or powering necessary devices to save electric usage & bills.

Jackery Solar Generators offer a stable power source that can help reduce monthly expenses by offsetting the electricity used by household appliances. The Portable Power Station maximises solar energy capture and storage when used with Jackery Solar Panels, guaranteeing you will always have electricity available. Its numerous output connections enable different devices to be charged simultaneously, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Jackery Portable Power Station also offers various charging choices, such as solar panels, carports, wall outlets, and other electric sources, to provide a versatile and reliable energy source. 

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a top-tier portable power station designed to deliver substantial off-grid power, making it an excellent ally for reducing electricity costs. Its vast capacity and reliable output make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to lower their energy usage at home in Victoria.

Expandable Capacity for Extended Power: The 2000 Plus can be expanded with additional battery packs, taking its base 2 kWh up to an impressive 12 kWh. This extended capacity covers everything from short power outages to longer outdoor trips. With an output expandable to 3000W, it outperforms many standard 2 kWh models, powering almost any essential household appliance and giving you greater flexibility.

Built to Last with Premium Safety Features: This model demonstrates Jackery's commitment to reliability. Its LiFePO4 battery has a 10-year lifespan and supports over 4,000 charge cycles. The generator also includes Jackery's ChargeShield technology, which provides 62 levels of protection and ensures safe indoor and outdoor operation.

Quiet and Environmentally Friendly: Designed with ultra-quiet operation, the Explorer 2000 Plus delivers energy without noise or emissions. Whether at home or off-grid, you can use this generator comfortably while reducing your overall energy consumption, making it a perfect addition for environmentally conscious users in Victoria.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

Compact yet powerful, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is a reliable backup for everyday and emergency use. Its portability, power, and efficiency blend make it a valuable tool for energy savings at home. 

Adaptable Backup for Home or Travel: With a capacity of 1264Wh and a 2000W output, the Jackery 1000 Plus supports up to 99% of household devices. It's expandable up to 5 kWh with additional battery packs, offering 1-3 days of power in case of outages. Imagine running essentials like your fridge, lights, and even laptops without using grid electricity.

Fast and Flexible Charging Options: Featuring advanced solar charging, the Explorer 1000 Plus reaches full power in just 4.5 hours with four SolarSaga 100W solar panels. It also supports rapid wall charging, fully charging in only 1.7 hours. This flexibility lets you choose the fastest, most convenient way to power up, giving you quick and reliable energy whenever needed.

Enhanced Safety and Longevity: The 1000 Plus is equipped with LiFePO4 cells, designed to last 10 years with daily use, and Jackery's ChargeShield technology. This combination provides stable power, protecting your appliances from damage and giving you a dependable power source for years. 

Average Electricity Usage FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the average electricity usage in Australia.

1. What trends or changes have been in household electricity consumption in recent years?

In recent years, people have become increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of household electricity consumption. As a result, people are more interested in saving electricity, and there have been many trends and changes in household electricity use in Australia.

People have started switching to household appliances and light bulbs, which help reduce household electricity consumption. In addition, more and more households are choosing cleaner, more environmentally friendly, sustainable energy, reducing traditional electricity consumption.

2. How much electricity do common household appliances use?

Here is how much electricity five common appliances in your home might use per day and over a year.

As seen from the above figure, a heater is a household appliance that consumes much electricity. Running a heater for 4 hours a day will cost $226 in electricity per year in winter.

3. How does the type of house affect electricity usage?

The type of house has a significant impact on electricity usage in Australia. Apartments are generally smaller, so you have fewer appliances and electronics and use less electricity. In addition, apartment buildings have many shared walls, ceilings and floors, which can reduce electricity consumption by reducing heating and cooling needs.

Single-family homes tend to be larger in square footage and use more electricity for heating and cooling. Single-family homes tend to have larger yards, which may require more electricity for exterior lighting and landscaping.

4. Are there alternatives to electricity consumption?

The transition to renewable energy, especially solar energy, is accelerating in Australia. Solar power is a renewable energy option worth considering as it can reduce your home's electricity consumption and costs.

Solar energy systems convert sunlight into electricity through solar panels, significantly reducing electricity consumption on the grid. In some cases, this even allows you to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Combining a solar power system with battery storage increases your ability to be self-sufficient in electricity by enabling you to store energy for cloudy or windless days.

Final Thoughts

Nowadays, most modern homes in Australia have the latest appliances for daily household tasks and entertainment that consume more electricity. Also, your home's average electricity use may differ from other homes depending on where you live and how you live there. Therefore, knowing how much electricity you use in your home is essential to using it efficiently. Paying attention to your electricity consumption can help protect the environment and save money.