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Retired couple at home all day vs Couple in a house: Electricity Use Compared in Australia (2026)
Two people at home all day use more electricity than the same two people who are out at work, and the official benchmarks do not separate the two. The appliances are identical; the hours are not. Daytime TV, the kettle several times a day, lights on in winter afternoons, and a warmer house are where the difference comes from.
In Australia, retired couple at home all day 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 | Retired couple at home all day | 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 |
- Hours drive this comparison, not devices: a TV on for eight hours costs as much as a console habit.
- If heating is electric, daytime heating in winter is the single largest difference.
- An electric blanket or heated throw in the evening is far cheaper than heating the room.
Only in the couple in a house
- Desktop Computer 139 kWh/yr
- Hair Dryer 99 kWh/yr
- Computer Monitor 28 kWh/yr
- Streaming Stick or Box 2 kWh/yr
- Printer (Inkjet or Laser) 2 kWh/yr
Only in the retired couple at home all day
- Electric Blanket 385 kWh/yr
- Slow Cooker 27 kWh/yr
The same comparison in other countries
| Country | Retired couple at home all day | 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 | 2,700 | 2,700 | 1.0× | €0.000 |
| France | 4,287 | 4,287 | 1.0× | €0.000 |
| Australia | 5,237 | 5,237 | 1.0× | A$0.000 |
| Canada (average) | 10,750 | 10,750 | 1.0× | C$0.000 |