The secret to saving thousands on your energy bill. Photos: Supplied
Australian’s are getting savvy with their household budgets and this one unexpected move is saving homeowners an average of nearly $3,000 a year.
As the federal government’s National Energy Bill Relief drew to a close- what was only a temporary assist for Australians struggling with energy prices – homeowners are taking action and advantage of another government rebate that will help them achieve lower costs now and for years to come.
Australia is having a home battery boom and it’s no longer driven by a “green” agenda, but by the need to cut down on bills and the extensive savings homeowners can now get through the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Aussies are taking high energy bills into their own hands and taking advantage of huge savings with the government rebate. Photos: Supplied
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More than 200,000 households have installed home batteries since the federal rebate launched, with uptake strongest in outer suburban and regional areas, according to clean energy company Plico and federal data.
The rebate program has been a huge motivator for many households to take the plunge, particularly when it means huge savings on energy bills.
Plico’s installation data shows that in an average household of three people, homeowners are saving an average of $488 on bimonthly electricity bills. That equates to over $2,900 in savings per year.
Plico’s most popular 20kw battery that would usually set you back around $15,000 is now around $9,000 with the government rebate.
Dee Molloy wanted to be able to use her appliances at any time of the day without the worry of big power bills.
Previously she switched to a time-of-use tariff to lower bills, but it meant having to very careful with our energy use.
Dee Molloy has made the switch to installing a battery.
“We wanted the freedom to use the air conditioner when it was hot, not when power was cheapest,” she said.
“Having a battery saves me time and works with my busy schedule, as I can use my appliances when it’s most convenient for me. I’m also happy to be using less coal-fired energy from the grid.”
Before installing her battery in 2023, Ms Molloy as averaging around $200-$230 in electricity bills each month. Now, they’re in credit.
“Between our solar export payments and the government credits, we are in front with our power bill this summer,” she said.
“Our bills are less than $45 a month when we’re not in credit, so we’re saving just shy of $200 a month.
“Much of what we pay is actually the service charge and not our energy consumption. Our energy use from the grid has dropped by 93 per cent, which I am really pleased about.
Ms Molloy pays off her system monthly at around $150 per month, instead of paying an upfront fee – which is still cheaper then what her bills were before the installation.
“We’re using more energy overall and keeping the house more comfortable, while paying far less on our bills.
“We’ve never looked back. During blackouts the battery has saved us … with rebates these days it’s a no-brainer to get solar and a battery.”
CEO of Plico Robbie Campbell said homeowners are taking advantage of the rebate.
“Because electricity costs have increased quite a bit over the last one to two years, people are definitely looking for solutions.”
Plico CEO Robbie Campbell. Photos: Supplied
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He said homeowners can expect to get their money back through energy bill savings within three to six years of installation.
“If you’ve got solar already, you want the battery to absorb the solar during the day, so that the household can use it at night. So effectively, any electricity you’re using from the battery at night is what the customers are saving,” he said.
“Depending on how much electricity they use at night, it can be between a three to six year payback on that battery, given the (battery) prices are so low.”
For Australians who can’t pay for installation upfront, Plico offers a monthly repayment scheme and can get instant savings while paying off the system.
Batteries are saving Aussie households an average of almost $3,000 a year. Photos: Supplied
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“When you finance it, you have a direct comparison to what you are paying for electricity and what you were paying before. Say its $150 a month (in repayments) but you were paying $200 for that bill you can quantify it and say I’m saving $50.”
Plico has recorded a five-fold increase in average battery size between December 2024 and December 2025, reflecting households’ growing desire to store more energy and rely less on the grid, a trend now being addressed through adjustments to the rebate scheme.
Suburbs with families, and two to three bedroom homes, are the most common household and ideal candidates taking advantage of this, according to Mr Campbell.
“Younger families, but even some slightly older parents who have older or adult children who are gaming, on their PCs or watching multiple TVs.
More consumers are taking on solar and battery as a money saving tool. Photos: Supplied
“Early adopters it was more about the green thing, saving the planet, now 95 per cent of our customers say it’s a value proposition.”
These households as well as new housing estates and middle-income households are leading the charge looking to cut energy bills and future-proof their homes.
In Sydney, this boom is being led by suburbs in the Hills District in Sydney (Beaumont Hills, Kellyville, Kellyville Ridge, North Kellyville, and Rouse Hill), according to new federal data and Plico.
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