A NSW Government website

Free ways to save energy and money

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.