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When you understand how you use energy, you can make simple changes which can help to reduce your power bill.
Know where your energy is going
1. Air-conditioners
WA is a great place to live - but our climate can be harsh.
It’s no surprise that if you’re like most households, around 40% of your energy is used for cooling your home. If you live in southern WA, heating your home in cooler months is likely also adding to this.
2. Appliances
Appliances account for around 25% of the average household energy bill.
This includes your kitchen and laundry appliances, TV, home entertainment, and office equipment.
3. Water heating
Water heating accounts for around 23% of the energy used in an Aussie home.
More than half of hot water use is in the bathroom, a third in the laundry and the rest is used in the kitchen.
4. Lighting & pools
Lighting your home can account for about 7% of your total energy use.
If you have a pool, your pool pump could use as much as 18% of your total bill.
Try these simple changes around your home
Learn how to reduce energy waste and get the most out of the energy you’re using - without sacrificing comfort.
Use the savings calculator to find out the estimated running costs of your appliances and how to save money by cutting down your usage.
You could reduce your energy costs by setting your air-con to the recommended temperature: That’s 21 to 24°C in summer, depending on where you live.
Air-cons account for up to 40% of the average household's energy costs
Here are some tips to run your air-con as efficiently as possible.
- Put your fan on first to push the hot air out. The air flow created by a fan can feel like the equivalent of reducing your temperature by around 3°C - but fans use less energy and are cheaper to run.
- Then turn your air-con on a little earlier in the day and, depending on where you live, set it to around 21 to 24 degrees. Each degree lower (in summer) or higher (in winter) can increase your power bill by up to 10%.
- Don't forget! Close any rooms you aren't using so you don't cool them unnecessarily, or block off the ducting outlets in unused rooms if you have a ducted system.
- In colder months, setting the temperature between 18˚C to 20˚C is comfortable for most people.
Explore more energy saving tips...
- Water heating
Tips to reduce your water heating costs... - Reduce the amount of water and electricity you use by having shorter showers and installing a water saving shower head.
- Consider fitting flow restrictors to your bathroom, laundry and kitchen taps to reduce the amount of water that comes out.
- Take advantage of the sun's free heating by installing a solar hot water system and placing it close to where most of the hot water is being used.
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Fridge - Set your fridge temperature between 3°C and 4°C and your freezer temp between –15°C and –18°C.
- Check the seals on your fridge door for air leaks. If you can slide a $5 note in the door frame, air is escaping – and energy is being wasted.
- Dustbust the back of the fridge. Vacuum the dust from the condensor coil at the back of the fridge to help keep it running efficiently.
- Defrost the freezer if the ice is thicker than five millimetres so your freezer can use less electricity to keep your food frozen.
- Consider if you really need your second fridge. If you don't use it much, keep your drinks in the main fridge and just turn your second one on when you're entertaining. Or better still, use ice buckets.
Dishwasher - Only run your dishwasher when it’s full and use the ‘eco’ setting to lower its energy and water use.
- Regularly clean your dishwasher filter to keep it running efficiently.
Washing machine & dryer - Wash with cold water and use the ‘eco’ setting to use less energy. Washing in warm or hot water uses around 50% more energy than washing in cold water - using a typical front loader machine.
- Use your washing machine less by waiting until you have a full load.
- Avoid the dyer. If you use your dryer regularly, it can account for up to 10% of your energy use.
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Reduce your lighting costs... - Swap out your old lightbulbs for LED bulbs which use less watts to provide the same amount of light. LEDs use 75% less power and can last up to ten times longer than standard globes.
- Get in the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room – or use natural light during the day when you can.
Appliances (like TVs & game consoles) - Standby mode can account for up to 6% of your energy use. Your fridge and freezer need to stay running all day and night – but your TV, gaming consoles and microwave could be using electricity when they’re not in use, so remember to swicth the off at the wall.
- Consider investing in a standby power control board to detect when an appliance is on standby and cut the flow of electricity automatically.
- Swimming pools
Tips for an energy efficient pool... - If you have a pool, set your pump on a timer. Running your pump for two hours less a day in winter could help you save on energy costs - always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- A clogged filter means your pump needs to use more energy. Scoop leaves by hand, keep filters clean (or backwash as required) and make sure your filter is the right size for your pool.
- Maintenance
By keeping your appliances in good working condition - like cleaning or changing filters - you could save hundreds a year. - Clean the filter on your air-con and you could save about $300 a year.
- Check the seals on your fridge and freezer doors. If a five dollar note can fit between the seals, then cold air is leaking out and hot air is getting in. This means your fridge is working overtime and costing you money.
- Vacuum the dust from the condenser coil at the back of the fridge - it could lead to an energy saving of 11%.
*Savings and figures should be used as a guide only. Always consider the energy star rating when purchasing new appliances. For more information, visit the WA Government household and business energy tips, www.energyrating.gov.auand www.yourhome.gov.au/energy.
Keep track of your energy use
Learn more about how your household uses energy and how your electricity bill is calculated.
Monitor your usage with our app
With our app, you can see when your household uses the most energy throughout the day. View your usage for the past year with monthly, daily and hourly interactive graphs and compare your usage with the same time last year. You can also see how much your next bill is likely to be and see how you’re tracking throughout each bill period.
Download the app
Understand your bill
Make sure you understand what makes up your bill. Some of the costs you can control, for example the number of units of electricity you use. Then there’s costs such as your supply charge, which is the cost of getting electricity to your home or business through poles, wires and other infrastructure.
View our bill explainer
Consider these energy-saving investments
Here's some helpful online resources if you're ready to upgrade appliances or invest in your home's energy efficiency.
Solar hot water
Consider switching to a solar hot water system. They cost more to buy than other options but are generally cheaper to run and better for the environment.
Cooling & heating
Check your home’s insulation is adequate, install quality window coverings and use energy-efficient appliances.
Buying an appliance?
Check its energy rating. The more stars the appliance has, the less energy it will use – which will save you money in the long term.
Installing solar comes at a cost, but over time it can make a big difference to your bill.
See if you could save
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.
