Nine Easy Electricity Saving Tips
How to save electricity for an energy efficient home and leaner energy bill
The rising cost of power is prompting many Australians to pay closer attention to their energy consumption. The good news is that there are a number of small changes you can make almost immediately that may help with keeping electricity costs down. By adjusting your energy usage habits, you can go a long way to easing the financial pressures that come with managing a household.
Every household setup is different, so your savings may not be typical of the average Australian home. It all depends on your usage habits, the size and features of your home, and how you choose to manage your appliances.
Most often, electricity retailers separate the electricity tariff on your bill into two parts. You may notice ‘fixed rate’ and ‘variable charges’. The fixed rate is usually a daily flat fee that is the cost to supply electricity to your property. The variable part of the electricity bill is your usage, measured in units, normally kilowatts per hour (kWh), recorded by your electricity meter. By being frugal with your electricity usage, you may be able to save some money on your bills.
Learn how to understand your bill and save energy.
Here is a list of electricity saving tips to help cut your electricity bill.
Behavioural changes that can save energy
Mother Nature provides us with plenty natural resources that we can use to our advantage and save energy along the way:
You can choose to use natural light whenever possible. Open windows, curtains and blinds to let in natural sunlight. This may save energy costs.
If you have to use heating or cooling and want to save electricity, you may consider limiting it to the rooms where you spend most of your time. Shutting the doors and curtains in the other rooms and blocking draughts will keep chilly breezes out during winter.
Some electricity meters are set up to offer off-peak electricity. Tariffs charged during off-peak times are lower than peak times. Depending on your meter set up and household, this may be a good way to save energy.
Tackle the biggest culprits to save energy
Proper home maintenance may help save a lot of energy. This is how:
A hot water heater is usually the biggest energy user in a home. It can account for up to 25% of your bill. It may be a good idea to ensure that your water heater is Energy Star rated and if it needs to be replaced, to choose an energy-efficient model.
Another major energy user is your fridge and freezer. The most energy-efficient temperature setting for your fridge is between 3° to 5°C and for your freezer, -18°C to -20°C. Use your second fridge or freezer only when you actually need.
There are so many things you can do to reduce your energy usage, and using the tips above will help get you started. It can be as simple as the less electricity you use, the less your bill is. Once you understand how your electricity bill works, you can begin making easy, efficient changes to your home.