I have always had super low bills. It’s not hard to reduce the cost of electricity while still having a comfortable lifestyle.
A few years ago, I did a seminar for lawyers on ways to save money.
I had my most recent electricity bill up on the screen and they squealed asking how I got it so low.
I currently use Red Energy (and did when I lived in NSW previously too). They offer a $25 bonus when you switch.
Here are my tips.
1. Turn Everything off When not in use
Turn everything off at the powerpoint except for your fridge and TV.
In the USA you need to unplug it, in Australia, we have a switch at the wall to turn it off like a light switch.
Go through your home and turn off everything you don’t need on such as the washing machine, microwave, toaster, gaming consoles, computer, chargers (unless they are charging a device), lights, heaters etc.
How many devices do you have plugged in, using power when you don’t need them on?
2. Hang Your Clothes Instead of Using the Dryer
I don’t even own a dryer anymore and whenever I have, my bills have suffered.
One of the units in Melbourne I lived in had one.
The only difference between that unit and another one was the dryer and my electricity bills were half in the one without the clothes dryer.
Clothes dryers can uses more electricity than you might think unless you have an energy efficient one.
Even the most energy efficient dryers aren’t great though.
If you have access to a clothesline or buy a clothes rack, hanging your clothes can save money.
It also reduces wear and tear on the clothing compared to dryers.
Make sure you hang them inside out and bring them inside once dry to reduce fading.
This is better for the clothes themselves, but read the instructions for your specific clothing to be sure.
If you have white clothes with stains, the sun is excellent for removing them.
3. Turn Lights Off
Whenever you leave a room, turn the lights off.
Teach your kids to sleep in the dark instead of having lights on overnight or get solar lights you can charge for their rooms.
Often, we turn lights on out of habit when we don’t really need them.
4. Be as Energy Efficient as Possible
Get energy-efficient appliances when you replace your old ones.
Only use your appliances when needed and ensure dishwashers, washing machines etc have full loads.
Use a thermos when making tea and coffee to keep it hot longer instead of wasting cups or needing to reboil the kettle because it goes cold.
Check how much things cost to use in your home and decide if you want to continue to use them as often as you do.
Allow your hair to air dry a little to reduce the amount of time blow drying it.
Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs.
Switch to gas if you can as it is cheaper.
Clean filters in all appliances to ensure they run efficiently.
Learn all the ways to be more efficient with energy in your home.
5. Seal The Gaps
Go through your home and check for gaps such as around door frames, windows and behind appliances.
Seal the gaps to keep heat in during winter and the cold out or keep the cold in and heat out during summer.
You can get tape to do this easily around doors and windows.
Seal vents when not in use as well. I blocked off all central heating vents when they weren’t being used and this helped reduce the bill in one of our homes.
6. Multipurpose Electricity
If you have to use electricity, can it be used for more than one thing?
For example, in winter if you are cooking with the oven, cook more than one thing at a time and do it in the evening to keep the home warmer.
If you need to cook in summer, try using your BBQ or slow cooker outside to keep the house cooler.
When heating or cooling the home, block off areas so you only heat or cool the room you are in.
Or better yet, only heat or cool the person instead of the whole room.
7. Dress Appropriately
Dress down in summer and rug up in winter.
For winter have jackets, scarves, dressing gowns, put socks on your feet, wear ugg boots and get microwavable heat packs to warm yourself up.
If you use the heater, set a timer and make sure you switch it off minutes before you leave instead of leaving it heating until the moment you leave.
You can save 15 to 30 minutes each time you are using it doing it this way.
8. Find Other Hobbies
Instead of sitting in front of the TV, playing on your phone or computer, find something else to do.
The amount of electricity our homes use because of TV, computers and charging devices is scary.
Play games as a family. Read a book.
Go for a walk to explore your local area, hang out with friends, go do something!
9. Keep the Fridge and Freezer Full
Even if it means filling up water bottles to store in there, keeping your fridge and freezer full makes it more energy efficient.
Every time you open the door, cold air escapes.
If the fridge or freezer is empty, it takes a while to cool the air again once the door is closed.
If it is full, most of the cool air stays in, reducing the amount of power used to keep it the right temperature.
10. Make Changes to the Home
Install fans and use them as they are cheaper than air conditioning plus can be used in winter to push hot air down.
Insulate your home to regulate the temperature.
If you live in a hot climate, install a whirlybird to remove hot air from your roof cavity and even out the temperature in your home.
Get garden smart. Select plants which will keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
How do you reduce your electricity bills?
You might also like:
19 ways to keep cool in summer
5 tips to reduce your water bill
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