Save power, save money
Take action to reduce your energy bills, make your home more comfortable and help our environment.
At any time
- Use less hot water.
- Have shorter showers.
- Check energy rating labels when buying new appliances.
- Upgrade your home insulation, windows and blinds to heat-proof your house.
- Switch off appliances at the wall to use one to five percent less energy.
- Switch off lights when you leave a room.
In summer
- Use fans instead of air conditioning.
- If you use an air conditioner, each degree warmer on the thermostat can save you 10%.
- Closing gaps and cracks around the house can save you $50 a year.
- ‘Zone’ your home by cooling one part of your house and cut down on cooling in other areas.
- Close curtains and blinds during the day.
- Cross-ventilation and open windows in the evening allow for natural breezes.
In winter
- By day, let natural light in.
- Close curtains and doors at night.
- ‘Zone’ your home by warming the rooms you use the most.
- Use door snakes to stop draughts.
- Rug up and use blankets.
In the bathroom and laundry
- Washing clothes in cold water can save around $50 per year.
- Swapping your dryer for a clothesline one extra time a week could save you around $70 per year.
- Have short showers.
In the kitchen
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before using it, and use the energy-saving setting.
- Use the microwave or BBQ more often instead of the oven.
- Check that fridges and freezers aren’t overloaded.
- Clean fridge door seals and replace if worn.
- Use lids on pots to keep the heat in.
In living areas
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Switch off TVs and home entertainment systems at the wall.
Garage and garden
- Do you really need that second fridge?
- If you turn off your pool pump at peak times (3pm–7pm) and turn off your pool heater, you may see some big energy-bill savings.