As energy prices climb across the country, more Australians are looking for smarter, more sustainable ways to manage their power consumption. One of the most powerful tools in this shift? Automated smart home energy controls.

From real-time energy insights to wholesale pricing integration, this technology is giving homeowners more control than ever—cutting costs, improving sustainability, and making energy management virtually effortless.

Why Smart Energy Controls Matter in Australia

Rising electricity bills and a growing focus on sustainability have made energy efficiency a national priority. Australians are increasingly investing in smart home devices to manage consumption and reduce waste. Government incentives have only accelerated this trend, supporting the installation of energy-efficient systems and solar technologies.

In this context, automated smart controls—devices and systems that respond dynamically to occupancy, usage habits, and real-time electricity prices—are becoming a game-changer. Not only do they reduce bills, they optimise the way we use energy, supporting grid stability and environmental targets.

What Are Automated Smart Controls?

Automated smart controls include devices and platforms that intelligently manage energy use. These range from smart thermostats and plugs to integrated Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS). Here’s a quick snapshot of common technologies:

• Smart meters: Track usage in real-time

• Smart thermostats: Optimise HVAC based on occupancy

• Smart plugs and appliances: Eliminate standby energy drain

• Smart lighting: Use motion sensors and schedules

• Smart heat pumps: Offer efficient, programmable heating and cooling

• Solar inverters and batteries: Optimise on-site energy generation

• HEMS platforms: Centralise and automate control of all devices

When combined, these tools can dramatically improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on the grid.

Jousto’s Approach: Smart, Seamless, Strategic

South Australian company Jousto is leading the charge in integrated smart energy automation. Their approach centres around automated optimisation based on wholesale electricity market signals, offering advanced tools that go beyond typical smart home solutions.

Price-Based Automation

One of Jousto’s standout features is the ability to shift energy use to periods when wholesale electricity prices are low or negative. This is particularly powerful for high-use appliances like water heaters or pool pumps.

Solar Optimisation and Curtailment

For solar-powered homes, Jousto ensures that every kilowatt counts. It automatically redirects excess solar power to appliances or batteries, and—crucially—curtails exports during negative pricing periods. This maximises on-site solar usage and avoids penalties from oversupplying the grid.

Smart Battery Charging & Grid Sell-Back

Jousto also enables intelligent battery charging during low-price periods. When energy prices spike, stored power can be sold back to the grid—offering not just savings, but the potential to earn income from energy storage.

Energy Usage Insights

Real-time appliance-level data gives homeowners and short-stay hosts (like Airbnb operators) granular insights into consumption. These insights can shape smarter decisions and more efficient habits.

Broader Market Trends: What Else is Out There?

While Jousto’s solution is comprehensive, the wider Australian market offers an array of modular smart devices. A review of top Google search results reveals growing adoption of:

Smart Meters

Widely installed across Australian homes, smart meters provide the baseline data for most smart energy technologies. They enable time-of-use billing, track solar exports, and identify phantom loads.

Smart Thermostats

Devices like Emerald’s AC Link can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 23%. Features like geofencing and self-learning algorithms adjust temperatures based on when you're home—and when you’re not.

Smart Appliances and Plugs

Modern appliances and smart plugs can be scheduled to operate when electricity is cheapest. For solar households, this often means running during daylight to consume self-generated energy.

Smart Lighting

Smart LED bulbs combined with motion sensors and scheduling can cut lighting costs by as much as 50%. While lighting isn't the biggest energy draw, the savings add up.

Smart Heat Pumps

These high-efficiency systems replace traditional hot water and climate control solutions. In some cases, families have slashed hot water bills by up to 80%.

The Role of HEMS: Centralising Smart Control

Home Energy Management Systems tie everything together. They monitor usage, apply automation rules, and align device operation with energy tariffs, solar availability, or grid needs. The real power of HEMS lies in integration—it enables homes to behave more like a self-sufficient microgrid.

Real-World Results: What Are Aussie Homes Saving?

Smart controls aren’t just theoretical. Case studies show that:

• A Queensland family saved $200/year using a smart plug to manage gaming console standby.

• A Hervey Bay homeowner cut energy bills by 20% using smart plugs during solar peak hours.

• Households using smart thermostats have seen HVAC savings of 10–23% annually.

• The Daniels family reduced hot water bills by 80% with a smart heat pump.

• Smart LED upgrades cut lighting costs by 50–65%, even for councils and commercial setups.

Savings vary, but consistent patterns emerge: the more integrated the system, the higher the return.

What Sets Jousto Apart?

Compared to the broader market, Jousto’s strength lies in its wholesale market integration and full-suite automation. While many solutions rely on time-of-use retail tariffs, Jousto’s ability to respond to real-time market conditions makes it one of the most advanced systems available.

It’s particularly valuable for solar-plus-battery households, where the timing of usage and storage has a massive impact on bill outcomes—and even income potential.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite the benefits, several challenges still face smart home energy adoption:

• Upfront costs: Devices and installation can be expensive, although rebates help.

• Technical complexity: Less tech-savvy users may find full system integration daunting.

• Privacy and data: Smart devices raise concerns around data collection and connectivity.

• Interoperability: Ensuring all devices work together seamlessly remains a challenge.

The key? Choosing the right mix of controls tailored to each household's energy usage, budget, and goals.

The Road Ahead: Smart, Automated, Sustainable

Looking forward, smart home energy will continue to evolve with:

• AI-driven learning: Predictive energy usage patterns

• Greater solar uptake: More homes adopting solar + battery solutions

• Grid participation: More homes feeding power back into the grid

• Standardisation: Easier integration across platforms and brands

As these trends accelerate, the role of smart automation will be central to creating affordable, resilient, and sustainable energy systems at the household level.

Final Thoughts

Smart controls are no longer just nice-to-haves—they’re becoming essential tools in the battle against high energy costs. Whether through incremental upgrades like smart plugs or full-scale systems like Jousto, Australians now have more ways than ever to take charge of their power bills and carbon footprint.

With the right strategy, any household can benefit from the shift to smart energy—and help pave the way toward a cleaner, smarter energy future for Australia.

🔋 Ready to Cut Your Power Bills?

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👉 Explore Jousto’s smart energy platform to learn more.

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