Victorian households could be losing up to $517 a year through hidden energy waste, with everyday habits and inefficient homes driving up power bills.
Victorian families are bleeding up to $517 a year in hidden energy costs as everyday habits and poorly built homes drive a steady cash drain.
New research from iSelect shows households across the state could be wasting between $158 and $517 a year through avoidable energy use, with routine behaviours adding up to a major bill shock.
Appliances are among the biggest culprits, particularly when left on standby or running longer than needed, while heating and cooling can quickly blow out costs during extreme weather.
RELATED: Viral Aussie cookie empire to open first Melb store
Revealed: Melb suburbs where you can pocket $1m
Allan govt warned: Melb market ‘totally dysfunctional’
iSelect general manager of utilities Julia Paszka said much of the waste was not obvious, building gradually through daily habits.
“The key takeaway is that energy waste at home is mostly made up of small, everyday behaviours rather than big, obvious mistakes,” Ms Paszka said.
“It is not usually something people notice day to day, but across the country it could add up to billions in potential waste.”
iSelect general manager of utilities Julia Paszka said small, everyday behaviours were quietly adding hundreds to annual energy bills across Victorian homes.
Much of this waste is within households’ control, with behaviour playing a major role in overall energy use.
“These are everyday habits, so there is real scope to reduce waste without major changes to the home itself,” Ms Paszka said.
But the issue is not just behaviour, with builders warning many homes are effectively leaking energy.
Builder Mitch Pryor (left) said many Australian homes were still losing energy through poor sealing and inefficient design, driving higher heating and cooling costs.
Pryor Connections director and builder Mitch Pryor said heating and cooling remained the biggest source of energy loss in Australian homes, particularly in older properties.
“For a long time in the building industry, we’ve been a bit blasé with sealing and wrapping buildings,” Mr Pryor said.
“Historically, Australia hasn’t been great at keeping buildings sealed, so those small improvements can make a big difference.”
Mr Pryor said simple upgrades could significantly improve efficiency, especially in older homes where drafts and outdated systems were common.
Appliances left on standby, outdated lighting and inefficient heating are among the biggest drivers of energy waste in Victorian homes.
“Draft seals and things like that are really underrated,” he said.
“If you’ve got old doors with big gaps, those small fixes can make a huge difference.”
He said outdated lighting was another hidden drain, with halogen downlights using about five times more power than modern LED alternatives.
Despite the potential savings, buyers are often unable to prioritise efficiency upgrades due to broader cost pressures.
Convergence Buyers Agents director Sky Hammer said rising ownership costs meant energy efficiency often took a back seat for buyers focused on securing a home.
Buyer’s agent Sky Hammer said many households were already stretched by the rising cost of owning property, limiting their ability to invest in improvements.
“Cost is a huge factor — there are so many other expenses tied to owning property that energy efficiency can slide down the priority list,” Mr Hammer said.
“A lot of the properties we’re buying need $10,000 to $20,000 just to meet minimum standards, so it’s not always something buyers can prioritise.”
Mr Hammer said location continued to outweigh efficiency for most buyers in a tight market.
“At the end of the day, people are still prioritising location, that’s the biggest driver,” he said.
“If buyers can afford higher energy ratings, they’ll look at it, but for most people it comes second to securing a home.”
He said many buyers underestimated the true cost of ownership, often realising the full financial impact only after moving in.
“The biggest mistake buyers make is underestimating the true cost of owning a home,” Mr Hammer said.
Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.
‘Inevitable’: Grim housing crisis warning for Victorians
david.bonaddio@news.com.au
English (US) · 