Lesson 01 / Follow the money
Read your bill before you buy anything.
Your bill gives you two useful clues: how much energy you use, and what each unit costs. Open each line below, then try the simple estimate with numbers from your own bill.
Four lines to find
Usage, measured in kWh
A kilowatt-hour is an amount of energy. Check the total kWh for your billing period and any separate peak, shoulder, off-peak or controlled-load usage. Compare the same season year to year.
Usage rate, in cents per kWh
This is the rate you pay for each kWh purchased from the grid. Time-of-use plans can have several rates, so one rate may not describe your whole bill.
Daily supply charge
This is the fixed charge for having an electricity connection. Reducing kWh use does not remove this charge while you remain connected.
Solar feed-in credit
If you have solar, this credit is for electricity exported to the grid. Electricity you generated and used in your home is usually absent from the bill because you did not buy it from the grid.
Independent guide: Australian Government, reduce your energy bills →
Estimate a simple annual bill
Use your average daily grid usage, flat usage rate and daily supply charge. The result updates on this page only.
Illustration only. Assumes the same use and flat rate every day. Excludes time-of-use rates, controlled load, gas, solar exports, discounts, fees and taxes. It is not a savings forecast.
Lesson 02 / Follow the electricity
What happens at different times of day?
Switch between three situations. Solar, batteries and the grid each have a different job.
Use solar at home first
Your bill usually shows grid purchases and export credits, not all the solar you used yourself.
Stored energy can cover some evening use
Whether a battery pays off depends on purchase cost, your use, tariff, solar generation and system settings.
Backup requires the right design
A battery purchase does not automatically mean whole-home blackout protection.
Read more: Australian Government battery guide →
Lesson 03 / Pick a technology
What does each upgrade actually do?
Open the topics that matter to your home. Each one explains the job, a practical question and where to learn more.
Heat pump hot waterMoves heat from surrounding air into stored water.
Unlike a standard electric resistance element, a heat pump moves heat. The Australian Government says heat pump water heaters use about 30% of the energy of a conventional electric hot water system, though real use varies by model, climate and household.
Ask: Is the model suitable for my winter climate, household size, location and electrical setup? Can its operating schedule suit my tariff or solar?
How heat pumps work →Rooftop solarGenerates electricity in daylight.
Solar can reduce electricity bought from the grid when generation and use overlap. Excess may be exported for a feed-in credit. The best size depends on your roof, shading, daytime use and network limits.
Ask: How much will I use myself, and what export assumptions are in the proposal?
Explore solar →Home batteryStores electricity for later use.
Compare usable capacity in kWh with output power in kW. They answer different questions: how much energy it can hold and how much it can deliver at once. Backup during an outage needs suitable design and configuration.
Ask: Which circuits get backup, what reserve will be kept and what written savings assumptions are used?
Explore home batteries →Reverse cycle air conditioningTransfers heat to cool or warm rooms.
A reverse cycle system can provide both heating and cooling. Look at the Zoned Energy Rating Label for your climate and get the capacity matched to the room or home. Insulation, draughts and how you use it affect running cost.
Ask: Is the proposed size right for my space and climate zone?
Explore air conditioning →EV chargingMoves charging to a time that suits your plan.
Home charging can be scheduled for lower tariff periods or, with suitable equipment, excess solar. A dedicated charger must be installed by a licensed electrician and may need electrical upgrades.
Ask: What charging speed will my home and vehicle actually support?
Explore EV chargers →Low-cost efficiency stepsReduce the energy your equipment needs.
Sealing draughts, shading windows and improving insulation can make a home more comfortable and reduce heating or cooling demand. Check these alongside equipment upgrades.
Ask: What can I improve before buying a larger system?
Government quick wins →Lesson 04 / Make a plan
What should you look at first?
There is no fixed order for every household. Choose the situation closest to yours, then open the suggested next step.
My hot water system is old or has failed
Compare the installed cost and likely running cost of replacement options now. Check tank capacity, climate suitability, location, noise, electrical work and current incentives before choosing a model.
Learn about hot water →My electricity bill is high
First compare seasonal kWh and your tariff. Then find large loads and when they run. Solar may help with daytime grid use. Efficient hot water, heating, cooling and simple home improvements may reduce consumption.
