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Couple in an apartment vs Couple in a house: Electricity Use Compared in Australia (2026)
The same two people use noticeably more electricity in a house than in a flat. Not because of the people, but because of what a house comes with: a tumble dryer, a chest freezer, more rooms to light, a garage door, garden tools, and often a home office. Regulators in Germany and Canada publish flat and house figures separately for exactly this reason.
In Australia, couple in an apartment uses about 5,237 kWh a year (A$152.75 a month) and couple in a house about 5,237 kWh (A$152.75 a month). That is 1.0× as much, or A$0.000 more per month. Per person: 2,618 kWh vs 2,618 kWh a year.
Sources: Australian Energy Regulator, Residential energy consumption benchmarks (Frontier Economics, December 2020), temperate climate zone (Sydney), households without a swimming pool: 2 people. Australian Energy Regulator, Residential energy consumption benchmarks (Frontier Economics, December 2020), temperate climate zone (Sydney), households without a swimming pool: 2 people. Priced at A$0.35 per kWh (AER Default Market Offer 2026–27, 2026-07).
Where the difference comes from
| Category | Couple in an apartment | Couple in a house | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating & cooling | 2,095 kWh | 2,095 kWh | +0 |
| Water heating | 1,100 kWh | 1,100 kWh | +0 |
| Refrigeration & freezing | 508 kWh | 508 kWh | +0 |
| Cooking | 147 kWh | 147 kWh | +0 |
| Washing, drying & dishwashing | 293 kWh | 293 kWh | +0 |
| TV, computing & network | 304 kWh | 304 kWh | +0 |
| Lighting | 314 kWh | 314 kWh | +0 |
| Other appliances | 477 kWh | 477 kWh | +0 |
- The dryer alone can add a tenth to the total.
- A garage freezer is often an old appliance and uses more than the kitchen fridge.
- Outdoor and security lighting runs all night in a house and not at all in a flat.
Only in the couple in a house
- Chest Freezer 203 kWh/yr
- Clothes Dryer 149 kWh/yr
- Desktop Computer 139 kWh/yr
- Outdoor Security Floodlight 101 kWh/yr
- Electric Lawn Mower (Corded or Battery) 44 kWh/yr
- Garage Door Opener 4 kWh/yr
- Printer (Inkjet or Laser) 2 kWh/yr
Only in the couple in an apartment
- Smart Speaker 12 kWh/yr
The same comparison in other countries
| Country | Couple in an apartment | Couple in a house | Ratio | Extra per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | 10,648 | 10,648 | 1.0× | $0.000 |
| United Kingdom | 2,500 | 2,500 | 1.0× | £0.000 |
| Germany | 1,900 | 2,700 | 1.4× | €24.67 |
| France | 3,017 | 4,287 | 1.4× | €21.17 |
| Australia | 5,237 | 5,237 | 1.0× | A$0.000 |
| Canada (average) | 7,417 | 10,750 | 1.4× | C$38.89 |