17 things you can do right now to save big on your energy bill

‍Do you want to save big on your energy bill? These easy adjustments are small enough to start today, but they'll make a big difference to both your savings and your environmental impact.

By Carolyn Tate

Have you been watching your electricity bills going up every year? Energy is one of the most stressful expenses we have and according to iSelect, 50% of us need to cut back on spending elsewhere in order to afford the energy bill.

Managing household expenses can be tricky, especially if we’re on a fixed income or have stopped working. Navigating those bill payments can become stressful but it doesn’t need to be.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can reduce your electricity bill that won’t have much impact on your lifestyle. Some may be obvious, while others are sneaky tricks that could save you a lot of money. All of these add up to big savings if you follow them.

1. Switch energy suppliers

While it may seem like a hassle, chances are if you've been with the same supplier for a while, you're probably paying more. That's because companies save their best deals for new customers, they don't reward the loyalty of old customers. Grab your electricity bill, head online to a comparison website like iSelect and upload your electricity bill. If you're paying more than you should be, see if your current supplier will match the rate you could get elsewhere. If they can't, take your business (and your money) elsewhere.

2. Upgrade to LED lighting‍

Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. LED lighting consumes significantly less energy and has a much longer lifespan.

3. Unplug electronics

Even when they’re turned off, electronics in standby mode can still draw power and cost you money. Unplug devices or use smart power strips to cut off power completely.

4. Use natural light

If there’s one thing Australia has in surplus, it’s sunlight. Make the most of natural daylight by opening blinds and curtains during the day, reducing the need for artificial lighting. You can also use light to control the temperature in your home - open the shades wide to catch the sun in winter, and keep them closed in summer.

5. Seal leaks and gaps‍

Inspect all your doors and windows for draughts, and use weatherstripping or caulking to seal gaps. Use a rolled up towel to seal  gaps under doors in any rooms that you are heating or cooling. Proper insulation can reduce both your heating and cooling costs.

6. Adjust your air conditioner‍

Set the temperature on your air conditioner to a comfortable but not overly warm temperature in winter and a cooler temperature in summer. Even better: turn it off when you can and use other ways to keep warm or cool. Think rugging up indoors in winter or using a simple fan to circulate air in summer (see #8 below).

In summer, another top tip for reducing energy use is to use the dry mode on your aircon, if you have one. Dry mode will lower the levels of humidity and moisture in the air, which is often enough to make you feel more comfortable without having to actually cool the room. In dry mode, your air conditioner's compressor runs at a much slower pace than it needs to cool, so it uses less energy to operate.

7. Regular maintenance‍

Ensure that your heating and cooling systems are well-maintained - book an annual maintenance check-up with a licensed technician. Between servicing, you should also clean or replace filters as needed to maintain efficiency and don't forget to keep the area around your outdoor unit free of debris. It's also helpful to shade your outdoor unit if you can.

8. Use ceiling fans‍

Ceiling fans can help distribute air more effectively than air conditioners, and they use less energy, allowing you to feel comfortable at a higher temperature. It's estimated that a ceiling fan can reduce the perceived temperature by about 3°C and cost only around 2c per hour to run.

9. Buy energy-efficient appliances

‍When it's time to replace appliances, choose energy-efficient models with a high Energy Rating. The Energy Rating Label is displayed on these appliances:

• air conditioners
• clothes dryers
• clothes washers
• computer monitors
• dishwashers
• fridges and freezers
• pool pumps
• TVs

Energy.gov.au advises that to  estimate how much an appliance with a star rating will cost to run each year, you can multiply the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) a year (the number on the Energy Rating Label) by your electricity rate (this is the rate you pay per kilowatt, shown on your electricity bill).

10. Wash clothes in cold water‍

Did you know that most of the energy used by our washing machines goes towards heating the water? If your clothes aren’t particularly dirty, wash them in cold water to save on energy costs. Many detergents are formulated to use in cold water, so it might help to switching from your usual if you feel like cold water isn't getting the job done as well as you'd like.

10. Air dry clothes‍

Use a clothesline or drying rack to air dry your laundry instead of using a dryer. It's gentler on your clothes and reduces energy consumption – that’s a double saving! Energy Australian estimates that it costs 0.822c per load to use a 4kg dryer with a 3-star rating. Chances are your dryer has a much larger capacity than 4kg, and when you consider how many loads you're running through it each year the cost can really add up.

12. Cook efficiently‍

Use smaller appliances like toaster ovens, airfryers or microwaves for small meals or if you’re just cooking for one or 2. When using the oven or stove, cook multiple items at once, if you can, to save energy. Consider switching from an electric or gas cooktop to an induction cooktop, which are more efficient and cheaper to run.

13. Seal leaky ducts‍

If your home has a central heating and cooling system, have the ducts inspected and sealed to prevent energy loss.

14. Turn off lights‍

Remember to turn off lights when leaving a room. If you have trouble remembering, consider installing motion-sensor lights in less frequently used areas. You should also consider using smaller lamps at night, rather than overhead ceiling lights. These generally use less energy and also create a softer, cosier light at night (which is better for your sleep routine anyway).

15. Use power-saving modes‍

Enable power-saving modes on computers, printers, and other electronic devices, so they don’t keep on chewing through electricity when they’re not in use. Better yet, shutdown your tech completely when you're done for the day.

16. Reduce hot water usage‍

Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to 49°C – you shouldn’t ever need it hotter than that, and if you do, you can boil the kettle. If you have a tank-style gas water heater, the temperature control knob will be located somewhere near the base of the unit. It can be tricky to access and isn't straightforward, so seek professional help if you're unsure of what you're doing.

Fix any water leaks promptly and use low-flow shower heads and taps to help reduce your hot water use.

17. Consider solar panels‍

While this final tip isn’t as easy as the other tips, installing solar panels on your property can save you a lot of money now and into the future. Government grants may be applicable, so do your research and see if it could be a viable option for you.

_{Feature image: iStock/AsiaVision}

Find more tips here:

• ‍8 easy actions to save big on energy bills
• 9 free grocery apps that will save you money at the supermarket
• 101 clever ways to save money and live a richer life

^{Advice given in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. It is not intended to influence readers' decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.}