Save Money on Energy and Electricity

Ever wanted to save energy and make money doing so? Now is your chance! Follow these easy to find tips on Saving Electricity and Energy and maximise your yearly savings! Remember, follow the ideas below and you could be saving over $1000-$2000 AUD a year!

Cooling

• Don’t leave your air conditioner on the highest setting. The recommended room temperature for summer is 24°C – 27°C. Every 1°C cooler will increase your energy costs by around 10 to 15%.
• Cool occupied rooms and seal off those rooms not in use.
• Turn off your air conditioner for 15 minutes each hour. Or cool your house in the morning and turn the air conditioner off for an hour or so in the afternoon.
• Keep curtains and windows closed during the day to block out the heat, then open them at night to let in cooler air.

Hot water

• Switch off your electric hot water unit if you’re going away for a week or more.
• Set the temperature of your hot water between 60°C and 65°C.
• Or, if you have small children, set your bathroom hot water temperature to 50°C – 55°C to decrease the risk of scalding.
• Installing a solar-boosted hot water unit can save you up to 90% of your hot water costs on a sunny day.
• Installing a AAA-rated water efficient shower rose can result in significant savings on both your energy and water bills.
• Fix that drip! A hot water tap dripping at the rate of 1 drip per second can waste up to $25 worth of hot water in a year.
• Make sure the pipes from your hot water service are insulated to prevent heat loss.

Cooking

• Microwaves can cook food three times faster than a standard oven while using up to 70% less electricity.
• Use small, efficient appliances like pressure cookers and electric frypans which require only half the energy used by standard ovens.
• When steaming, use a minimum of water and keep pot lids on.
• Thaw foods completely before cooking and you’ll save energy and cooking time.

Dishwashers

• Only run the dishwasher with a full load.
• On warm days let nature dry your dishes.

Fridges and freezers

• Set your fridge between 3°C and 4°C and your freezer between minus 15°C and 18°C. Every 1°C lower will increase your energy costs by around 5%.
• Turn off spare fridges and freezers when not in use.
• Don’t allow ice to build up beyond 5mm thickness on the walls of your fridge or freezer. Ice actually prevents the flow of cool air, causing your fridge to work harder and consume more energy than necessary.
• Keep fridges out of direct sunlight and away from stoves and ovens.

Laundry

• Use cold water for everyday washing and hot water for special loads, such as whites and heavily soiled clothes.
• An over-loaded or over-sudded machine uses more electricity and doesn’t clean as well.
• Front-loading washing machines are up to 15% more energy efficient than top loading machines.

Dryer

• Check the weather before you put clothes into the dryer. Remember, the sun’s energy is free.
• For maximum efficiency, ensure your clothes have been well-spun in the washing machine first.
• Clean the lint filter after each use – it speeds up drying time.
• Try not to over-dry clothes and do run consecutive loads. The residual heat will help dry the next load.

Lights

• Normal incandescent light globes can be replaced by modern compact fluorescent bulbs that can save up to 75% of your lighting costs.
• Turn lights off in rooms not being used.
• Install timers, automatic switches and daylight or movement sensors for outside lighting.

Heating

• Install north facing windows to catch the winter sun and reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home.
• Choose the right size appliance for the area you want to heat. Overheating wastes energy, whilst a unit that is too small will struggle (even if running on maximum setting).
• Keep doors to cold rooms, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, closed and use heavy curtains on windows. These can prevent up to 75% of total heat loss from a home.
• Stop draughts by sealing unused chimneys with chimney dampers, sealing gaps around doors, and switching off range hoods and exhaust fans.

TV and computers

• Turn off your television, sound system and computer when no-one is using them.

Energy ratings

• When buying any electrical appliance, look for an energy rating. Energy rating labels must be displayed on all dryers, fridges, freezers, air conditioners, dishwashers and washing machines. A general rule of thumb is the more stars on the label, the more energy efficient the appliance.