Does Working From Home Cost You More On Energy Bills?

Let’s be honest—working from home can be a real blessing. No more traffic jams or packed trains, and your dog gets a few extra cuddles between Zoom calls. You’ve got the flexibility, the comfort of your space, and maybe even a sneaky load of washing done between meetings. But there’s another side to the story hitting many Aussie households lately—rising energy bills.

Energy story April 7, 2025

3 min read

Let’s be honest — working from home can be a real blessing. No more traffic jams or packed trains, and your dog gets a few extra cuddles between Zoom calls. You’ve got the flexibility, the comfort of your space, and maybe even a sneaky load of washing done between meetings.

But there’s another side to the story hitting many Aussie households lately — rising energy bills.

If you’ve noticed your electricity bill creeping up, you’re not imagining it. With more time at home, you’re running more appliances, heating and cooling more often, and keeping the lights on longer than you would on a regular office day. And depending on where you live, your energy costs might already be higher than average.

How much extra are we spending by working from home? More importantly, what can we do to keep things comfortable without the energy bill shock?

It’s More Than Just a Laptop: The Real Cost of Your Home Office — A Energy Compare Tips

Most people think working from home means charging your laptop. But when we crunched the numbers, the story was a bit different.

Here’s what a typical home setup might cost you per quarter:

Does Working From Home Cost You More On Energy Bills?

Yep — around $250 per quarter, just to stay warm or cool for part of the day.

And if you live in an area where energy rates in VIC or NSW are already high, those costs can bite even more.

** This estimate is based on general assumptions and typical usage patterns. Actual costs will depend on your specific energy plan, rates, and how much heating or cooling you use. To get a more accurate idea of your costs, check your latest energy bill or compare energy plans with Sumo.