Welcoming a new baby changes every aspect of your life. From your sleep schedule and how long it takes to get out of the house, right through to how you use energy at home. So, we\u2019ve pulled together some handy tips to help keep your new bundle of joy comfortable whilst also keeping your energy bill down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcoming a new baby into your home is stressful and costly enough without adding a high energy bill into the mix. With the TV on more often while feeding, washing more, ensuring the little one\u2019s room is the perfect temperature and flicking on the kettle \u2013 it\u2019s easy to see how small things can quickly add up. In fact, a new addition to the household can lead to an increase of 25%<\/a> in energy consumption. Our top tips will help you be as energy-savvy<\/a> as possible while settling into newborn life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re in the early stages of planning bubs nursery, and have a few rooms to choose from, try to opt for a room on the southern side of your home. Southern facing windows won\u2019t receive too much direct sunlight during the day \u2013 helping you cut down<\/a> on cooling costs during warmer days<\/a>. Block-out curtains and blinds are a great investment that will help your baby sleep soundly during nap time and help keep the temperature more stable during summer and winter. When you do have to switch on the heating or cooling, make sure you opt for the most energy-savvy temperature. When cooling, this means setting your AC to 24\u00b0C or higher<\/a> (each degree under uses 5% more energy) and when heating up the space opt for 18-20\u00b0C<\/a> (each degree over 20\u00b0C uses around 10% more energy). <\/p>\n\n\n\n To get the most bang for buck out of your cooling and heating, keep the doors shut and curtains drawn – make sure you trap that air! Repair any faulty door seals and opt for door snakes and weather strips to block any gaps where air can escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have your remote and phone handy, perhaps have a charger nearby too. Pillows? Water? Entertainment? Tick! Remember you can be stuck there for a while. Whilst this tip might not save you energy on your bill, but it will help restore\u202fyour<\/em>\u202fall-important energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try and keep the bottles needing to be sterilised, along with all the stuff you need to do it, set up in one easy to reach area. This will save you leaving the tap running<\/a> while you try and find where you left the bottle cleaner – which could help reduce your gas usage<\/a> too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have your clothes sorted into piles or baskets to clearly show what needs soaking, washing, folding and putting away. You\u2019ll be doing a lot of washing with a new baby and an organised laundry\u202fis a happy laundry, it can also help you cut down on the amount of loads you\u2019re doing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of washing\u2026 washing in cold water<\/a> is a simple way to take care of little one’s clothes and minimise your energy usage \u2013 all in one spin cycle. Cold water washing is better at preventing clothes from shrinking or fading in the wash (excluding delicates or woollens) and it also prevents colours bleeding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Relying less on hot water cycles to wash your clothes also keeps your energy bill lower. About 90%<\/a> of the energy used by your washing machine goes towards heating the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the weather is nice out, opt for the clothesline over the dryer<\/a>. Not only will you save \u2013 air drying just three loads of washing a week can help you save around $80 a year<\/a> \u2013 the fresh air and sunshine on your face will do wonders for your wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use as many lamps as you can around the house rather than overhead halogen lighting and switch the globes to energy-efficient LEDs. By installing energy-saving<\/a> lighting options \u2013 like LEDs \u2013 you could save up to 80%<\/a> on your lighting costs (that\u2019s up to $16 per globe<\/a> per year). As an added bonus, opting for ambient lighting will also help keep everyone calmer in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need to reheat home-cooked that friends and family have prepared for you, and the microwave just won\u2019t cut it, make sure you opt for the fan forced setting on your oven. This simple swap will ensure your meal cooks more evenly, and quicker \u2013 resulting in less energy<\/a>. Make sure you make the most of nice weather when it pops up. Giving yourself even a small change of scenery during the day can help lower stress levels during a very demanding time. If you\u2019re a member of our energy-saving rewards<\/a> program,\u202fSpike<\/a>, make the most of your\u202fSpikeHours<\/a>\u202fwhen they pop up by having a cup of tea with the sunshine on your back in winter (or a cool drink in the shade on a hot summer\u2019s day). A break outdoors can feel as restorative as a nap. If you feel up to it, take the baby for a walk, a stroll can do wonders for your headspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple tip but one that can be overlooked while you\u2019re planning for life with a newborn. Check your bill and make sure you\u2019re on an energy plan<\/a> that\u2019s right for your household. Taking the time to check your plan could result in significant savings on your bills.While checking your plan, see whether you\u2019re eligible for any\u00a0concessions or rebates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation, location, location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you don\u2019t have the luxury of choosing the position of your baby\u2019s room, consider where you position the cot. Create a safe zone around it by placing it away from windows, heaters, lamps and cords. For your baby\u2019s comfort, also try and ensure it\u2019s not directly under an air-conditioning<\/a> or heating vent.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTemperature control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Create stations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feeding station<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bottled cleaning station<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Washing stations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wash smart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Take advantage of the sun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Opt for ambient lighting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cook clever<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you, or your partner, are handling mealtimes consider opting for slow cooked meals<\/a>. A legendary unsung appliance in the kitchen cupboard, slow cookers can assist in whipping up delicious stews and aromatic curries whilst you\u2019re juggling parenthood. Slow cookers are also incredibly versatile and use less energy<\/a> than standard ovens.
Whilst we\u2019re in the kitchen, make sure you flick off any small appliances that aren\u2019t in use. \u2018Vampire power<\/a>\u2019 can end up costing you up to $100 per year<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGet outside when you can<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check your energy plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n