Cost of Electricity in 2011
I recently checked the actual cost per kWh of electricity in both the UK and Australia, and found that both countries were comparable, when comparing QLD to Southern Electric,
The Cost per unit was 11.78p in UK and 21.351 cents in Australia. At an Exchange rate of 1.8, the cost would be equal, and with the rate having moved between 2.0 and 1.6 recently, that is near enough an average.
However, there are other factors in the costs, the standing charge for example, and different rates for off peak, so the basic rate isn’t a perfect indicator.
The easy way to check is by comparing actual bills. Dividing the actual cost by the number of units used. That will give us the average unit cost.
My last bill was $579.45 and I used 2,935 kWh so the cost per unit is 19.74 cents. I am in SE Queensland, and we are all electric.
My daily electric cost in the 12 months ended with my last bill, up to 25 Feb 2011, was $5.27.
For comparison purposes, where someone also uses Gas, they should add the electric and gas bills together, to end up with a similar total of power, heating and cooling costs.
What were your last Electric usage figures and costs, so we can really compare the two countries. Please use the comment box below, giving your total units used, the total bill cost, number of days since last reading and indicate your State or County. I will then add them to this chart:
| Location | Total Kwh | Cost per Unit | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE Queensland | 2,957 | $0.1731 | $6.44 |
| Far North Queensland | 4,154 | $0.2076 | $8.99 |
| Western Australia (64 days) | 1,453 | $0.2251 | $5.11 |
| With Solar Panels | Net Kwh used | Cost per Unit | Cost per day |
| SW Western Australia | 1,442 | $0.19137 | $4.38 |
I did the above post in March 2011. That was over 8 years ago.
I said “My last bill was $579.45 and I used 2,935 kWh so the cost per unit is 19.74 cents. I am in SE Queensland, and we are all electric.”
That was 2011. And the bill was for 3 months.
Now it is 2019, and my latest bill is VERY different. I am still in Queensland, but I now have Electricity and Gas. The Gas is for Hot water, and Cooking (stovetop only). My Gas costs have averaged $86 per quarter over the last year.
Based on that cost of gas, then my electric bill would be the about $493 if it was the same as in 2011.
However, my last FOUR electric bills have been $14.03, $106.57, $7.65 and $48.30 per quarter. An average of: $44.13 per quarter.
How?
I have a 3.24 kWh solar panel system installed.
No longer have a teenage daughter at home (so power usage is reduced).
The cost of Electricity per unit, even before the solar power savings, is 20.18 cents. Only slightly more than it was in 2011 (19.74 cents).
Why has my electric unit cost not risen much? Simple… I changed supplier. I found one that offers a 28% discount if I pay on time.