Smart homes are showing Aussies how much power is used for every flick of a switch, while business dashboards can send a text if your cool room suddenly starts chewing through kilowatts. Today, energy bills come with more details than ever, and government rebates pop up and vanish without warning. Spotting usage spikes on your phone or noticing that your monthly total jumped after adding a new fryer in the café could mean the difference between a normal month and a shocker at bill time.
Tracking energy is for families and businesses keen to avoid nasty surprises. New apps, smarter meters, and clear online tools put you in the driver’s seat. Want to know if the dryer is costing you more than your fridge? Wondering if running heaters overnight is why your store’s bill doubled last winter? Keen to find out if you’re on the right plan before winter kicks in? It all starts with checking your usage.
A bit of energy tracking opens up options—like grabbing the next government rebate, knowing when to do an Energy and Gas Compare, or even catching problems before they blow out into a much bigger headache.
Why Energy Tracking Matters in 2025
Energy costs have stayed high across Australia, and while some government rebates and offers have eased the pain a bit, there’s still a strong push to use less and pay less. Both households and businesses are looking for ways to cut back—without cutting out the comforts or services they rely on.
Why track your energy?
- Spot problems early: Tracking your usage can show sudden spikes, old appliances chewing up power, or habits costing you more than you realise.
- Control bills: Understanding your patterns makes it easier to cut back without feeling the pinch.
- Stay ahead of price rises: When you know your baseline, you can quickly see if a price hike is due to higher rates—or just higher usage.
- Switch smarter: Before you start an energy and gas comparison or think about moving to a new plan, knowing your numbers puts you in the driver’s seat.
What Is Energy Tracking?
Energy tracking is about keeping an eye on how much power (or gas) your home or business uses, and when. You can do it with a smart meter, through your electricity provider’s app or online portal, or even by writing down readings each week.
What counts as tracking?
- Electricity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh)—the units you see on your bill.
- Gas: Measured in megajoules (MJ), tracked with a separate meter.
- Tools: Most Aussies have access to basic tracking tools, but newer smart meters and dashboards make it easier than ever.
Whether you’re renting, own your home, or run a shop, tracking gives you solid facts—making it much easier to compare, change, or challenge a bill.
How Can Households Track Energy?
It’s easier than you think to get started at home. Here are a few simple ways:
Use a Smart Meter or Ask for One
Most homes in metro areas already have smart meters. If you don’t, check with your provider—they’ll often install one at no extra cost.
Download Your Energy App
Providers like Origin, AGL, and Energy Australia all have apps that show your usage in real time or day by day. These apps let you spot spikes and understand how your habits impact your bill.
Check Your Usage by Appliance
Try using a plug-in energy monitor or simply keep an eye on what’s running. Heaters, old fridges, dryers, and even gaming consoles can be hidden power drains.
Compare Before and After
If you change routines—like working from home, adding a family member, or upgrading appliances—see how your usage shifts. A quick check every month keeps you up to date.
Look for Patterns
Notice when your bill jumps? Check if you’re running the heater more, having longer showers, or using the oven a lot. Patterns reveal where the savings can start.
If you find your costs rising with no clear reason, it’s a good idea to Check Energy Australia or another retailer’s website to see if your plan is still competitive.
How Can Businesses Track Energy?
Business power bills are often bigger and more complex. But smart tracking makes a difference fast:
Use Sub-Metering
If you run a café, shop, or office, consider sub-meters for kitchens, cool rooms, or high-usage areas. This shows exactly where the power is going.
Track by Operating Hours
Keep a log of usage during open hours vs overnight or on weekends. Many businesses pay for equipment left running after close.
Install Monitoring Software
Many energy providers and third-party services offer dashboards that break down daily, weekly, or monthly use. These can even send alerts if usage suddenly spikes.
Compare Across Locations
For businesses with more than one site, tracking helps spot problem stores or identify what’s working.
Review Contracted Demand
High-usage businesses may be paying extra for ‘demand’ charges. Tracking lets you see if you’re being charged correctly.
For anyone running a business, it’s always smart to revisit the best business electricity rates every 6-12 months. High usage at the wrong time can wipe out profits fast.
Why Should You Track Before Making Any Changes?
Jumping straight into new appliances or switching plans without tracking often leads to disappointment. Here’s why tracking first is better:
- See Your Real Baseline: Track for at least 30 days to know your real average usage.
- Identify Problems: Pinpoint what’s making your bills spike—maybe it’s the old fridge, a faulty heater, or business signage left on overnight.
- Smarter Changes: Fix what’s wasteful before you spend money on upgrades or plan changes.
- More Leverage: When you do an energy and gas comparison, you’ll have accurate data to get the best plan.
A bit of patience upfront means your changes will actually make a difference.
Daily and Weekly Habits That Help
For homes:
- Use washing machines and dishwashers during off-peak hours.
- Switch off appliances at the wall (TVs, game consoles, microwaves) when not in use.
- Keep doors and windows closed when heating or cooling is on.
- Do a weekly check of your app or bill.
For businesses:
- Set timers for lights, signage, and heating/cooling systems.
- Remind staff to shut down equipment at closing time.
- Review weekend and public holiday usage—often a source of waste.
- Regularly check if your energy rates are still competitive.
These habits can cut bills without cutting service or comfort.
Final Review Checklist
Every month, run through these quick checks:
- Has my energy use changed compared to last month or season?
- Are my bills matching the data from my smart meter or app?
- Did I do an energy and gas comparison in the past year?
- Have I checked for the best business electricity rates if running a shop, café, or office?
- Is it time to check Energy Australia or another provider to see if a better deal is out there?
Tracking and reviewing go hand in hand—don’t set and forget.
Wrapping Up!
Energy tracking is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to save money and stay in control. It helps you understand your habits, fix wasteful routines, and gives you the facts to confidently compare plans or ask for a better deal.
Whether you’re running a busy household, a local café, or a growing business, make tracking part of your routine in 2025. The effort is small, but the savings and control you’ll gain are well worth it.
Start today: open your energy app, jot down your meter readings, or talk to your provider about better tools. And when you’re ready to save even more, don’t forget to do an energy and gas comparison or check Energy Australia for a deal that matches your needs.
