- Servicing Queensland since 2010
8 Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Bill
February 1, 2015
So how can you reduce your electricity bill? Rising electricity bills are becoming a major issue in Queensland homes. According to a report by the Brisbane times, in the 2013-2014 financial year, electricity prices increased by about 22% – or $260 a year. To make things worse, it was then announced that power prices are still yet to rise by about another $200 a year.
Although power prices seem to always be on the rise, it’s not the end of the world. There are numerous things you can do to reduce your electricity bill – and even help the environment by lowering your carbon footprint. Here are 8 things you implement in your home to reduce your electricity bill right now:
1. Sun dry your clothes
If possible, sun dry your clothes. A clothes dryer can account for approximately 12% of electricity use in a typical household.
2. Switch off or unplug chargers you aren’t using
Have a phone, tablet or notebook charger plugged into a socket that isn’t actually plugged into a device? Unplug the charger and turn the switch off at the socket, as a plugged in charger can still influence your electricity usage.
3. Choose appliances wisely
As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for”. Although you may be constrained by budget, it is advisable to choose appliances with a high energy rating. When buying appliances, you may see a sticker with an energy rating label. Basically, the more stars, the more energy efficient the appliance.
4. Reduce air conditioning / heating
Air conditioners and heaters can be one of the biggest drainers of electricity. Did you know that changing the temperature of your air conditioner or heater one degree lower or higher can greatly influence your electricity usage? Some ways to reduce your air conditioner dependence: only using it when needed, planting more trees outside of your home (for a cooler breeze), shutting the doors of rooms that aren’t occupied and substituting usage with fans and better ventilation. It could also be worthwhile, when moving to a new home, to consider the direction your home will be facing. In Brisbane, for instance, it is considered by some investors that north east facing properties have a higher chance of benefiting from cooler weather during summer.
5. Turn TV, DVD player and stereo off by using the button on the unit
Did you know that turning your TV, DVD and stereo off directly through their device switches instead of them off through their remotes can further decrease your electricity usage? This simple act can provide you with significant savings in the long run.
6. Be energy-smart with your computers
When thinking about purchasing a new computer for your home, consider that generally, laptops and notebooks are more energy efficient than desktop computers. When taking a break from your computer, use ‘sleep mode’ as computers generally use similar power to when they’re busy, or when they’re idle. Don’t forget to shut down your computer and other devices (such as printers and scanners) when you’re done for the day.
7. Get a solar pool pump
Your pool’s filtration pump could be the most expensive device in your home. Depending on the size of your pool, a pump can cost anywhere from $1000 to $2000 in electricity every year. This also means you are contributing in the vicinity of 6 tons of greenhouse emissions each year. Solar pool pumps can help you significantly lessen these costs – and help the environment.
8. Install solar power and solar hot water
Installing solar power and solar hot water systems into your home could be a fantastic way to reduce your electricity bill and carbon footprint. Thanks to solar finance and solar leasing options, it’s possible to install solar for free and lock in power prices for 20 years – helping you overcome any price hikes in the future.
