Top 12 tips to reduce your energy bill

Change to LED lights

Did you know that halogen lights can use up to five times as much energy as LED lights? LED lights have a longer lifespan, which can help you save money. By September 2020, all halogen lamps in Australia were outlawed, so switching to LED is good for the environment as well as your bank account. All lights cannot be used with LED: you might have to change your fixtures and dimmers. To learn more about LED lighting installations, book an on-site electrical consultation with us.

Use appliances during off-peak hours

Knowing the details of your electricity plan is important because you may get a lower rate for off-peak usage. Off-peak refers to the times when most people don't use their appliances, usually mid-day or late in the evening. Try to time your dishwashing and laundry machine cycles for off-peak hours if you can.

Energy-efficient appliances

Your home's total energy consumption is directly affected by appliances. Although energy-efficient appliances are more costly upfront, they can save you money in the long term. Look at the energy rating label next time you are looking to buy new appliances.

View appliance settings

Take a look at how your large appliances are set up, such as your refrigerator and freezer. The temperature can be adjusted by just a few degrees. Many people keep their freezers and fridges at a lower temperature than necessary for food preservation.

Turn off the wall

Your appliances will still use power when they are plugged in, even if they aren't being used. When you're not using small appliances like kettles, toasters or phone chargers, turn off the plugs at the wall outlet for TVs, laptops, and gaming consoles too.

Instead of using the AC, use fans

To cut down AC costs, consider getting a ceiling fan installed. These fans are very affordable to operate and are especially useful in spring and autumn, when full-blown AC may not be needed. To help circulate the air in the room, turn the AC up a few degrees.

Set the thermostat or adjust the air conditioner

A simple adjustment of the temperature by 1 or 2 degrees can make a big difference to your power bill. In summer, turn the thermostat up a bit; in winter, down a little. Less energy is used when you stay closer to the outside temperature.

Insulate your house

Insulating your home not only keeps it warm in winter but also helps keep it cool during summer. A fully insulated home can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 40 to 50 percent, saving you money for many years.

Keep doors closed

Your home shouldn't heat up in the sun all day, then have to cool down to 16 degrees at night. Closing blinds and curtains keeps your home cooler throughout the day, and the AC should only be running in the rooms you are in. If a room isn't using the AC, close its doors: your bill will be lower if the AC does less work.

Use Eco mode and cold wash

Use eco modes on appliances as often as you can. Eco modes wash and rinse at lower temperatures, which requires less heat, and a shorter wash cycle uses less water overall. It is also a good idea to do cold washes whenever you can. A hot wash may be necessary from time to time, but not always!

Dry clothes and dishes naturally

You can save a lot of money by skipping the dryer cycle. There's no reason to dry your clothes anywhere but Australia's sunshine: hang them outside, and open the dishwasher door to air-dry dishes.

Get solar

Did you know that around one in five Australian homes has rooftop solar? Generating some of your own electricity means purchasing less from the grid, which reduces both your energy consumption and your carbon footprint. Solar hot water systems are popular for the same reason: water heating uses large amounts of electricity, so it is a great place to cut down your energy costs.

Reducing your long-term costs isn't only about investing in technology; it's about changing habits. It will become second nature to dry your laundry outside and switch appliances off at the wall. Need help switching to energy-efficient technology? Get a free on-site assessment and a quote from All Kind Air & Electrical.