Households bracing for more energy, petrol pain

Power bills are expected to rise, despite households making efforts to reduce usage and costs. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Many Australian households are bracing for more power price pain even as they take steps to adapt their behaviour to use less electricity. 

Energy prices have been lifting sharply to reflect higher wholesale prices and, according to Canstar Blue's database of electricity plans, the average quarterly bill is likely to go up by $29 to $395.