Rising energy prices driving shift to more efficient homes

While the crisis of widespread blackouts has been temporarily averted, Aussies are still looking to reduce their power bills.

Energy prices have quickly risen to be one of the major issues affecting homes across Australia, with the ongoing crisis now driving changes in how homeowners source their power.

New research conducted by Ray White has shown that an increasing number of homes are being advertised for sale with energy efficient features.

According to the analysis, terms like “solar”, “battery”, and “off-grid” all saw a significant increase in the 12 months to May 2020 and the 12 months to May 2022.
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The energy crisis has caused prices to surge and forced homeowners and builders to think more about sustainable energy sources.

Solar was the most mentioned term used in Australian property advertisements, being used 79,860 times in 2020 to an increased 101,383 times in 2022.

Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee, who authored the report, says having an energy efficient home is becoming increasingly important for Australians looking to help play their part in combating climate change.

“The significant occurrence of this word is driven by significant take up of solar panels over a prolonged time period, at times boosted by generous government incentives,” Ms Conisbee said.

“The term that had the biggest uptick however was “battery”, increasing by 85 per cent over the two year time period. This reflects that solar panels are good for energy efficiency.”

Having an energy efficient home is becoming increasingly important for Australians looking to help play their part in combating climate change.

The analysis results fall in line with the latest research from Finder, which illustrated how energy bill stress had jumped from 20 per cent in May to 28 per cent in June.

Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker showed no reprieve in rising wholesale electricity prices coinciding with the demand for heating during the cold winter months.

According to Finder energy expert Mariam Gabaji, Australians are paying on average $322 on their quarterly electricity bill - a figure that could soon jump by as much as $63 in NSW over the next few months.

Rising wholesale electricity prices have coincided with demand for heating during winter

“Bills have already increased this year and it is only set to become a bigger problem for households across Australia. Rising energy prices and higher interest rates squeezing budgets, together with the winter energy surge could be the perfect storm,” Ms Gabaji said.

“Vulnerable households are doing what they can to offset the increases, but with prices forecast to spike even further there are little cost-saving measures left for them to try.”

According to recent figures released by Budget Direct detailing the cost of living in Sydney and comparing them to the rest of Australia, Sydneysiders pay less for their basic utilities than the national average.

The average Sydneysider pays around $190 per month for their utility bills. (Photo by Ina Fassbender / AFP)

The data suggests the average Sydneysider pays $190 per month for things like electricity, heating, water and waste disposal - lower compared to the nationwide figure of $216 per month.

“Including energy efficient terms when selling a house is rising, in part because more people see it as a way to generate interest in a property, as well as because more homes are becoming energy efficient,” Ms Conisbee said.

“Given that many things like solar panels and batteries can be added to homes at a later date, it is unlikely to be as big a factor as location, number of bedrooms or land size.”
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Originally published as Rising energy prices driving shift to more efficient homes