Decode your bill →I already have solar but export a lot
See whether useful loads can move into the day. Hot water timers, appliances or EV charging may use your own generation. Compare that option with a battery using your real export and evening usage data.
Solar self-consumption guide →I want power during an outage
Specify which circuits matter and how long they must run. Ask for a battery and inverter design that includes backup, then check the reserve, output limit and what happens when the battery is empty.
See the outage example →My home is uncomfortable
Check draughts, insulation and shade before sizing new heating or cooling. Compare the Zoned Energy Rating Label for your climate and ask for a room-by-room assessment.
Heating and cooling guide →I plan to buy an EV
Review daily driving, parking and charging times. Your switchboard, electricity plan and solar system affect whether a dedicated charger or scheduled charging makes sense.
Home EV charging guide →These are starting points. A useful recommendation depends on your bills, home, current systems, budget and goals.
Lesson 05 / Understand incentives
Check the program before you count the discount.
A rebate depends on the location, existing appliance, new product, approved provider and program rules. Amounts change, so these links take you to the current government guidance instead of a fixed price claim.
Eligible rooftop solar and hot water systems may create small-scale technology certificates, often shown as a discount in the quote. Eligible solar-connected batteries may receive support under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. SRES · Battery program
New South Wales
Household energy saving incentives can support eligible hot water and air conditioning upgrades. Some offers have postcode or other conditions. Check eligibility before accepting an advertised price.
Victoria
Victorian Energy Upgrades covers eligible efficient appliances. Solar Victoria runs separate solar and hot water rebate programs with their own eligibility and application steps.
South Australia
The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme supports eligible activities delivered through energy retailers or activity providers. Ask what activity is currently available for your household and how any discount appears in the quote.
For other states and territories, use the Australian Government rebates directory. Program details should be checked again when you request a quote.
Lesson 06 / Test what you have heard
Tap a statement. See what is actually true.
Energy advice often drops the conditions that matter. These answers show what to check for your own home.
“Solar will run my house in a blackout.”
Usually false. Most grid-connected solar-only systems shut down during an outage for safety. Backup needs an appropriate system design. Ask exactly which circuits work.
Check the battery guide →“A battery always saves more than changing when I use power.”
It depends. A battery can shift solar energy to later hours, but its purchase price matters. First look at your solar exports, evening use, tariff and options to use more energy during daylight.
Read about self-consumption →“Heat pump hot water is the same as electric resistance hot water.”
Different method. A heat pump transfers heat from the air. Conventional electric resistance hot water makes heat in an element. Climate, model and household use affect the actual result.
Compare hot water systems →“Every heat pump suits every winter climate.”
Check the model. The Australian Government notes that not all hot water heat pumps are designed for locations that regularly fall below 5°C in winter. Check the model's operating range and installation position.
Read the government guide →“A higher solar feed-in tariff always means a better plan.”
Compare the full plan. Your usage rate, daily supply charge, time-of-use periods and export credit all affect the bill. A higher feed-in rate can be offset by higher charges elsewhere.
Compare tariffs →“A long manufacturer warranty covers everything.”
Ask for the detail. Product, performance and installation promises may have different terms. Australian Consumer Law rights can also apply separately from a manufacturer's warranty.
Read ACCC guidance →Lesson 07 / Buy with confidence
Questions worth asking before you accept a quote.
The lowest headline price is only one part of the decision. Ask for the full scope in writing, then compare like with like.
Your quote checklist
- What model, capacity, inclusions and installation location are quoted?
- What electrical, plumbing, switchboard or roof work is included? What could cost extra?
- Which government incentives are included in the price, and what eligibility must be confirmed?
- What are the estimated savings based on? Ask for your tariff, energy use and solar assumptions.
- For a battery, what is usable capacity, output power, backup scope and reserve?
- Who supplies, installs and supports the system? Get product and workmanship terms in writing.
- If finance is offered, read the provider's separate lending criteria, repayment schedule and total payable.
The ACCC advises consumers to compare system size, total costs, expected performance and after-sales support. Read the ACCC guide.
Keep learning
Ready for advice about your home?
Bring your bill and your questions.
Tell us what you want to improve. We can look at your current systems, local installation options and applicable incentives, then explain what a suitable next step may be.