Energy efficiency tips

We understand electricity, energy and reading electricity bills can be confusing and sometimes challenging to understand. We have put together some saving tips and information to help you better understand where you use electricity in the home and office, how to read our bills and what to look for when buying appliances.

Fridges and freezersFridge

Before buying a fridge or freezer you should first decide on what size and features you need. If you are living by yourself, a small single door fridge may be sufficient for your needs, whereas a family of five may need a much larger fridge.

  • Check the fridge door seals are in good condition and there are no leaks. You may need to have them replaced.
  • Place your fridge/freezer in a cool position, away from the stove or oven. Leave a sufficient gap at the back to ensure there is a free flow of air past the coil.
  • Help your fridge work efficiently: Keep it clean inside and out. Don't let dust build up on the condenser coil at the back.
  • Turn off a spare fridge or i.e. bar/camping fridge when you are not using them.
  • Keeping your fridge full means there’s less room for warm air to slip in when you open the door. So if you’ve got any big gaps, fill them with containers of water. But don’t jam things in – cool air still needs to be able to circulate around the whole fridge easily.
  • Set your fridge to between 3°C and 4°C and your freezer between -15°C and -18°C. Each degree lower uses 5% more energy.
  • When going away for long periods, empty, clean and turn off the fridge and leave the door open.

Fridges and freezers information at energyrating.gov.au

CoolingSplit system air conditioner

There are various types of air conditioners that you can buy. By choosing the right size and energy efficient air conditioner can lower your  electricity bills.
  • Run your air conditioner on 24 degrees Celsius or above and use the fan as well. This reduces the humidity, cools the air and uses less power than an air conditioner running by itself on a lower temperature setting.
  • Adjust the louvres on the air conditioner to face upwards to cool (hot air rises, cool air drops)
  • Clean the air conditioners regularly to ensure the system is running at its best
  • Keep you windows and doors closed and cover up windows with curtains or blinds. If your curtains or blinds are open there is nothing stopping the sunlight from heating your home, therefore the air conditioner has to work harder to cool the home, which means higher bills.
  • Ensure cool air can’t escape and close all windows and doors to rooms not in need of cooling.
  • Ensure your air conditioner is the correct size for the room/area it is cooling. Allow 130 kilo watts (refrigerative) per square metre of floor space for daytime cooling and 80 watts (refrigerative) per square metre of floor space for night time cooling
  • Where possible insulate your rooms – particularly the ceiling, walls and window dressings – to reduce heat transfer into or out of the house.
  • In the summer / wet season sleep under a sheet rather than a doona, instead of lowering the temperature
  • Place the air conditioner on the shady side of the building
  • Where possible plant trees and shrubs around your home / business to create cooling shade on the walls, over windows and roof.

Cooling tips at yourhome.gov.au

Cooling information at energyrating.gov.au

HeatingHeater

Heating systems can account for as much as 50% of energy use in an office space or building. Choosing the right size heating system for your room size and needs can reduce the amount of energy you use.

Check the fridge door seals are in good condition and there are no leaks. You may need to have them replaced.

  • For heating, set the temperature as low as comfortable in winter/dry season i.e. 18° - 20° degrees - for each extra degree of heating will increase your energy use by 5-10%
  • If your warm air is escaping from your home in the dry season, uses door snakes, curtains or blinds to stop warm air from escaping.
  • In the winter / dry season add an extra doona or blanket on, before turning up the heater.
  • Clean heater filters regularly to ensure system is running at its best

Heating appliances information at energyrating.gov.au

Entertainment Gaming Console

Devices are used all over the home and are usually forgotten when it comes to reducing energy in the home or office. They can account for up to 10% of your electricity bill. TV's, gaming consoles, laptops still use electricity even when they are turned off. This is known as phantom power.

  • Try unplugging them when they are not in use or use a smart strip to lower the electricity use.
  • Switch off and unplug your games consoles after each use and use a monitor with a high energy rating
  • Opt for a console which uses less energy
  • Lower your TV and laptop screens brightness, the brighter it is the more energy the device uses
  • Set your TV to energy save mode
  • Turn off the laptop when it is not being used
  • Turn off Bluetooth on your laptop when not in use
  • Use the power saving features on your monitors and computers
  • Unplug your phone charger from the wall when not in use

Consumer appliances information at energyrating.gov.au  

Dishwashers 220589

A dishwasher can save more energy if it is connected to cold water only. The machine heats the water to 20°-50° degrees for the wash cycle and cold water is used for rinsing. A dishwasher consumes more energy if it is connected to hot water only as it will use hot water (about 60 degrees) for both washing and rinsing.

