Target one challenge at a time.

All it takes to improve your energy efficiency is to take on one challenge, and once you’ve done that, you can move on to another.

Some targets are easier to hit than others. The higher the running cost of the appliance – like your air conditioning or heater – the easier it is to make a difference to your bill. 

Here are some examples:

•  Running that second fridge could be costing you a cool $38 per bill. Turn it off.
  
  
• Always waiting until your dishwasher is full before running it each day could save up to $84 per bill.
  
  
• Swap 10 halogen bulbs for LEDs and you could save around $10 per year.
  
  
• Using your clothes dryer just one less time per week could save about $10 per bill.
  
  
• Switch appliances off at the wall. Standby mode can use up to 10% more power.
  
  
• You could save up to $21 per bill. Switch your washing machine to cold washes and clean up the cash.
  
  
• You could save up to $33 per bill when you run your pool pump for two hours less a day in winter.
  
  
• One extra energy efficiency rating star on an appliance could save around 20% on the cost of running the appliance.

Take the challenge and start saving.

Download our challenge checklist here.

Turning off appliances is a good start. Big ones that are in constant use, or for large parts of the day, such as fridges, air-con, heaters, pool pumps, even TVs and games consoles, use a lot of power. Simply using them for shorter periods and set at more moderate temperatures can reduce your consumption significantly. Turning things off at the wall can save more electricity than you think. And switching to newer, more efficient appliances could help you save in the longer term.

Do you know which appliances contribute most to your electricity bill?

 
*Approximate only. The age, model and how each appliance is used will affect actual running costs and how much an appliance contributes to your electricity bill.  

Vampire Power

Old and faulty appliances, and those that stay in standby mode when you’re not using them, add to your electricity bill without you knowing it. Switch them off at the wall or unplug them if possible.

 

Choose the most efficient appliances

It’s estimated that appliances can account for up to 30% of your electricity bill. This includes when they’re on standby and when you’re using them, so it’s worth choosing the most energy-efficient appliances to suit your budget. Look for the energy-efficient star rating.

CHALLENGE

Use our appliance cost calculator to get a more accurate cost of your own appliances and see where you could save.

Click here

In WA, we have very hot summers, yet winter can get very cold. Heating and cooling are often the largest energy cost to your household. The key to reducing your electricity costs is more than simply using them less. If you’re smart with settings and adopt a few new habits, the potential savings could be significant. And there are more appliances to consider – your uses of fridges, dryers, pool pumps, and lighting could all be opportunities to save.

• Air-Con. The ideal temperature is 24oC. It still feels cool. Set it earlier on in the day on low, and it doesn’t have to work as hard. Each degree cooler adds up to 10% to your costs.

• Heating. The perfect temperature for your heating in winter is between 18oC and 20oC. Every degree over 20oC can add up to 10% to your heating costs! 20oC feels pretty cosy when it’s cold outside.
  
  
• Plug-in heaters. A typical space heater can use up to 1,200 watts of electricity an hour, which can really add up. Heating a kid’s room for 5 hours every night costs around $1.70 per day, adding an extra $103 to your electricity bill. When you’re buying a new heater, look for a high energy efficient star-rating option.
  
  
• Pool Pumps. In cooler months, reduce your pool pump time. Two hours less per day could save you up to $200 per year. Keep it well maintained and clean out the skimmer and filter baskets, so it doesn’t work as hard.
  
  
• Clothes dryers. One dryer use per week adds about $10 to each electricity bill. Hang clothes outside when the weather is fine in summer or winter. Or use a clothes rack in a warm room in winter.
  
  
• Fridges. Running that second fridge can cost up to $230 a year. If it’s in a hot garage in summer, it’s working even harder, so try moving it, or turn it off altogether.
  
  

• Lighting. Lighting can account for around 11% of your electricity bill. Remember to turn them off when you leave a room, use more energy-efficient bulbs, or simply open the curtains and blinds to let in more light.

Change your habits.
Don’t just change your appliance use, change the way you do things.

• Keep the cold in and the heat out, or vice versa.
  Door snakes are inexpensive and can help stop air escaping from the bottom of doors.
  
  
• Try using a pedestal or ceiling fan.
  Fans are a much more energy-efficient way to cool you down.
  
  
• Get your heater regularly serviced to keep it running efficiently.
  Even cleaning the dust and fluff from the fan can save on your electricity costs in winter.
  
  
• Pull on your pullover.
  Heaters are great, but see if a good old jumper can warm you up first.
  
  
• Clever use of curtains and blinds.
  In winter, open your curtains in the middle of the day to let in the warm sun. In summer, use your blinds to block out the sun’s heat.
  
  
• Rug up.
  Put on some warm PJs and add a few extra blankets instead of an electric one.
  
  
• Electric blanket on, room heater off.
  Once you’re nice and cosy in bed, you probably don’t need to heat the whole room.

New technology is constantly developing as people seek to reduce their electricity costs and find ways to reduce their carbon footprints. Here are just a few ways the latest devices can find new ways to reduce your electricity use.

• Smart thermostats. These devices connect to many heating/cooling systems through wifi. By phone or voice you can control the temperature. Turn it on before you get home, and you can even track your use. 
  
  
• Motion Sensors. Instead of trying to remember to turn off lights in a room, a motion sensor means the lights are only on when you’re in the room.
  
  
• LED lights. By using significantly less electricity than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, LEDs can cut your electricity costs, and last for ages.
  
  
• Solar lights. Light your pathway or garden by powering them up for free from the sun, and let them turn on automatically as it gets dark.
  
  
• Smart power boards. New power boards can not only effectively turn appliances off at the wall when they’re not in use, but also track power usage so you can see how much it’s costing you.
  
  
• Energy monitoring apps. Mobile apps help you take control of your electricity usage by allowing you to remotely track how much electricity you’re using each month and how much it will cost you. If certain activities or appliances are using more power than anticipated, you can make adjustments to reduce your usage.
  
  
• Energy-efficient star ratings. As new appliances are released, many are more energy-efficient than older models. When you’re buying something new, check out the energy-efficient star ratings. Just one extra star could save you up to 20% on the costs of running the appliance.