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Simple ways to save on energy bills this spring
30 August 2018
Simple ways to save on energy bills this spring
With spring upon us Ausgrid is urging customers to take some simple steps to save on their energy bills.
Ausgrid energy efficiency expert Dr Robert Simpson said households can save simply by making use of the warmer weather and ditching the clothes dryer.
Clothes dryers are big energy users costing about $1 per cycle for a 5 kilogram dryer with a 2.5 star rating. This can add as much as $200 on energy bills per year for households which use it for just four loads per week. Turn the dryer off and use the sun instead.
Dr Simpson said.
Household energy use is typically lower in spring because of milder temperatures.
“It’s the perfect time to pack away those plug-in heaters. An oil column heater left on unnecessarily on a thermostat setting or timer could be costing you up to $20 a week”, Dr Simpson said.
The warmer weather is a good reminder to get your home and appliances ready now for the summer.
If you’re doing a spring clean at home make sure you include your air conditioners filter.
“Air conditioners with a dirty filter will have to work harder to cool your room and that means higher running costs.
“Clean or replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and consider having the system serviced to make sure it’s running efficiently come summer time”, he said.
If you’re considering buying a new air conditioner, make sure you seek advice and choose the right size for your needs. Remember a bigger system will cost more to run. Buying a high star rated model will save you up to $100 a year in running costs.
Finally, do a walk around and switch off any appliances that are not being used, preferably at the power point, to eliminate standby power.
Turning off appliances like your TV, gaming consoles and computer off at the wall rather than leaving them in standby mode can save you up to $80 per year.