  • If you have solar panels installed turn your dishwasher on during the day to use the sun's energy
  • Turn your dishwasher on outside of peak hours, check with your retailer for your peak periods and tariffs
  • Wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher and use the economy cycle. Running half loads doubles your water use and electricity costs.
  • Remove large food particles from crockery. If you are going to wash the plates immediately, no pre-rinsing is necessary.
  • Select the lowest temperature or shortest program on your machine to save water and electricity costs.
  • Use the detergent and rinse aid recommended by the dishwasher manufacturer and do not exceed the recommended quantity.
  • You can cut the drying cycle by opening the door after the final rinse and letting the dishes air dry.
  • Make sure you switch the program off before opening the door.
  • Clean the dishwasher filter regularly

Dishwasher information at energyrating.gov.au  

Lighting Lighting

A small change can make a big difference
  • To reduce your lighting bill, you can take advantage of natural light through the day and use lamps in the evening
  • For hardwired lighting, consider changing your lights to LED bulbs. A good quality LED can use about 75% less energy than a halogen light bulb and lasts much longer.
  • Turn lights off when they are not needed.
  • Installing dimmers on your lights can help you use less energy
  • Fit timers and motion sensors ;in areas that are used rarely so your lights are only when you need them.

Halogen bulbs

  • These are a type of incandescent light and are generally much cheaper to buy. However, they are a lot more expensive to run and need to be replaced more often.

Fluorescent lights

  • Fluorescent lights uses (remove the S) more energy to start a light than it does to run it. Rule of thumb if you will be out of the room for 15 minutes or less leave the light on if you will be out of the room for more than 15 minutes turn it off.

Lighting information at yourhome.gov.au  

Washing machinesWashing machine

Washing machines have various energy and water-saving functions. Combination washer/dryer machines are also available. Front loaders are generally more expensive, but uses less energy, water and detergent. Top loaders are generally cheaper to buy and have shorter wash cycles, but can be harsher on clothes. When buying a washing machine look for capacity, water used per cycle, energy consumption and cycle time.

  • Washing your clothes in cold water will save considerably on water heating costs.
  • Wash you items outside of peak tariff hours, check with your retailer for peak periods.
  • If you have solar panels wash your items during the day to utilise the suns energy.
  • Wash full loads rather than several smaller loads. You will achieve betters results if you group clothes by colour or fabric and by how dirty they are.
  • Use the load sensing technology adjusts the program to suit the size of the load. This means the machine only uses the amount of water and electricity needed for the load, minimising waste and cost.
  • When choosing a washing machine
  • Wash a group of lightly soiled items on a shorter cycle rather than adding something dirtier and using a heavier cycle.

Washing machines information at energyrating.gov.au  

220600

Pool pumps

Running a pool can be expensive, applying these simple steps can help reduce your electricity usage.

  • Regularly clean your skimmer basket, pool pump and filter and clear your intake gates of debris. This will reduce the load on your pumps so it works more efficiently and uses less energy.
  • Run the pump outside of peak hours, check with your retailer when the peak times are.
  • Choose a multi or variable speed pump instead of single speed pool pump
  • Use solar energy to your best advantage and run the pump during the day.
  • Run the pump on a timer.
  • Proper maintenance and upkeep can improve your pump's efficiency and reduce the load on your pump so it works more efficiently and uses energy.

Pool pumps information at energyrating.gov.au

Office equipmentTV and remote

Saving energy can make a real difference to your business. Reducing energy will lower electricity bills whilst helping to save the environment at the same time.

  • Turn off or set office equipment to power down when not in use - a single computer and monitor left on for 24 hours a day can cost over $200 a year.
  • Setting computers, monitors and copiers to ‘sleep mode’ when not in use can help reduce energy costs.
  • Connect computers, monitors, fax machines and other peripherals to one power board and then turn it off when not in use.
  • Invest in energy-efficient equipment. When upgrading or adding new equipment, look for the Energy Star® symbol, which indicates the equipment meets federal standards for energy efficiency.
  • Disconnect unnecessary or unused equipment.
  • When purchasing new computers, consider laptops over desktop computers. Laptops consume about 90% less energy than standard desktop computers. If a larger screen is needed connect your laptop to an energy-star certified monitor.
  • Replace old CRT type monitors for LCD or LED screens.
  • Use signage and posters to encourage staff to turn off lights, fans, radios, computers, speakers and photocopiers at the end of the day.
  • Service equipment regularly
  • Keep the freezer full but give the fridge some breathing space. Keeping the fridge about 70% full, allows air to circulate and reduces air leaks when the door opens.
  • Fix the fridge seal if you are noticing condensation outside the fridge. Doors not properly sealed are the most common energy drain for fridges.

