The clocks change, and so does when your household uses the most energy. Here’s how to make it work in your favour.

If you live in NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania or the ACT, the clocks go forward on the first Sunday in October (Queensland, WA and the NT don’t observe daylight saving), and suddenly it’s still light at 7:30pm. Dinner, washing and screen time all shift a little later. When the clocks change for daylight saving, so do the hours your household uses the most energy, and that’s an opportunity to save if you adjust with them.

Key highlights

• More evening daylight means lights and appliances can wait
• Your peak usage window may shift relative to your routine
• Peak solar generation lines up an hour later on the clock
• The clock change is a natural prompt to reset winter habits

What does a daylight saving energy plan look like?

These daylight saving energy tips Australia households can use are about habits and timing, not new equipment. The goal is to make the most of the longer evenings without pushing your bill up.

Your action checklist

• Delay switching on lights until it’s actually dark
• Check your time-of-use peak window against your new routine
• Run the dishwasher or washing machine later in the afternoon if you have solar
• Switch off heating settings that carried over from winter
• Update appliance timers and smart home schedules for the season

Why does daylight saving affect your bill?

Daylight saving can shift when your household’s busiest energy hours fall. While your panels catch the same hours of sun, peak solar generation aligns an hour later on your clock, giving you more self-generated power during late-afternoon household activity. If you’re on a time-of-use plan, your peak window stays fixed to the clock while your routine shifts, so it’s worth checking how the two now line up.

Example scenario: a household with rooftop solar used to run the dishwasher after dinner. After daylight saving starts, they run it mid-to-late afternoon instead, using more of their own solar generation and less grid power in the evening.

Is it doable without changing your routine?

Key takeaways

• Extra evening daylight cuts lighting use during the evening peak
• Time-of-use households should re-check their peak window
• Solar households can shift loads later in the day

Daylight saving energy tips, habit by habit

Habit	What to change	Who benefits most
Lighting	Delay lights until it’s dark	Every household
Peak usage	Check peak window vs. routine	Time-of-use plan customers
Solar use	Run appliances later in the afternoon	Households with solar
Winter habits	Turn off heating and unused-room lights	Every household
Timers & smart home	Update schedules for the season	Smart home users

Daylight saving: what’s next?

Use the clock change as a simple reminder each year to check your appliance timers, your retailer plan and any smart home settings, so they reflect the season you’re actually in. Small time shifts can add up to real energy savings.

About CovaU Energy

CovaU Energy is a 100% Australian-owned company providing electricity and gas to homes and businesses across Australia. We offer competitive energy plans, top-rated 24/7 customer service, and no lock-in contracts. We also have incredible rewards for our new and existing customers. For more information about our electricity and gas plans, call 1300 111 688 to talk to our energy specialists or request a quote for the rates in your area. You may also compare plans and sign up here directly.