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In 2025, rising energy prices in Australia have made improving home efficiency more important. Households across the country are experiencing double-digit percentage increases in electricity costs, putting pressure on budgets and sparking demand for smarter, greener living.
Prioritising sustainability is important for conserving natural resources and preserving our environment, but for many in their day-to-day lives, energy conservation is done more as a means of cost savings than to make a positive impact. Our energy consumption is one of - if not the largest - utility costs at home, and by reducing unnecessary usage and making some simple changes, we can improve energy efficiency at home and lower our environmental impact.
We’ll be exploring how you can improve energy efficiency at home with simple changes, how you can leverage technology to make your home more efficient, and why your community should partner with Altogether Group.
When looking to improve energy efficiency in the home, there are various ways of doing so, from choosing energy-efficient bulbs to purchasing appliances with the highest energy rating. Typically, products will be rated between 1 and 6 stars, but with the advancement of technology, some products with a super-efficiency rating can go as high as 10 stars. Depending on the region you live in, you can also find Zoned Energy Rating labels that reflect the seasonal efficiency of use in Australia’s three distinct climate zones. As each additional star reflects less energy consumption per year, look to get products with as many stars as possible.
Purchasing efficient washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and air conditioning units, for example, can drastically reduce energy wastage and improve your energy efficiency. Cooling and heating your home demands a lot of energy, so if you are looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency, addressing any leakage from windows and doors - for example - can better insulate your property, and reduce the amount of time that an air conditioner or heater needs to be on for. Additionally, you can utilise blinds to help keep heat in or out, reducing the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature at home.
Energy efficiency is more important than ever in 2025 due to rising energy prices across Australia and increasing demand for sustainable living. By reducing energy and water use, households can lower bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and future-proof their homes.
Water prices in Sydney are rising due to infrastructure upgrades, population growth, and the impacts of climate change. Efficient water usage and smart monitoring systems can help households better manage rising costs.
Smart water solutions use digital meters and data analytics to monitor water usage in real time. These systems can detect leaks, highlight high-consumption behaviours, and help households adjust usage to reduce water bills, especially helpful as Sydney water prices continue to rise.
Technology has come a long way in improving energy efficiency, and can now play a large part in helping you to improve energy efficiency at home. Smart meters can offer real-time data on your energy usage, which can identify areas for improvement with adjustments to lower consumption. By pinpointing where energy is wasted, cost-effective solutions can be implemented, whether that is using smart power strips or bulbs that can be scheduled to turn off automatically, or motion sensors that only activate when someone is in the room.
In 2025, these top technologies are helping households dramatically improve efficiency:
Solar: Capture and store energy for use during peak periods or outages
Heat pump hot water systems: Use up to 70% less energy than traditional electric models
Smart thermostats and sensors: Optimise heating/cooling based on occupancy and weather
Appliances with delay/start features: Run during off-peak periods to cut costs
Smart water metering: Monitor water use in real time to identify leaks and reduce waste
As water prices in Sydney continue to rise due to infrastructure upgrades and climate pressures, adopting technologies such as smart water meters has become a practical way for residents to track usage, reduce waste, and manage costs.
Energy efficiency begins with awareness. Understanding how and when you use energy and water is key to changing behaviour and reducing waste.
At Altogether, we’re seeing growing interest in:
Using dashboards and smart meters that track daily consumption
Community education programs focused on smart appliance use
Residents in embedded networks using real-time insights to shift demand
Our tools empower residents with the data they need to make smarter, more sustainable choices, which is especially important as water prices in Sydney and other capital cities are forecast to rise in coming years.
At Altogether Group, we are a leading provider of embedded network solutions in Australia, helping communities maximise energy efficiency. By purchasing electricity in bulk for an entire community, better rates can be negotiated, which can be passed onto residents. Supporting our embedded energy networks, we offer smart metering that offers residents insights into energy efficiency, with suggestions on how to improve it. Working together with developers, strata managers and local councils, Altogether is helping create sustainable, net zero-ready communities that support long-term efficiency goals.
Maximising energy efficiency in communities requires effort from all residents, and by building awareness, embracing technology, and forging strong partnerships with energy providers, you can improve energy efficiency at home, and communities can save money by preventing energy wastage whilst building a more sustainable future.
If you are a developer or strata manager who wants to learn more about how we are helping to build sustainable communities with embedded energy networks or how our utility services can benefit your community, get in touch with us today.
As utilities and infrastructure costs continue to rise, future-proofing your home is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity.
The next wave of home efficiency will include:
Time-of-use energy plans that reward off-peak usage
Home automation integrations across lighting, appliances, and HVAC
Broader adoption of smart water and recycled systems
A continued push toward zero-discharge wastewater solutions
Altogether Group will remain at the forefront of these innovations, helping Australian households navigate rising costs and live more sustainably.
At Altogether, we deliver reliable, localised essential services to over 500 communities across Australia. From world-leading recycled water systems to efficient embedded energy networks in high-rise communities, and smart grids in small communities, we're determined to do the right thing by our customers, and by the planet. As a multi-utility service provider, it’s our mission to make the world a brighter place, and we do that by offering sustainable power, water and data services.
