How to read your electricity bill
Find your unit rate (p/kWh), standing charge (p/day) and actual usage. These three numbers are all you need for our calculators.
Resources
Electricity-saving guides
Short, practical guides to help you understand and manage your energy costs.
Unit rates vs standing charges
The unit rate is what you pay per kWh used; the standing charge is a fixed daily fee, paid even if you use nothing.
Finding an appliance's wattage
Check the rating plate or manual. Multiply watts by hours, divide by 1,000 and you have kWh — then multiply by your rate.
Simple ways to reduce usage
Switch devices off at the wall, run full loads, lower tumble dryer use and check settings on heating and hot water.
Taking accurate meter readings
Read on the same day each month and note the date. Regular readings make tracking and budgeting far more reliable.
Planning home EV charging
If your tariff has a cheaper overnight rate, scheduling charging for those hours can make a noticeable difference.