<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Power bills have officially knocked groceries off the top spot as Australia's biggest cost-of-living headache.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Research from comparison site iSelect shows 86 per cent of Australians worry about energy bills, with 57 per cent naming electricity as their top expense - outpacing groceries (52 per cent) and transport (44 per cent).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Comparison expert Sophie Ryan says electricity remains at the forefront of people's minds as they juggle ongoing financial pressure.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-10-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/98a0862e-af66-442c-a232-f61a1ac9df60" target="_blank" title=" Israel condemned for Lebanon attacks"><strong><span>Israel condemned for Lebanon attacks</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She notes many families now make deliberate choices about daily power use, with small adjustments making a difference over time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're seeing a return to some very practical, low-cost solutions. Many people are layering clothing, using blankets or being more selective about when they turn the heater on, rather than relying on heating throughout the day," she tells </span><a href="http://nine.com.au/"><span>nine.com.au</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The small yet widespread changes point to a growing effort to claw back control over one of the few costs people feel they can influence.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/energy-bills-cost-of-living-groceries-heaters-winter-australia/a502640a-dbf5-4f3e-911c-79bb7954d69d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ryan also says that comparing plans is one of the simplest ways to reduce costs, but it's often delayed or overlooked.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Latest numbers from the ACCC show 73 per cent of people with the potential to switch continue to pay more than they need to for electricity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If you're in that majority, it might be time to compare plans. On average, households that had been with the same provider for three or more years paid $221 more than people on new retailer offers," she explains.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/australia-oil-crisis-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-lands-in-singapore-on-mission-to-cement-oil-supply/0e9b8d55-8bc1-4e4b-a86a-d64af25b635a" target="" title="PM lands in Singapore on mission to cement fuel supply"><strong><span>PM lands in Singapore on mission to cement fuel supply</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For those willing to take a closer look, there are practical ways to ease the pressure without overhauling daily routines, according to iSelect.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Default market offers aren't always the most competitive, meaning households who take the time to compare plans may find better value elsewhere.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's also worth keeping an eye on your plan over time. Retailers are required to flag changes to rates or expiring discounts, and those moments can serve as a useful prompt to reassess whether you're still getting a good deal.</span></div></div><div class="player__video-container"><img alt="" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/ldQwLTOr8j2oyJZh8aaqj4g-H6A=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2Fvms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F2025%2F10%2F725414%2Fvdf-crtgwf.png"/></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Payment structure can make a difference too, with some providers allowing bills to be broken into smaller, more manageable instalments across the year – helping smooth out seasonal spikes and reduce the shock of a large quarterly bill.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Savings may also come from how you pay – such as on-time payments, online account management, or direct debit – though these offers may expire after a year or two.   </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The most important tip, however? Shop around.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>