Which appliances cost the most to run?
Not all appliances are equal. A few 'big hitters' dominate your bill, while many everyday gadgets cost almost nothing. Knowing the difference tells you where to focus.
'How much does it cost to run my...'
This is one of the most-asked questions in Australian energy. The answer depends on three things: how much power (kW) the appliance draws, how many hours per day it runs, and what you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The tables below use a typical Australian residential rate of 30c/kWh and realistic daily usage hours for each appliance.
How to read the table
The big hitters
These are the appliances that move the needle on your bill. If you’re looking to cut costs, start here.
High-consumption appliances
| Appliance | Power (kW) | Hours/day | Daily cost | ~Quarterly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner (reverse cycle) | 2.5 | 4 | $3.00 | $270 |
| Electric heater (bar / fan) | 2 | 5 | $3.00 | $270 |
| Pool pump | 1.5 | 6 | $2.70 | $243 |
| Oven (electric) | 2 | 1 | $0.60 | $54 |
| Clothes dryer | 2.4 | 1 | $0.72 | $65 |
| Dishwasher | 1.8 | 1 | $0.54 | $49 |
Air conditioner (reverse cycle)
Heating and cooling is the number one energy cost in most Australian homes. A moderate-sized split system running 4 hours on a hot day dominates the bill.
Electric heater (bar / fan)
Portable electric heaters are cheap to buy but expensive to run. Five hours of a 2kW heater in winter costs more than most people expect.
Pool pump
Pool pumps typically run 6-8 hours per day. They are one of the biggest background loads in houses that have them, often adding $80-120 per quarter.
Oven (electric)
Ovens draw a lot of power but most households only run them for an hour or so per day. The daily cost is moderate because the duration is short.
Clothes dryer
A single dryer cycle uses as much electricity as running 240 LED lights for an hour. On sunny days, a clothesline is free.
Dishwasher
Most of a dishwasher's electricity goes to heating water. Running it on a cold-water or eco cycle, and during off-peak hours, can noticeably reduce costs.
The background runners
These appliances use relatively little power individually, but they run for long hours or around the clock. They add up — but they’re usually not where the big savings are.
Low-to-moderate consumption appliances
| Appliance | Power (kW) | Hours/day | Daily cost | ~Quarterly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge / freezer | 0.15 | 24 | $1.08 | $97 |
| Washing machine | 0.5 | 1 | $0.15 | $14 |
| Television | 0.1 | 5 | $0.15 | $14 |
| LED lights (10 bulbs) | 0.1 | 6 | $0.18 | $16 |
Fridge / freezer
Fridges cycle on and off, averaging about 150W. They run 24/7, so over a quarter they add up — but there's not much you can do except buy an efficient model.
Washing machine
Most of a washing machine's energy goes to heating water. Cold washes cut the energy use dramatically — modern detergents work well in cold water.
Television
Modern LED/OLED TVs use very little power. Even five hours of watching costs only a few cents. Standby power is negligible on newer models.
LED lights (10 bulbs)
Ten LED bulbs running for six hours costs about 18 cents. This is one area where Australia's switch from halogens has genuinely cut household costs.
Putting it all together
A typical Australian household uses around 15-20 kWh per day. At 30c/kWh, that’s roughly $4.50 to $6.00 in usage charges per day, plus the daily supply charge (usually 80c to $1.20/day). The biggest leverage is almost always in heating, cooling, and hot water — those three loads alone can account for 50-70% of a household’s total usage.
The 80/20 rule
Why it matters
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Knowing which appliances dominate your usage tells you exactly where to focus — and just as importantly, where not to bother. It also helps you evaluate whether a tariff switch, solar, or a battery would actually pay off for your household.
Next step
Now that you know which appliances cost the most, the next question is when you use them — and why that matters. See how usage, solar, and prices move through a day →