Winter doesn't have to wreck your power bill. Here are practical ways to stay warm while keeping electricity costs down.
There are two types of people in the world: The type who rolls out of bed and cranks the heating on full blast to 30+ degrees before they’ve even had a chance to feel the threat of a shiver…
And the type who sits in the living room wearing five layers and convincing themself it really isn’t thaaaat cold.
But getting through the chilly months doesn’t have to mean blowing your electricity bill or being trigger happy with the heatpump… (or suffocating in four sweaty thermals).
We consulted the experts and got five tips to get you through the chilly weather and help you save on your electricity bill.
When it’s the middle of winter, it’s tempting to blast up the heater no matter how expensive it might be.
But 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..
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.
You can also save on lighting by making the most of mother nature’s light bulb.
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 about 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, consider air-drying your clothes as opposed to using the dryer (aka the energy gobbler).
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 around 10% of your household electricity use - and it's better for the environment.
If you live in New South Wales, south-east Queensland or South Australia - good news! You could actually be getting three hours of free power a day through a government regulated scheme.
The Solar Sharer offer means eligible households can opt in to an electricity plan with free electricity in the middle of the day (not too shabby). It's capped at 24kWh a day - between 11am and 2pm in NSW and south-east Queensland, and 12pm to 3pm in South Australia.
If you live in Victoria, there’s a similar scheme, called the Midday Power Saver which switches on from October 1st.
But you should know...
So it works best if you can actually shift your big energy tasks - washing, dishwasher, EV charging - into the middle of the day. If most of your usage happens in the evening, it could end up costing you more, so it's worth checking if this deal is right for your needs.
Which brings me to my next point…
Compare the best deals
There are a bunch of free government comparison tools that take less than 10 minutes.
If you live in NSW, Queensland, SA, Tassie or the ACT, the Australian Government's Energy Made Easy tool is a solid starting point. Victorians, you've got your own version: Victorian Energy Compare.
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.
All information contained in the Flux app, www.flux.finance, www.joinflux.com, app.flux.finance and any podcast of Flux Media Pty Ltd (ABN 27 639 804 345) is for education and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional financial, legal or tax advice. While we do our best to provide accurate information on the podcast, we accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be communicated. Flux does not operate under an Australian financial services licence and relies on the exemption available under section 911A(2)(eb) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and ASIC RG 36.66. Flux Technologies Pty Ltd provides general advice on credit products under our own Australian Credit Licence No. 530103. The product information presented does not constitute an offer and we are not recommending or suggesting any particular product.
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