Powering extra devices, heating additional rooms and switching on more lights for longer ... COVID-19 lockdown has triggered increased household electricity use.
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Nearly three quarters of Australians (74 per cent) are staying at home more often compared to 2019, according to research commissioned by apparel maker Oodie.
More than 40 per cent of people are concerned about higher energy costs.
Forty-two per cent of respondents admitted already spending more than $300 each quarter on energy, while 20 per cent revealed they spend more than $400.
Australians are expanding the range of activities in their homes and spending more time in them, Melbourne academic Yolande Strengers said.
"What's more, people anticipate the home will become even more important to them as they age, with healthcare and aged care increasingly home-based. That all has consequences for energy demand."
The associate professor is co-author of Monash University's Future Home Life report into emerging technology use and how it's shaping the way we do and will live.
The research presents 45 trends and 10 principles to inform energy planning and forecasting. It involved investigating seven areas of home life where energy demand is focused or is anticipated to increase in future.
These included charging and mobility, cooking and eating, heating and cooling and working and studying from home.
As emerging technologies, platforms and services become part of people's lives, their activities across areas are changing, along with their relationship to energy.
"The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the lifestyle trends we uncovered but many householders we spoke to expect them to continue," Prof Strengers said.
"For instance, people are becoming more interested in ... air purifiers, to remove allergens and pathogens related to bushfire smoke, pets or pollen, or alleviate concerns about the spread of coronavirus."
It's anticipated entertainment, recreation and leisure pursuits will all grow in importance as people embrace technologies like virtual reality, more elaborate gaming consoles and home cinemas.
They are also using more devices simultaneously in different parts of the home, which may increase energy demand for heating and cooling.
Fellow Future Home Life author Kari Dahlgren said innovative, future-focused social science research can help energy planning and forecasting take into account diverse households.
" ... the rate of growth in apartment living, more people working from home and vulnerable consumers' interests should (all) be considered in the development of our future energy system," he said.
Energy Consumers Australia CEO Lynne Gallagher notes households are becoming increasingly diverse both in terms of the technology they have and the way they use it to manage their energy.
"(That) means the timing and level of energy use is also more diverse," she said.
"It's also apparent that the way industry thinks consumers will use technology are not necessarily borne out in practice."
Australian Associated Press
