Discover how actions like appliance use, air conditioning, and cooking habits shape energy bills. Learn tips to improve efficiency and compare energy plans today.
Published on 30/04/2025
By Pallav Verma
Energy Comparison
With an increasing number of Australians opting for life in high-rise apartments, the way people consume energy in these spaces is attracting growing attention. From the design of the building itself to daily habits like cooking, laundry, and temperature control, resident behaviour is a significant factor influencing energy usage patterns and overall efficiency.
Understanding these patterns doesn't just help reduce individual bills; it shapes the future of energy policies, apartment designs, and technologies geared toward sustainable living. This article unpacks key behaviours that impact energy usage, highlights the findings of Australia's biggest apartments energy study, and offers actionable tips to enhance energy efficiency in your apartment. Whether you're looking to compare energy providers, rethink your daily habits, or discover how to save, this guide has you covered.
The Australian government and CSIRO's Apartment Energy Behaviour Study, one of the most extensive research projects on apartment living, aims to shed light on how energy is consumed across the country. With over 430 apartments participating in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, south-east Queensland, and Darwin, this study provides a granular understanding of the unique energy challenges faced by apartment dwellers.
Modern high-rise living comes with a unique energy footprint. Apartments have smaller spaces, shared resources, and diverse behaviours among residents. These factors underscore the need to rethink traditional energy practices to foster a future that's cost-effective and energy-efficient.
The actions of individual apartment residents significantly affect energy usage. Seemingly small habits can collectively make a difference on energy bills as well as environmental impact. Here are seven key behaviours influencing energy consumption in high-rise apartments:
The type and frequency of appliance use directly correlate with energy costs. Using energy-intensive appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and ovens during peak hours can lead to higher energy usage. Many residents (unintentionally) ignore off-peak hours that could save on costs.
Actionable Tip: Use appliances like washing machines and ovens during off-peak energy hours to reduce costs. Check with your energy provider for peak and off-peak time details.
Improper use of lighting, especially with non-LED bulbs, consumes higher electricity. Apartment dwellers often leave lights on in rooms that are unoccupied for long periods.
Actionable Tip: Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs and turn off lights in unoccupied areas. Use smart plugs or motion-sensor lighting to automate this process.
Heating and cooling systems are the highest energy consumers in Australian households, but this is especially true in apartments where natural light or ventilation may be limited.
Actionable Tip: Set thermostats between 22-24°C in summer and 18-20°C in winter for efficiency. Seal windows and doors properly to keep temperatures stable and reduce energy usage.
Hanging wet laundry indoors may result in residents frequently resorting to electric dryers, particularly during colder months or in urban apartments with no balcony access.
Actionable Tip: Where possible, air-dry clothes on balconies or invest in an indoor drying rack to decrease reliance on electric dryers.
Many apartment residents unknowingly lose energy efficiency by poorly managing their windows and blinds. For example, leaving blinds shut during the day can trap heat, increasing the reliance on air-conditioning.
Actionable Tip: Open blinds during cool mornings for fresh air and close them during hotter hours to keep interiors cool without overusing air conditioning.
Many high-rise complexes use shared facilities, such as pools, gymnasiums, and communal lighting. The combined use of these shared spaces contributes to overall building energy consumption.
Actionable Tip: Advocate for energy-efficient upgrades, such as solar-powered lights or motion sensors, in shared spaces. Speak to building managers about conducting a compare energy plans exercise to choose cost-effective utilities for the complex.
Cooking contributes to energy usage, especially when large appliances like ovens and stovetops are left operating for extended periods.
Actionable Tip: Use small, energy-efficient appliances like air fryers and pressure cookers for quicker cooking times. Ensure all appliances are turned off at the source after use.
While resident behaviour plays a critical role in managing energy consumption, equally essential is the role of technology and energy providers. Smart technologies and responsible energy plans are enablers of energy efficiency.
The proliferation of smart home devices, such as energy monitors and programmable thermostats, empowers residents to monitor and control their energy consumption in real-time. Devices provided in studies like the CSIRO Apartment Energy Behaviour Study enable households to adopt more efficient practices through feedback and usage analysis.
Smart Device Tip: Use energy management apps or smart plugs for detailed, actionable insights into daily electricity use patterns.
Energy pricing and plans can significantly affect your monthly bills. Residents who regularly compare energy providers benefit from finding packages that align with their consumption patterns. Conducting a gas electric comparison ensures you're not paying extra for mismatched plans.
Pro Tip: Use services that allow you to compare energy plans and manage your billing more effectively. The ideal choice can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
Building managers also play an essential role. Green initiatives such as solar PV installations, energy-efficient elevators, and sustainable waste management amplify results from individual efforts.
Building Advisor Tip: Advocate for collective gas elec comparison within apartments. Switching providers as a building complex can lead to substantial cost reductions for common areas.
The Apartment Energy Behaviour Study is opening doors to crucial conversations about energy usage in Australian high-rise living. By paying attention to behaviour, integrating modern tools, and making informed decisions about energy providers, residents are paving the way for sustainable living.
The findings from initiatives like this study will go on to guide energy-efficient technologies, new apartment designs, and updated government energy policies. With a collective commitment to mindful energy usage, Australians will lead the way in creating high-rise spaces that aren’t just modern and comfortable but also eco-friendly and cost-efficient.
Energy efficiency begins with informed choices. Start today by analysing your habits, exploring smart technologies, and completing a quick elec and gas comparison to find the ideal rates and services for your household.
For expert advice and hassle-free tools to compare energy providers, ensure you're not overpaying. Every small change you make today contributes to a greener, smarter tomorrow. Let's make high-rise living energy-savvy, one apartment at a time!
