With cost-of-living pressures hitting Aussie households, many of us are looking for ways to reduce our expenses. With so many tips available when it comes to reducing electricity usage, you may find yourself wondering if there are small things you can do to influence your gas usage too. The good news is there is, and we\u2019ve pulled together some of our favourite tips to help you take control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to gas usage in the home, there are usually a few main appliances that are plumbed into your gas line. These can include heaters, ovens and stoves \u2013 but perhaps the most common is hot water systems. If your home is connected to natural gas, these tips could help you reduce your energy bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have gas heating in your home, one of the best ways to reduce your gas usage during the cooler months is to heat your main living spaces \u2013 rather than individual rooms. When running your heater, be sure to set the thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius<\/a>. Each degree over that uses\u202fabout 15% more energy<\/a>.\u00a0 Even though hot water tanks are insulated, heat loss can occur from the system through the pipes \u2013 particularly as water is moving from the tank to your taps. Insulating the water pipes<\/a> attached to your system can reduce heat loss<\/a> and raise water temperature \u2013 meaning your system doesn\u2019t need to work as hard in cold weather to heat your water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple adjustment to your shower set-up could lead to significant savings<\/a> on your water and gas bill. By switching a conventional showerhead to a 5-star low-flow option, a family of four could save up to $315 a year<\/a>* on their water bill. There\u2019s also no need to sacrifice the quality of your showers either,\u202fall 4 and 5-star showerheads now need to pass tests<\/a> for spray force and coverage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some state and local governments may even provide rebates and financial assistance<\/a> if you want to make water-efficient upgrades to your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking shorter showers is simple way to reduce your energy usage. A 2022 survey<\/a> commissioned by Melbourne Water Corporations<\/a> found that showers made up an average of 31%<\/a> of a typical household\u2019s water use. Additionally, by taking a four minute shower, the average household can save 24 litres of water per shower and up to $200 a year<\/a> on water and energy bills. So, pop on your favourite song and challenge yourself to take a shorter shower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washing in cold water<\/a>\u202fis a simple way reduce your gas usage \u2013 all in one spin cycle. Not only can cold water washing help reduce your energy bill \u2013 about 90%<\/a>\u202fof the energy used by your washing machine goes towards heating the water \u2013 it\u2019s also better at preventing clothes from shrinking or fading in the wash (excluding delicates or woollens) and minimises the chance of colours bleeding.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know most dishwashers have an economy mode that washes your dishes at a lower temperature? The next time you\u2019re on dish duty, check to see if your model has this setting. Regardless of the type of dishwasher you have, try to hold off until you have a full load \u2013 and if that\u2019s not possible, check to see if you have a \u2018rapid wash\u2019 or a \u2018half-wash\u2019 mode to be as energy-savvy as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many households have gas stoves and ovens. So, if you can avoid using the oven or stove even a few nights a week, you\u2019ll be helping reduce your gas usage over the month. An energy-efficient alternative is a good old slow cooker. Slow cookers are great for multitasking \u2013 whipping up delicious stews and comforting meals while you\u2019re in the office, or juggling parenthood. They’re also incredibly versatile and\u202fuse less energy<\/a>\u202fthan standard ovens. \u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have access to a slow cooker, no sweat, there are a few simple tweaks you can make to how you use your stove and oven that can add up over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re in the market for new appliances, it\u2019s important to make sure a \u2018good deal\u2019 doesn\u2019t end up costing you more in the long run. If you\u2019re in the market for a new washing machine or dishwasher, you\u2019ll also want to pay attention to the Water Rating Label<\/a>. Like the Energy Rating Label<\/a>, it allows you to quickly compare the water efficiency<\/a> by showing the rate of water consumption \u2013 such as flow rate, litres per flush or litres per wash \u2013 easily helping you decide which appliance will best suit your budget and give you the best water and energy savings<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If there’s an electrical option for the appliance you’re in the market for, it’s worth considering the switch. Electrical appliances could cost you less<\/a>, providing you take into account the Energy Rating, and they allow you to take full advantage of solar<\/a> if you have a solar system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your hot water system is in need of an upgrade, it\u2019s worth considering the switch to an instantaneous system (AKA continuous flow). There are two main type of hot water systems, instantaneous and storage systems. Storage systems keep water heated in an insulated storage tank, whilst \u2013 as the name suggests \u2013 instantaneous systems heat the water only as it\u2019s needed. In colder climates especially, storage systems are particularly inefficient as it\u2019s not possible to insulate the water where the gas flame heats the tank. Natural gas plans generally have single-rate tariffs<\/a> that set out charges in \u2018blocks\u2019 of usage. You\u2019ll usually pay more for the first \u2018block\u2019 (e.g. the first 100 megajoules) of natural gas you use, a lower charge for the next block, and a lower charge again for the remaining block. For this reason, it\u2019s important when comparing plans and rates to take into consideration the bigger picture \u2013 not just the charge for the first block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of rates, make it a habit to check your energy bill every six months or so to ensure you\u2019re on the best energy plan<\/a> for your household. Taking the time to check your plan could result in significant savings on your gas bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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To get the most out of your heater, be sure to trap the warm air. Close doors to unused rooms and draw your curtains to block radiant heat loss. When it comes to those sneaky winter draughts, draught snakes are a great low-cost investment \u2013 they do a brilliant job at stopping the heat from seeping out beneath front and back doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReduce your hot water usage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Insulate your water pipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Purchase a low flow shower head<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Take shorter showers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wash in cold water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use the ‘economy’ setting on your dishwasher<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cook smart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Make energy-efficient purchases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Upgrading your hot water system?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you currently have a gas system, it\u2019s worth considering the switch to an electric instantaneous hot water system when it\u2019s time to upgrade. Electric hot water systems can take advantage of solar, if you have a solar setup, and should you end up with a storage hot water system over an instantaneous there are options such as off-peak and controlled load tariffs that may suit your needs and reduce your cost to run.
If you\u2019re in particularly sunny part of the country, it might even be worth considering the switch to a solar hot water system \u2013 this will reduce your reliance on gas, or the energy grid, even further. <\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstand your gas rates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check your energy plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n