With prices soaring everywhere, let's take a look at how we can bring that electricity bill down and save some casholas.
From the 1st of July this year, Australia’s three biggest energy retailers (Origin, AGL, and EnergyAustralia) confirmed electricity price hikes of up to 13.5%. This means average household bills will increase between $31 to $261 per annum. 😭
Who knew flipping a light switch could start feeling like a financial decision?
And while the Labor government is giving each Aussie household a $75 per quarter electricity bill rebate, many of us are still bracing for a dent in the bank account this winter.
So we’ve consulted the experts and got five tips to get you through the chilly weather and help you save on your electricity bill.
If you haven’t already, switch up the light bulbs in your house with energy-efficient globes. These can save you up to 80% on your lighting costs. They use less power, and they last longer.
Oh.. and if you don’t want to use them - you can also save on lighting by making the most of mother nature’s light bulb.
You’re probably already in the habit of switching off lights whenever you leave a room (we hope). But what about appliances?
Did you know that turning off your appliances at the wall when they’re not in use actually saves you on your electricity bill?
The most energy consuming devices are your TV and white goods like washing machine, microwave, clothes dryer. You can actually turn these devices off at night or when no one’s home.
And don’t forget your gaming consoles because those things are major power-suckers.
When these are plugged in but not in use, it’s called ‘standby power’.
And while it's not going to make you rich, standby power can account for more than 10% of your household electricity use - and it's better for the environment.
While it’s important to be hygienic, let’s be honest, there’s no rush to get it done today when your machine is half-full. Try to wait until your machine is totally full before you start a washing cycle or share the load with a partner or housemate. Less cycles = lower energy bill.
Second, let’s talk warm water.
It’s actually a myth that all your clothes need to be washed in warm water to be properly clean and looked after. Washing on cold can not only help your clothes last longer, but it can also help you save $115 a year because you’re not using hot water to scrub your clothes!
Finally, you should always consider air-drying your clothes as opposed to using the dryer (aka the energy gobbler).
When it’s the middle of winter, it’s tempting to blast up the heater no matter how expensive it might be.
But there are a bunch of nifty tricks that can help you stay warm without wreaking havoc on your bank balance.
Because here’s the thing, every degree above 20 degrees celsius on your thermostat can add 10% to your heating bill.
And in winter, heating accounts for over 30% of our total energy bills.
Try to set your temperature between 18-20 degrees in winter, and invest in some comfy warm layers. We’re not saying freeze yourself, but it’s better to keep your heating at 20 degrees for a longer period of the day than pumping it at 25 degrees on and off, on and off..
Since we know these prickly prices aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s a great time to compare your energy provider to others out there and make sure you’re getting the best deal.
There are a range of comparison tools available that take less than 10 minutes, but the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy tool is a solid starting point.
Finding the best deal can save you hundreds of dollars over a year on energy costs!
So, while electricity prices are on the rise and your heater feels like a luxury home feature, the good news is, you don’t have to sit in the dark (unless you're into that vibe).
With a few clever switches (pun intended), some mindful habits, and a quick provider comparison, you can keep your bills in check and your toes toasty this winter. ☃️
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