Perth electricity prices are gradually becoming more and more expensive. According to the 2017 Electricity Price Trends Report, the annual electrical bill across Australian households is $1,576, around $100 more than the previous year. For the majority of homeowners, the electricity bill is the second-largest bill after paying off the mortgage.
While it is a large expense, reducing your electrical bill could be a lot easier than you may think. Check out this list of simple ways to reduce your energy consumption.
Switch Off Electronics
It’s easy to assume that your TV isn’t using any electricity when it’s in stand–by mode, but even while you’re not using an appliance, it’s still using energy. An astounding 75% of your energy use can be caused by electronics that are not fully switched off. One way to resolve this is by using power strips that you turn off when they are not in use.
Switch To Energy Efficient Lighting
Using LED lighting can save you a considerable amount of money over time. LED lights use a much lower wattage and they also have a longer lifespan than other globe types. This makes LED lighting one of the most energy efficient light sources on the market.
Turn Off Lights
Make it a habit to turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. This is a very simple trick that can help you take control of your energy usage. It will also help to keep your home cool as most light bulbs produce heat.
Keep The Sun Out
During the hot months of a Perth summer, your home can heat up very quickly. This forces your air conditioner to work even harder to keep your home cool, chewing up more energy. Keep your curtains and blinds closed during the day or alternatively, invest in tinted window film to assist in cutting down your electrical services bill.
Fill Your Fridge And Freezer
Keeping your fridge and freezer fully stocked up can also help you reduce your electricity bill. The food and drinks will work like insulation and your refrigerator will not need to work as hard to keep cool.
Hand Wash Your Dishes
Stop using your dishwasher in favour of washing your dishes by hand. Depending on how much water you use and the water temperature, eliminating your dishwasher use can save you quite a bit of money.
Turn Off Heat Dry Function
If switching to hand washing simply isn’t an option for you, there are still ways to reduce your electrical usage. Turn off the heat dry function on your dishwasher. This can reduce the energy that is needed to heat the water.
Stop Preheating The Oven
Most of us wait until the oven has reached the desired temperature before we start using it. However, most food with a lengthy cook time does not require a preheated oven. Instead of waiting for the right temperature, begin using your oven straight away.
Check Your Electrical Outlets
Electrical outlets and switches can leak heat and let cool air in, affecting the cooling and heating of the house. You can fix the problem simply by installing electrical outlet sealers behind the outlet or switch. If you feel unsure, you are best off hiring an electrician to insulate your outlets and switches.
Off-peak Hours
Depending on where you live and your provider, you can take advantage of reduced electrical rates during certain off–peak hours. For example, you could use your dishwasher or washing machine during these hours to reduce charges to your bill.
Hot Water System Maintenance
An electric hot water system that is not working efficiently can be detrimental to your energy bill. Regular maintenance by an electrician will let you know if your system needs any repairs and keep you on track to save money.
HVAC System Maintenance
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, and makes up a large proportion of your energy bill. You want to make sure your HVAC system works as well as possible. By having an electrician perform an annual inspection, you will know whether your system is working correctly and if it is using more energy than necessary.
Taking control of your electrical usage simply involves being more mindful of your day to day activities. By implementing a few of these changes today, you will be well on track towards lowering your electrical bill.
