Inflation and rising fuel prices are now impacting our utility bills, and you’ll likely have seen a steep increase in the cost of gas and electricity in the past few months.
But, unlike the price of broccoli or petrol, there is something you can do to help reduce the running costs of your home.
As we approach summer, we’re all going to notice the additional cost of cooling our homes. So, we’ve listed nine tips designed to decrease your utility bills.
One degree makes a difference
If you’ve got a reverse-cycle air conditioner, increase the standard temperature by at least 1C. Also, set the timer so the cooling is off when your home is empty, such as during working hours.
Stop-start strategy
If you’re one of the thousands of people who believe it’s cheaper to continually cool a home rather than turn the air conditioning on when it’s wanted, we hate to break it to you … that’s a myth.
Light bulb moment
By now, we should all be aware that swapping out old school globes for LED and halogen lamps will save you a packet. Most LEDs use 75% less energy than those old incandescent lamps.
Turn off the tech
Here’s a well-known energy-saving solution that most of us ignore: turn off the TV and computer rather than leave them on standby. Over a year, you waste several hundred dollars on what is known as “phantom load”.
Cold, hard facts
Did you know it takes more energy to keep an empty fridge cold than a full one? So, either fill yours with food, or stash some water bottles on the shelves to reduce energy usage.
Kettle capers
Stop filling up your kettle for just one or two cups of tea or coffee. Only boil the water you need and you will knock more than $200 off your bill every year.
Put a lid on it
Cooking with pot lids is another energy-saver. You can turn off the heat a few minutes earlier and the food under the lids will keep cooking.
Save water
The persistence of the La Nina weather pattern may mean water-saving strategies are not a priority right now, but we still live on the planet’s driest continent. Installing a modern shower head makes sense for you and the environment. You’ll reduce shower water consumption by 40%.
Having a ball
Here’s a nifty device: the tumble dryer ball. As any owner will tell you, the tumble dryer is an energy monster. But you can minimise power consumption by putting a tumble dryer ball in every load. It creates space between the clothes so they dry faster.