As you relax and enjoy the holiday celebrations, keep cool and comfortable without an unexpected bill at the end of the season. We want to empower you to waste less and save more with small changes that can make a big difference to your energy bill. We know you’ll love these savvy summer energy tips as much as we do.
To chill, or not to chill
Do you use an extra fridge or freezer to cater for visitors over the holiday period? For the average household, this appliance guzzles more energy than any other. By skipping the dedicated drinks fridge or simply unplugging it after the festivities are over, you could save up to $2001 on your annual energy bill.
If you like to entertain, chances are you’ve already invested in outdoor coverings such as pergolas, gazebos, shade cloths or awnings for endless summer celebrations. If you position these close enough to the house so that they shade windows and walls from direct sunlight too, you’ll also reduce the load on your air conditioner by keeping the inside of your house cooler. Three cheers for lower energy bills!
Pool time(rs)
If your home is included in the one in six Aussie homes with a pool, 18% of your energy usage could be sucked away by your pool and spa2. Install timers for any pumps, filters and water heaters, consider time-shifting these appliances or even lowering the settings to suit the season.
Let the sunshine in
Make the most of Canberra’s bright blue summer days by opting to dry your laundry outside. Skip the clothes dryer and the red-hot rays will have your clothes dry in no time–no electricity required.
Say good-bye to stand-by
From large TVs to internet modems, this year has seen us use our home office and entertainment systems more than ever, but these are also some of your home’s most energy-intensive appliances2. If you plan to travel or take time off work over the summer holidays, give your appliances a break too by switching them off at the wall. This reduces stand-by usage—something that can add 10% more to your energy bill every year2.
If you’re making any home office upgrades for the new year, research devices that can do more than one function (like a multi-function printer), check the energy rating label and if you can, work from a laptop. The average desktop computer can use anywhere from 90W–200W, costing up to $150 a year in running costs3. As portable devices, laptops are designed to be highly energy efficient to optimise battery life when away from the plug.
Interested about other ways to harness the summer rays? Click here to read more about our advice about solar power.
Looking for more ways to save? Check out our ‘Power to save’ booklet or have a chat to your local ActewAGL energy expert on 13 14 93.
References
3Calculations from www.energyrating.gov.au