Audit your home's energy use

A home energy audit is a simple way to understand how energy is used in your home and where small changes could help reduce your bills

It might not be the most exciting task on your to-do list, but taking the time to review how your home uses energy can reveal what's driving your costs and these adjustments could make a real difference. These eight questions will help you get started.

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Quick take: A home energy audit doesn't require special tools or technical knowledge. Most households can complete one in under an hour using everyday observations.

1. What does my past energy use tell me?

Your energy bills can reveal useful patterns. Look back over the past 12 months and see how your usage changes across seasons. Do costs jump during summer or winter? Are there spikes that line up with heatwaves, cold snaps or busy periods at home?

Understanding these trends helps you identify changes that make sense for your household.

You can track your usage over time in MyAccount, or download the Alinta Energy app to check your account whenever your need.†

2. Are my heating and cooling systems working efficiently?

Heating and cooling are among the biggest contributors to household energy use. If systems aren't running efficiently, they can quickly drive up your bills.

Regular servicing, prompt repairs and sensible thermostat settings all help ensure your systems are working as intended — keeping your home comfortable without necessary energy use.

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Good to know: Heating and cooling costs often account for a large portion of household energy bills, particularly during extreme weather.

3. Is my hot water system running efficiently?

If your hot water runs out faster than usual, water pressure drops, or you notice unusual sounds in the pipes, it could indicate an issue with your system — and potentially higher energy use.

The type of hot water system you have also matters.

  • Storage systems heat and store large volumes of water (usually 135-170 litres), keeping it hot throughout the day.
  • Instantaneous systems heat water only when needed, avoiding the cost of reheating unused water.

Because of this, instantaneous systems are typically cheaper to run and won't run out mid-shower.

Hot water systems also have energy star ratings. Upgrading from a lower rated system to a higher rated one may reduce running costs over time.

Usage per dayRatingEstimated Running Cost*Savings per year^
100 litres at 60°C2-Star System$1.89$116.80
4-Star System$1.57
160 litres at 60°C2-Star System$2.52$116.80
4-Star System$2.20
200 litres at 60°C2-Star System$3.07$146.00
4-Star System$2.67

4. Are my appliances using more energy than they should?

Older or poorly maintained appliances can quietly increase your energy use. Regular servicing and cleaning — especially removing dust and debris — can help appliances run more efficiently.

If you're considering an upgrade, look for appliances with a high energy efficiency rating. While they may cost more upfront, they're generally cheaper to run over their lifetime.

You can estimate and compare running costs using tools like the Energy Rating Calculator, and find additional guidance on the Australian Government's energy website.

5. Does my lighting need updating?

If your home still uses older-style light bulbs, switching to LED lighting can reduce energy use while maintaining brightness.

Outside, motion sensors and solar lighting can help limit unnecessary usage, while still keeping areas well-lit when needed.

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Switch and save: LEDs use less energy and last 5 to 10 times longer than halogen light bulbs. Switching can give you a payback time of less than 1 year (energy.gov.au).

6. Where is my home losing heat?

Draughts around doors, windows and vents allow warm air to escape in winter and heat to enter in summer.

Check for cold spots or noticeable airflow and seal gaps where possible. Reducing heat loss not only improves comfort, it can also cut unnecessary energy use.

7. Is my home properly insulated?

Effective insulation helps keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Check what insulation you have in your roof, walls and floors, and whether it meets current standards.

While insulation upgrades involve upfront costs, they can lead to long-term savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling.

For extra efficiency, double-glazed windows can reduce heat loss or gain by up to 30% compared to single glazing, while also reducing outside noise.

8. Is everyone in my home using energy wisely?

Small habits add up. Leaving lights on, running appliances with partial loads, or using energy-intensive appliances at peak times can all increase usage.

Getting everyone in your household involved helps make energy-smart choices part of everyday life.

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Start small: You don't need to change everything at once. Even one or two small adjustments can make a difference over time.

In summary, a home energy audit can help you:

  • Understand what's driving your energy use.
  • Identify areas where energy may be wasted.
  • Prioritise simple, low-cost changes.
  • Make informed decisions before upgrading appliances or systems.
  • Track improvements over time.

After your home energy audit

Once you've completed your audit, focus on the changes that are easiest and most realistic for your household. Tracking improvements over time can help you see what's working and decide where further changes may be worthwhile.

FAQs

Most households can complete a basic home energy audit in under an hour. You can take more time if you want to review specific appliances or systems in detail.

No. A home energy audit can be done using everyday observations, your energy bills and basic household knowledge.

It's a good idea to do one every year, or after major changes such as moving house, upgrading appliances, or noticing a change in your energy bills.

An audit helps you understand where energy is being used, which can make it easier to identify changes that may reduce costs over time.

For larger homes, renovations or ongoing high energy use, a professional audit may provide more detailed insights. For many households, a DIY audit is a useful first step.

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Manage your account and energy usage

Download the Alinta Energy app* to access your energy consumption insights.

†The Alinta Energy app is not yet available in Western Australia.

* Estimated cost only. Actual cost may vary based on usage, appliances and household conditions.

^ Savings calculated using estimated daily running costs multiplied over a year.


Acknowledgement of Country
Alinta Energy acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and conduct our business operations.  We acknowledge the continuing connections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to Country and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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