Computers and monitors information at energyrating.gov.au  

Air fryers

Air fryers are a popular appliance for those looking to cook healthier meals and snacks at home. Not only do they use less oil they can also help you save energy in the kitchen

  • Preheat the air fryer before cooking. Just like with a traditional oven, preheating your air fryer can help reduce cooking time and save energy. Most air fryers have a preheat setting, so be sure to use it before adding your food.
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Overcrowding the basket can cause your food to cook unevenly and require longer cooking times. This can increase energy usage and may even result in less-than-perfect results. To avoid overcrowding, make sure to leave enough space between the pieces of food in the basket.
  • Use the right amount of oil. While air fryers allow you to cook with less oil than traditional methods, they still require some oil for best results. Using too much oil can cause your food to become greasy and may increase cooking times. On the other hand, using too little oil can result in dry, unappetizing food. To find the right amount of oil for your air fryer, refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
  • Cook multiple dishes at once in your air fryer. This can help reduce the overall cooking time and save energy.

Kettles
Kettle

Boiling your kettle several times a day can add up to a surprising amount of energy. To minimise energy usage here are some helpful tips to consider..

  • Be mindful of the amount of water you fill in your kettle. By boiling only the amount of water you need, you can save on the energy and time required for boiling larger volumes of water. Most kettles have markings on the side to indicate the water level, enabling you to easily determine the appropriate amount. If your in the market for a new kettle, opt for an energy-efficient model and choose the right size for your needs.
  • Over time, mineral deposits can accumulate inside your kettle, making it work harder to heat the water. To address this issue, a simple solution is to boil water with half a cup of lemon juice and then perform another cycle with just water. This helps remove the mineral build-up and ensures your kettle continues to operate efficiently.

Ovens
Oven

When it comes to the amount of energy used in homes, the kitchen frequently takes centre stage. Ovens use a lot of energy when compared to other appliances. Whether your a baker on the side or a passionate cook, increasing oven efficiency may result in significant energy savings and positive environmental effects

  • Avoid opening the door while cooking to reduce the heat from escaping
  • Keep your oven clean and well maintained
  • Check the oven seals are tight fitting as this is essential to keep the heat from escaping
  • Turn the oven off 5-15 minutes before the end of the cooking time, the leftover heat in the oven will finish the job if you don't open the door
  • Cook several dishes at once, this will make sure all the space and heating is being used.

Hot water systems

Hot water systems are one of the biggest energy users in the home ranging from 15% to 30% of the bill. Often hot water systems overheat water and in doing so costs you money.

  • Depending on your needs, try switching your electric or gas hot water system off when not in use, for example when you go to work or on on holidays.
  • Check the temperature on your hot water system to ensure it is at a minimum of 60° degrees celsius. This is to ensure the hot water does not grow mould or bacteria in it. Note hot water temperature can be set at 60° – 65° degrees celsius.
  • If your hot water system is electric, make sure it is heating your water during off peak periods when it is cheaper. Check your retailer for peak periods and tariff options.
  • For solar hot water systems, switch off the booster if we have long periods of sunlight.

Water heating information at yourhome.gov.au  

Water heating information at energyrating.gov.au  

What energy consumption means

Energy consumption is how much electricity a model uses each year, in kilowatt hours (kWh).

It's based on standardised testing – required by law and conducted in line with the official Australian and New Zealand Standards.

These tests are based on how most people use their appliance, but you may use your appliance differently. This means the actual amount of energy your appliance uses may be different to the label.

An assumption of how often a product is used is included on the Energy Rating Label. For example, the number of washes per week for clothes washers, or daily viewing hours for televisions.

You can use the energy consumption number to compare any model – no matter their size or features.

TIP: Choosing an appliance with a lower energy consumption will save on your electricity  bill.

Energy Rating Calculator at energyrating.gov.au  

Estimate your running costs

Before buying a fridge or freezer you should first decide on what size and features you need. If you are living by yourself, a small single door fridge may be sufficient for your needs, whereas a family of five may need a much larger fridge.

With the energy consumption number, you can work out the estimated running cost of the appliance by using the following formula.

Annual running cost = Total energy consumption (kWh) × Electricity tariff (dollars per kWh)

For example, if a fridge has an energy consumption of 458 kWh and your electricity tariff is $0.307 per kWh — then the estimated annual running cost is $140.61 (458 kWh x $0.307).

Tips for buying appliances at energyrating.gov.au  

Energy rating labels- What is it?

The star rating is about energy efficiency – that is, how much energy a product uses compared to similar products.

More stars means more efficient, when compared to other models of a similar size and features.

The more stars shown on the Energy Rating Label, the less energy the product will use and the more money you will save on your energy bills.

Most products are given between 1 and 6 stars. Technology keeps getting better as does energy efficiency! This is why nowadays you’ll see some super-efficient models in shops and online with an extra row for stars that go up to 10.

Tip - Choose the size and features you need first, then use the start rating to compare the product / appliance

Understand the Energy Rating Label at energyrating.gov.au