If there\u2019s one thing everyone loves, it\u2019s saving money. Small tweaks to the way you use energy at home can quickly add up to big savings on your energy bill. We\u2019ve pulled together some of our favourite energy hacks to help you take control of your usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Switch any unused appliances off at the wall. Appliances in standby mode are still using power \u2013 standby could be costing you up to $100 per year<\/a>. You can even purchase smart plugs<\/a> that will switch off hard-to-reach appliances for you at the click of a button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beat the winter chill, without heating up your energy bill, by heating your main living spaces \u2013 rather than individual rooms. When running your heater ensure you set the temperature between 18 – 20 degrees Celsius. Each degree over uses\u202fabout 10% more energy<\/a>. Importantly, keep heat trapped by shutting your curtains and use draught stoppers to keep cool air from creeping in. Door seals, draught-proofing strips and door snakes can reduce your heating costs by up to 25%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When heating your home it may also be beneficial to keep your heating on all day<\/a>. That’s right, if you have reverse cycle air-conditioning it’s efficiency will vary throughout the day. With this in mind, it’s best not to turn reverse cycle air-conditioning on and off. If you heat your home for a while, only to switch the heating back on when it gets cold again, your aircon is going to have to work hard to get back to that desired temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whereas if it’s on the same low temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius – hopefully not too different from the outside temperature – it’s going to run much more efficiently<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re relying on portable electric heaters or gas systems, flicking them on and off isn’t going to make much of a difference as these appliances don’t have the sensor functionality like reverse cycle air-conditioners do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summer, when you run your air conditioner set it to\u202f24\u00b0C or higher<\/a>\u202f(each degree under uses 5% more energy). \u202fTo get the most bang for buck out of your cooling and heating, keep the doors shut and curtains drawn \u2013 trapping the air. Repair any faulty door seals and opt for door snakes and weather strips to block any gaps where air can escape.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your split system\/air conditioner\u2019s filters clean. This habit won’t just improve the air quality at home, it will also help ensure your unit is running as efficiently as possible \u2013 resulting in lower running costs. The more clogged the dust filters and interior of the system are, the harder it has to work (and the more energy it uses) to cool or heat your space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On sunny days, peg your washing up instead of using the clothes dryer. This simple swap could help you save around $80 per year<\/a>* off your energy bill.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n About 90%<\/a>\u202fof the energy used by your washing machine goes towards heating the water. So, washing in cold water<\/a>\u202fis a simple way to minimise energy usage \u2013 all in one spin cycle. As an added bonus, cold-water washing is better at preventing clothes from shrinking or fading in the wash (always check the care tag when it comes to delicates or woollens) and it prevents colours from bleeding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re in the market for new appliances<\/a>, make sure you pay attention to the Energy Rating Label<\/a> and Water Rating Labels<\/a>. These labels will help make sure a \u2018good deal\u2019 doesn\u2019t end up costing you more in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHeat the hub<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Consider whether you need to switch the heater on and off<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reverse cycle air-conditioners work by sucking heat from the air outside. So, theoretically if you set the temperature to 24 degrees when it’s 24 degrees outside, it would cost very little. As the majority of air conditioners have a sensor within them that regulates the temperature, it will work to heat your home to whichever temperature you set.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCool clever<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Filter your filters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Take advantage of nature’s dryer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cold power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Choose energy-efficient appliances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n