The simple mistake draining $135 million from Aussie wallets

With energy bills rising and households feeling the pinch, cutting costs where possible has become essential. But one everyday habit is quietly pushing bills even higher: leaving appliances plugged in and switched on at the wall.

New research from comparison site iSelect shows that more than 95% of Australians do this regularly. The survey of over 1,000 people found that on average, households leave 8.5 appliances on standby when not in use.

While it may not seem like much, the energy used by appliances in standby mode is adding up. Nationwide, it's costing Australians an estimated $135 million a year.

Why standby power exists

Standby mode was designed for convenience. It allows TVs to switch on instantly, microwaves to keep the clock running, and smart devices to stay alert for voice commands. In many cases, it's helpful or even necessary - fridges and Wi-Fi routers need to stay on.

But plenty of appliances don't. Older washing machines, toasters, speakers, and game consoles can all be switched off at the wall when not in use. Many people leave them on without realising they're still drawing power.

The most commonly left-on appliances in Aussie homes are the TV, microwave, and washing machine, according to Julia Paszka, general manager of utilities at iSelect.

"While switching off well-used or large appliances at the wall might be inconvenient, doing so could help you save money in the long run."

Gaming consoles are the most expensive to leave on standby, drawing an average of 7.16 watts and costing about $20 a year. Nearly a quarter of survey respondents said they leave their consoles plugged in all year.

Sophie Ryan, comparison expert at iSelect, says phone chargers are another common energy vampire.

"Our survey found that nearly half of Australians don't unplug or switch off their phone chargers when not in use, Ryan says.

"Charging a single phone overnight might only cost a few cents, but if you've got multiple devices plugged in, kids charging their phones and tablets, it really adds up."

Other energy drainers include stereos and smart speakers. Speakers on standby use around 1.7 watts and cost $4.52 annually. Smart assistants like Alexa or Google Home cost around $3.54 a year.

The most common item left on standby is the TV. Fortunately, it's one of the cheaper ones to keep running, at around $1.33 a year. But when added together, these appliances can quietly cost households more than $50 each year.

Some states lose more than others

New South Wales leads the nation in wasted standby power, with households collectively losing more than $48 million a year to these vampirish energy suckers.

Gaming consoles topped the list again in NSW, costing the average resident $20.77 annually and the state more than $14 million in total.

Victoria ranked second, with households losing over $27 million a year to standby power.

Meanwhile, South Australia recorded the lowest total, but the state's households are still spending just over $12 million annually on energy drawn by unused appliances.

When it comes to who's most likely to leave appliances plugged in, Ryan says younger and middle-aged adults top the list.

"Our survey found that people aged 35 to 44 left the most appliances plugged in - an average of 9.4 per person. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, 97.41% admitted to leaving devices on, and for the 25 to 34 age group, it was 98.31%."

By contrast, older Australians are more conservative with their energy use.

"Only 91.45% of those aged 55 to 64 and 95% of those 65 and over said they left devices plugged in.

The types of appliances likely differ too.

"Young people might have more gaming consoles, laptops and chargers, while older Aussies tend to use printers, microwaves and electric blankets more often."

Prepare for higher energy bills

The findings come just as most Australians are preparing for higher power bills.

On May 26, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) released updated Default Market Offer (DMO) prices, which set electricity rates for New South Wales, South Australia, and Southeast Queensland.

From July 1, households on default electricity plans in these regions will face the following increases:

• Southeast Queensland: up 0.5% to 3.7%
• South Australia: up 2.3% to 3.2%
• New South Wales: up 8.3% to 9.7%

The AER attributes the hikes to continued pressure across the electricity supply chain. Other states and territories set prices through their own regulators. You can view a full breakdown here.

Paszka says these rising prices make it even more important to review what your provider is charging and look for better deals if necessary.

Simple ways to cut your winter energy bill

"While every household operates differently, homeowners must understand where their money is going and how small changes to daily habits can lead to savings in the long term," says Paszka.

Fortunately, there are plenty of practical ways to reduce energy usage without turning your home life upside down.

Start by making sure your appliances are clean and running efficiently. A build-up of dust, grease, or lint can force them to work harder than necessary, wasting power in the process.

For example, cleaning the coils at the back of your fridge just twice a year can cut your energy bill by as much as $60. The same goes for checking the seals around your oven and cooktop to ensure they're holding in heat.

It's also worth keeping rangehoods and bathroom exhaust fans clean. A clogged filter can reduce performance and make the appliance use more power than it should.

If you rely on a split-system or ducted heating, vacuum the filters regularly and set your ceiling fan to winter mode. This helps push warm air back down into the room, improving comfort and reducing how long the heater needs to run.

In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace older, inefficient appliances altogether. Money has a helpful guide on how to decide whether it's better to repair or replace. While new models can be a significant upfront investment, the savings over time can be worth it.

Liz Stephens, general manager of public affairs and strategy at Energy Consumers Australia, also recommends a few low-cost habits to help households stay warm and keep bills down, such as blocking drafts, zoning your heating, and DIY insulation.

Standby labelling? 

While there's plenty individuals can do, Ryan says there is also room for improvement in how appliances are labelled.

"There's no standard energy rating for standby power, and we think that's something worth highlighting," she says. "People just don't realise how much power is being used in the background."

"That's why we did this research... to help people take control of their energy use. Hopefully, it leads to greater awareness and maybe even policy changes down the track."

Where to get more help

There's no need to tackle winter energy savings alone. These resources offer great advice:

Energy.gov.au - Government site with advice on heating, appliances, and more.

YourHome.gov.au - In-depth info on sustainable home design and upgrades.

Energy Consumers Australia - Practical winter energy tips, guides, and research.

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