Receiving the dreaded electricity bill in the mail can be a pain-point for Aussie households. Making an extra effort to switch off the lights is one way to save a few dollars, but getting the whole family involved may help to reduce the overall cost significantly. Not only is this good for the wallet, but doing so will also teach kids how to protect the environment through being more energy-savvy. Here are six lesser-known tips that the whole family can work on to reduce your household electricity usage.
Saving electricity at home tip #1 – Upgrade your appliances.
This spending may seem counter-intuitive to cutting back on costs at first, but it will shave dollars off your electricity bill in the long run. Old appliances are often big energy consumers, which is why they are slapped with a low energy star rating to warn consumers of their inefficiencies. To estimate how much your appliance is costing based on energy star rating, multiply the number of kilowatt-hours a year (the number on the energy stat label) by your electricity rate. For example, a TV with a seven-star label of 213 kWh a year on a rate of 28.55 cents can cost around $61 a year to run, compared with $148 for one with a three-star label.[1]
Saving electricity at home tip #2 – Check your fridge seal.
If you’ve got an old fridge, you might want to check that the seal is still intact, as small leaks can cause the refrigerator to expend more energy trying to keep cool. Test the theory by putting a banknote in the door – if you can tug it out, then the seal isn’t doing its job. Try replacing the seal to prevent those unnecessary extra dollars creeping onto your bill. Another tip is to use your fridge to thaw frozen food before cooking it to reduce the time required in the oven or microwave.
Saving electricity at home tip #3 – Zap your food in the microwave.
Not only are microwaves faster, but they also use less than half the energy of an oven or stovetop. Consider using the microwave next time you’re heating a meal, cooking eggs or steaming veggies. Be sure to regularly clean the microwave and cover items when in use – because a build-up of food particles can prevent the door from sealing properly, which will waste energy. Getting into the habit of switching it off at the wall will also help cut back on costs since powering off is still more energy efficient than standby mode.
Saving electricity at home tip #4 – Get the setting right on your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner has to work too hard to achieve its set temperature – setting the temperate too cold – you’ll notice a bigger energy bill. Try not to set the thermostat less than eight degrees above or below the outside temperature to help conserve power. Another tip is to consider setting a timer on your air-conditioner, so it isn’t running all night long but switches off automatically while you’re asleep.
Saving electricity at home tip #5 – Recruit your curtains for insulation.
Did you know that up to 40 per cent of warmth in your house can escape through windows?[2] Using your curtains to help insulate your home all-year-round can help ease the strain on your air conditioning system and save on your overall bill. In winter, utilise the warmth of the sun by opening curtains in the middle of the day but closing them before it gets dark to help trap in the heat. Then in summer, close the curtains during the hottest part of the day, so then once the sun goes down, you can open them up again and crack the windows to let a fresh breeze blow inside.
Saving electricity at home tip #6 – Turn off the hot water system when you don’t need it.
Using hot water for washing clothes, dishes and showering all adds up to a significant portion of energy usage. Try washing clothes on a cold cycle and only when it’s full – and only run the dishwasher on full too. Getting everyone in the house to stick to shorter shower times and installing a low-flow showerhead can also help. However, some hot water systems will continue to heat water even when it’s not in use, so switching it off entirely when you go away will ensure it’s not racking up your bill while you’re gone.
Saving electricity at home tip #7 – Switch off and switch up your lighting.
Switching off the light when you’re not in the room is one of the easiest steps but consider switching to LED bulbs to avoid bill shock. They’re a bit more pricey upfront, but they use 75 per cent less energy and last five to 10 times longer than regular halogen bulbs.[3] Another idea is to use ‘task lighting’ – specific for the activity you’re working on – instead of using a ceiling light all the time. For instance, get the kids a bedside and desk lamp to use when they’re reading or drawing. For your bathrooms, try lighting a scented candle to create a gentle glow instead of turning the lights on.
Consider using these tips and tricks to help cut back on your energy usage at home if you’re looking to reduce your overall consumption. Every little bit counts and can help shave dollars off your bill next time it comes around.
[1] Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources https://www.energy.gov.au/households/energy-rating
[2] Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources https://www.energy.gov.au/household-guides/reduce-energy-bills
[3] Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources https://www.energy.gov.au/households/lighting
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