Want to save on your electricity bill? Learn the simple and cheapest ways to cool and heat your home.

Australians are being slugged with higher electricity prices for, what feels like, indefinitely. The Federal Government and States have stepped in with temporary bill relief packages, however, electricity bills are set to rise over the next five years as the Australian Energy Regulator sets new network transmission costs.

So what can your household do right now to manage the cost of electricity? Putting aside comparing your provider, there are some simple ways to save on your electricity bill. Let’s break them down:

Appliances

We often purchase appliances thinking more about branding or features that we do the ongoing running costs. The Australian Government has put a lot of effort into helping consumers become aware of the energy efficiency of their new appliances.

Review the energy rating of all new appliance purchases

When purchasing new appliances, whether it’s a toaster, fridge or TV, look for models that are energy-efficient.

Energy Star certified appliances can save you money on your energy bills while reducing your environmental impact.

Keep an eye out for the new Zoned Energy Rating Label’s on air conditioners:

Here are a few more things to keep in mind when purchasing appliances:

Washing Machines: Front-loaders are generally more expensive, but use less energy, water and detergent. Be mindful on buying front loaders that only have cold water inlet as these use alot of electricity to heat water for warm water cycles.
Dishwashers: These are rated separately for energy and water-efficiency. Do some research before purchase.
Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps: Can be expensive to buy but highly efficient and cheap to run. Talk to our team about them.
Portable Heaters: Cheap to buy but expensive to run. Compare them first or avoid them altogether.

Turn off idle devices at the wall

Switching off appliances at the wall sounds simple, but it works. Standby power is a real cost. According to Canstar Blue data, standby power could cost you as little as 0.03c per hour for a computer monitor to as much as 0.54c per hour for a smart TV. Add up all those devices in your home, and you could be paying hundreds of dollars extra each year!

Devices and appliances left switched on in Idle or Standby mode are costing you. The below figures are nationwide averages:

Smart TV - 40 cents per hour
Games console - 30 cents per hour
Microwave - 13 cents per hour

Heating & Cooling

“In a recent survey, 75% of Australians said they were concerned about how much it will cost them to heat their home this winter.” - CHOICE

Use a reverse cycle air conditioner

Modern, split system reverse cycle air conditioners are the most efficient way to cool or warm a home. At Electrical Embassy, we source and install the most reliable air conditioners on the market, including Mitsubishi Electric, MHI, Panasonic and Haier.

Did you know that MHI offer a $500 cash back on Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners purchased this winter? Talk to our team about them.

In warmer months, we recommend keeping your air conditioner between 22-24°C for optimal efficiency. In Winter, keep it to 19-22°C. Remember to service your air conditioner and book a PRO CLEAN once a year.

When it comes to heating, a 3.5 star rated air conditioner (efficiency of 500%) is far more efficient to heat up a home than a typical gas heater. See below table as an example. In Brisbane it costs 4.4 cents per Kilowatt-hour to run an air conditioner, compared to 19.7 cents per Kilowatt-hour to run a gas heater.

Small fan heaters from big retailers are very popular and cost as little as $30 to buy. But beware, the true cost to run these heaters is another story. We’ve seen plenty of bill-shock from small fan heaters that have doubled power bills. They may be great to warm for your feet up for a few minutes, but we don’t recommend leaving them on for long periods of time. They also can pose a fire risk if left unattended.

Use fans to move air around your home

Air conditioners are great at cooling or warming air, but not circulating air. A well-placed fan in a home running alongside an air conditioner can help move air throughout your home.

Are your fans looking old and dated? There are new DC model ceiling fans which are often more energy-efficient and quieter to run. Learn more about updating fans.

Be mindful of water use

Heating up water for showers can take a lot of energy. If you’re using an electrical hot water system and not sourcing your power from solar, then limiting your shower time can make a big difference to your bill.

If you have been considering a renewable energy source such as solar, speak to our team about how to combine solar with your hot water needs to future-proof your home and unlock even more energy savings. Technology is changing rapidly and it can be difficult to understand what’s the best solution when reading websites filled with marketing noise. Speak to the experts on the ground!

Lighting

How many lights do you have turned on right now? When was the last time you changed the lights in your home? Are those kitchen pendants still old halogen lamp technology?

Switch to LED and never look back

LED lights use between 7-20 watts per hour, compared to Halogen bulbs that use anywhere between 35 to 500 watts an hour to emit the same amount of light.

Recessed LED Downlights are a great way to modernise a home, and shave your electricity bill. You can also choose SMART light controls that connect to your home’s wifi to enable time-saving automation. Our team at Electrical Embassy can help you reap the benefits of a smart and connected home with the right technology.

Let in natural light, with controls

We all love a light and bright home. There’s nothing like that winter warm sun peering through the window. In summer, however, too much light can turn our home into a furnace— and even fade our furniture!

Controlling light with the use of blinds, shutters or curtains makes a big difference to the efficiency of your home.

As a side note, the relationship between lack of light and depression has been well documented for decades. Studies have concluded that outdoor light is more effective than artificial light, and homes that have natural sunlight can reduce depressive symptoms by 50%.

So if you’re feeling blue, check the light levels in your home. If you can’t get adequate sunlight in your home due to trees or surroundings, call our team and we’ll install LED lights to keep your home feeling light and bright all year round.

Structure & Fittings

The structure, materials and fittings in your home largely determine how efficient it is to cool or warm. The position of your home, the height of your ceilings and even the position of windows all play a part.

If you’re living in an established home, there are some simple things you can do to increase the overall energy efficiency. Consider these items for your next home project list or renovation:

Add window shades to the exterior of your home.
Tint your window glass to reduce UV heat.
Switch from Gas cooktop and heating to electric. Ask our team for advice!
Install modern blinds in windows to control the light and limit UV into your home.
Where possible, plant small trees around your home to provide partial shading.
For older homes: upgrade the insulation in your ceiling.
For Queenslander homes: add installation under your timber floors.

Get a energy audit of your home

Electrical Embassy are your local electricians and air conditioning specialists based in Brisbane. Our team can audit the energy of your home to identify ways you can save money now and ongoing in the future.

Are you someone who values high quality service and a sustainable home? Then connect with our team and scope your next project.

Enquire Online FREE

Or call us on (07) 3622 6443

Simple ways to save on your electricity bill