energy saving tips

How can I reduce my Energy bill?

There are a number of simple ways for you to reduce your energy consumption and in turn your energy bill.

Energy retailer comparison
Contact your current energy retailer and other energy retailers to see if they can offer a better deal for you.

Heating & Cooling
Reduce the areas that you heat and cool.
Did you know that each degree of extra heating in winter or cooling in summer increases energy consumption by about 5 to 10%?.
Set the thermostat to 18 to 20°C in winter and 25 to 27°C in summer*.
Use natural resources

• In Summer cool your home by shading windows and using night time breezes.
• In Winter heat your home with the sun by opening curtains and blinds
• Shut off rooms that are not being used (exception being home evaporative-cooling system)

Lighting
Turn off lights when not required.
Replace your old incandescent light globes with a more energy efficient alternative

Check your appliances 

• Do you have more than one fridge or freezer? Do they need to be run all the time?
• How old are the appliances? Did you know that new fridges are around 70% more efficient than those made 30 years ago?!
• Turn off appliances rather than leaving them on standby and unplug unused appliances.
• Beautiful day? Hang your washing out instead of using the dryer.
• Check energy ratings when buying new appliances.

Existing Solar

• Have your panels been cleaned?
• Do you have any trees or foliage that may have grown and may now be shading the panels?
• Ensure your system is working every few weeks by checking the inverter or the monitoring system.
• Change of circumstances - Your family has grown? Retired? Working from home? You may be consuming more energy during the day than before.
• Consider a system upgrade of additional panels and/or a battery storage system.
• Can you consume more of your energy during solar production times such as swimming pool pumps, washing, dishwasher etc? Using as much of your solar production as possible will save on paying the higher import rates.

If your system has been installed within the last year, you may need to contact your original installation company to discuss further if you are not satisfied with your system production.

Have a swimming pool?
Review how much energy your pool uses and see if pool pumps and heating can be adjusted to run more cost effectively.
https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/how-much-energy-does-a-swimming-pool-use/

Internet
The internet is also full of useful tips on how to reduce your energy usage.
Including Government websites such as:
https://www.energy.gov.au/household-guides/reduce-energy-bills
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/using-saving-energy



*Source https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/using-saving-energy/easy-energy-saving-tips