HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS?
August 2023 in Money Matters
With energy prices increasing by over 25% in the past 12 months, many Aussie households are feeling the pinch in their wallets. But here are some simple wallet-friendly tips that will help you to conquer your energy bills, lighten the burden - and put a smile on your face.
APPLIANCES.
A single power switch left turned on might only use a tiny bit of electricity, but collectively they can account for around 10% of your electricity bill. So, make sure to unplug computers, washing machines, kettles, lamps, and other appliances when not in use.
THE FRIDGE.
As one of the biggest energy users in homes, fridges contribute around 13% of your energy bill. Simple hacks to keep this cost to a minimum include…
• Set your fridge to no colder than 4 – 5 degrees Celsius, and your freezer between -15C and-18 Celsius.
• Cool your food first before placing it in the fridge.
• Ensure your fridge is well-ventilated.
KITCHEN.
When making tea or coffee, avoid overfilling the kettle. Use only the necessary amount of water. For dishwashers, if available, choose the low to medium heat setting (around 50C) to save energy while heating water.
SHOWER.
Water heating accounts for 21% of your energy consumption, making showering an energy-intensive activity. However, by reducing your shower time from the average 7 minutes to just 4 minutes, you can save up to $200 per year on water and energy bills.
WASHING MACHINE.
Save 80-90% on energy costs by setting your washing machine to a cold wash cycle instead of using warm water. Enhance cold wash performance by dissolving powder detergent first or switching to liquid detergent. Opt for air drying your laundry in the sun rather than using a dryer.
DRAUGHT PROOFING.
Use door snakes to keep warm air in, install ceiling insulation, choose more energy-efficient appliances and better temperature selection for heating and cooling.
EVEN TEMPERATURE.
Keep your thermostat set between 18 – 20 degrees in Summer and between 24 – 26 degrees in Winter to get both thermal comfort in your home and reduce your heating and cooling costs. Every degree you go outside this, costs an extra 10%.
WINDOWS & BLINDS.
Being smart in summer opening windows and blinds early in the morning and late evening and close them during the day.
LIGHTS.
Switch to LED lighting for big savings on your electricity bills.
