Tips to cut down your power usage
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- Heating: Around 30–35% of your bill. Keep the heat in, use a heat pump efficiently and heat only the rooms you need.
- Hot water: Also around 30%. Take shorter showers, fix drips, and insulate your cylinder.
- Appliances: Fridges, cooktops, washing machines and dryers can add up, especially when used inefficiently.
- Lighting and standby power: Together, these can make up 10–15%. Switch off and unplug appliances when not in use and switch to LED bulbs
- Set heat pumps to 20°C and clean filters regularly.
- Use timers and thermostats on heaters.
- Keep curtains closed at night and seal drafts around doors and windows.
- Close off any rooms not in use, and only heat the spaces you use.
- Turn down your hot water cylinder to 60°C.
- Use efficient showerheads and fix dripping taps.
- Use cold water for washing and rinse dishes in a bowl instead of under a running tap.
- Always keep mixer taps turned to cold.
- Cold washes can save $60–$80 per year.
- Dry clothes outside when possible or part-dry before using the dryer.
- Turn devices off at the wall – devices on standby could cost you over $250 a year.
- Turn off appliances when not in use and consider turning off extra appliances like a second fridge.
- Unplug chargers, TVs, gaming consoles, and other electronics when not in use.
- Insulate ceilings and floors to reduce heat loss by up to 50%
- Use double-glazing where possible, or try DIY window film
- Block drafts with door snakes and seal gaps around windows
- Close curtains before sundown and open them during sunny days
- Use draft stoppers to block gaps under doors and windows
- Ventilate your home daily to reduce dampness — it’s easier to heat a dry space
- Wipe condensation from windows and walls to prevent mould
- Use microwaves, air fryers or slow cookers instead of the oven
- Match pots to element size and keep lids on
- Only boil the amount of water you need
- Cook multiple dishes at once when using the oven
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