Which appliances drive up your electricity bill the most?

Air conditioners and heaters

Heating and cooling appliances account for roughly 40% of household electricity use, the highest share among appliances. Experts recommend setting air conditioners between 23–26 degrees Celsius, as each degree lower can raise costs by up to 15%, the Energy Efficiency Council said. For heating, the optimal range is 18–20C.

Pairing air conditioning with a fan can also cut energy use. Research by Ollie Jay, professor of heat and health at the University of Sydney, found this method could reduce consumption by 70%.

"If you move air more in an indoor environment, the temperature at which you [feel like you're too hot] is hotter," Jay told ABC News. "So you feel the same at 23 degrees with still air as you will at 27 degrees with air moving, because we're cooling the person, instead of cooling the air."

Home electronics

TVs, game consoles, and laptops may not be major energy users individually, but their combined use can significantly increase consumption. The issue is compounded by "vampire appliances", devices that continue to draw power in standby mode.

Consumer magazine Which? Pointed out that wireless and smart speakers, along with sound bars, are among the worst offenders. Chris Barnes, product category manager at Australian consumer advocacy group Choice, said the most effective way to cut standby costs is to switch devices off at the wall.

"We tend to have more and more devices plugged in or charging nowadays than ever before; routers, phones, and stick vacuums, which all adds up. Think about whether they all need to be plugged in all the time," he said.

A washing machine. Illustration by Unsplash

Kitchen appliances

Refrigerators and freezers dominate kitchen energy use because they run continuously, accounting for about 8% of household consumption, Choice estimated. Efficiency can be improved by setting the fridge at 3C and the freezer at -18C, leaving at least five centimeters of space around units to release heat, and keeping them two-thirds full to reduce the air that needs cooling, U.K.’s energy and home services company British Gas recommended.

Dishwashers, though power-consuming, are generally more efficient than washing by hand if used only when full. For smaller households, Barnes suggested benchtop appliances such as air fryers or microwaves, which use less energy than ovens or cooktops.

Laundry machines

Washing machines and tumble dryers are among the most energy-intensive household items, British Gas reported. Using eco-modes can reduce both power and water consumption, while washing clothes with cold water can save up to 10 times more energy than a warm wash, according to the Department of Energy.

The SA Department of Energy advised households to wash full loads, adjust cycles to match the load, pre-soak soiled items, and select economy settings when available. Drying clothes in the sun remains the most cost-efficient option, but when using a tumble dryer, avoiding overfilling can shorten drying time and lower electricity use.