October 16th, 2026How Upgrading Your Appliances Could Slash Your Bills

New research from energy comparison service Compare the Market analysed the electricity cost of everyday household appliances.

By researching the average yearly cost of using the most and least energy efficient appliances (according to their Energy Rating label), based on typical real-world usage, Compare the Market has revealed just how much the appliance you choose could impact your wallet.

Which Appliances Could be Hiding the Most Value

Often, the cheapest appliances to buy upfront may only have the lowest energy ratings. But being drawn in by cheap purchase costs could be making Australians pay more over time.

Average Cost Gap Between Appliances

Appliance Average National Yearly Cost for Lowest Energy Rated Appliances Average National Yearly Cost for Highest Energy Rated Appliances National Average Price Gap

Pool Pump $674.55 $171.17 $503.39 Washing Machine $433.66 $71.71 $361.95

Fridge/Freezer $211.86 $67.88 $143.98 Clothes Dryer $151.09 $39.49 $111.60 Television $142.40 $24.01 $118.39 Dishwasher $78.08 $27.39 $50.69 Total $1,691.65 $401.65 $1,290.00

Not all households will need a pool pump, but for those who might have purchased one with a low energy star rating, they could see the biggest savings to their electricity bills by upgrading their pool pump. On average, the cost gap sits at $503.39 per year, the highest of all the appliances.

Unlike pool pumps, most homes will have, and regularly use, a washing machine. Assuming you have a washing machine with an 8-10kg capacity that is used seven times a week, yearly costs can vary from $433.66 for 1-1.5 star rated machines, down to $71.71 for machines rated 5.5/6 on energy efficiency. This creates an appliance price gap of $361.95 per year.

Combined fridge/freezers have the next biggest cost gap at $143.98, followed by clothes dryers at $111.60 and televisions at $105.89.

Dishwashers had the smallest discrepancy between high- and low-rated appliances, with a price gap of $50.69, potentially making it less of a priority if you’re looking to upgrade appliances to help cut your bills.

The Appliance Cost Gap per State

1. South Australia

South Australia remains one of the most expensive states for running everyday appliances in your home. Combining all of the appliances in the study, the price gap between the best and worst rated appliances for energy efficiency is $1,754.17 a year. The biggest cost gaps in SA are pool pumps ($687.61) and washing machines ($489.91). While less energy-efficiency appliances are often cheaper upfront, the long-term costs can be significant.

2. New South Wales

Ranking second is New South Wales. When combining the cost of the lowest-rated appliances ($2,113.10) to the highest-rated ($525.35), the resulting electricity bill cost gap is $1,587.75 per year. Making smart buying decisions, particularly if you’re renovating or moving into a new home, could potentially take some of the sting from your bills.

3. Australian Capital Territory

The ACT had the next largest cost gap at $1,515.18. In the capital, upgrading your television could save you $140.09, assuming a daily usage of three hours a day.

Queensland came in fourth with a cost gap of $1,276.97, followed by Tasmania at $1,110.98.

Of de-regulated states in Australia, Victoria had the lowest cost gap at $981.74 due to the state enjoying some of the lowest tariff rates across the nation. For Victorians with a low-rated dryer, upgrading their appliance could save them $84.94 per year, assuming a usage of just once a week. The more frequently the appliance is used, the more apparent the cost gap will become.

The Northern Territory had the lowest cost gap at $972.26, led by the regulated tariff rates in this part of the country.