Seek out more stars
While some appliances may seem like a steal at first glance, they could end up costing you more in the long run. That’s where the Energy Rating Label – where more stars indicate energy efficiency, less indicates otherwise – comes in handy. The label allows you to easily see how much electricity an appliance will use compared to a range of models with similar features and capacities. There’s also another piece of advice on each label that can be used to figure out the real running costs – the annual energy consumption figure – which we’ll get to a little later.
Check the water efficiency
If you’re in the market for a new washing machine or dishwasher, you’ll also want to pay attention to the Water Rating Label. Like the Energy Rating Label, it allows you to quickly compare the water efficiency by showing the rate of water consumption – such as flow rate, litres per flush or litres per wash – easily helping you decide which appliance will best suit your budget and give you the best water and energy savings.
Calculate the cost to run
To work out the cost of running your new appliance, it’s worth going to the store armed with the rate you pay for your electricity usage in kilowatt hours (kWh). For example, if you pay 24c per kWh for your electricity, you can use the average annual energy consumption figure on the Energy Rating Label to calculate the yearly cost to run. If it says the appliances uses 542kWh annually, just multiply that by 24c, to come to an annual total electricity (usage) cost of $130.08. This will give you a great frame of reference between two items with the same star rating. This handy appliance calculator can also crunch the numbers for you.
Make the switch to electric
If it’s time to upgrade your gas hot water heater, stove or oven, perhaps it’s time to consider making the switch to an electric version. By electrifying your home, you can take further advantage of solar and battery power (whether that’s now or in the future) and improve your home’s carbon footprint in the process. There are also other eco-friendly alternatives you might consider, like solar hot water systems.
Upgrade your appliances with Origin Rewards
Save some coin when upgrading your appliances with Origin Rewards. We’ve partnered with a range of stores including JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys, so you can get a great deal when purchasing new appliances. Simply log in to the Origin app or My Account and head to the ‘Rewards’ tab to take advantage of a range of discounts – it’s our way of saying thanks for being an Origin customer!
Get energy savvy
The opportunity for energy saving doesn’t end after you’ve lugged home your purchase and installed it. Adopting simple energy saving habits like ensuring your new AC is set to 24 degrees Celsius in summer, and between 18 – 20 degrees Celsius in winter, keeping filters clean and switching appliances off at the wall when not in use can all help reduce your household’s energy bill ongoing.
Switch off and get rewarded
If you’re an Origin customer, you can get rewarded for switching off. Spike, our energy-saving rewards program, gives you points for hitting your energy-saving goals (forecasts) during peak times (SpikeHours). You can then redeem your SpikePoints for PayPal cash and gift cards – which you could spend on more pieces to spruce up your place. Whatever’s on your wish list, you’ll be saving money on your energy bills and treating yourself too.
