South Australians are being hit the hardest when it comes to electricity costs — and with more young adults staying at home longer due to the rising cost of living, those bills are only getting bigger.
New data from energy comparison service iSelect shows that almost half of Australians aged 18 to 29 still live with their parents, while one in three adults share their home with others.
The study compares the annual electricity impact of low-, medium- and high-usage young adults still living at home. Even at the lowest usage level, an additional young adult consumes around 1,800 kWh per year, costing households an extra $436 annually. Medium-usage jumps to nearly 3,000 kWh and an estimated $698 extra, while high-usage households could see 4,648 kWh added to their bill — a cost increase of more than $1,061 per year.
“With many young adults staying at home longer due to rising living costs or moving in with friends, it’s important for households to understand the hidden impact on their energy bills,” says Julia Paszka, General Manager of Utilities at iSelect.
“Even everyday habits, such as long showers and using a tumble dryer, can add hundreds of dollars a year to your utility bills.”
South Australia currently has the highest electricity prices in the country, at an average of $0.44 per kWh, compared with $0.26 in Victoria and $0.33 in Queensland. That difference can push an average-consumption household’s yearly energy bill to more than $1,000, well above what other states are paying.
High-usage essentials such as hot showers, lighting and kettles can cost parents or live-in landlords roughly $559.42 a year alone. Long showers in particular are one of the biggest contributors — costing the average household around $350 annually.
While small tech items like laptops, headphones and smartphones barely make a dent — usually less than $7 a year each— gaming devices are a different story. Consoles and gaming PCs are extremely power-hungry and can add up to $85 per year to the bill depending on use.
Other common appliances can also contribute more than you’d think. A clothes dryer adds around $18.56 a year, while the increasingly popular air fryer can cost about $56.51 annually per appliance.
The bill shock becomes even clearer when stacked against other states. In Victoria – the cheapest state for power – households pay about $586 per year for the additional impact of one extra adult. That’s around $423 less than what South Australians are paying.
So if you’ve been wondering why your energy bills feel steeper lately, the answer may be right under your roof.
For more info on what your electricity is really costing you, click here.
More News
