Energy prices are rising, so now is a good time to consider how you can save on energy costs by following simple tips as explained in the following sections, as well as taking control of energy sources and billing.
The typical average Australian home energy usage can be broken up using the pie chart below.
Above: Average Australian home energy usage.
Note: The following advice is generic in nature and may require undertaking an energy audit to understand your usage better and take the most appropriate action/s to reduce your energy and water consumption.
Save energy by switching to energy-efficient lighting such as Light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
An LED is a semiconductor that converts electricity to light. LEDs consume much less energy and provide the same amount of light as other forms of lighting technology. Ultimately, it will save you money.
Remember to turn off lights when you're not in the room or they are not necessary to be left on. Take advantage of using natural light wherever possible.
Heat and cool your home with a Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner. Isolate the heating or cooling to the areas of the house you spend the most time in rather than heating and cooling the entire home.
Set your air conditioner (A/C) or heater as below:
- Winter: 18-20°C
- Summer: 23-25°C
Every 1°C increase in temperature can increase the heating component of your power bill by up to 10%.
Where possible, use fans with air conditioners (or better yet, fans alone without A/C) to circulate warm air in winter and cool air in summer.
Prioritise personal heating with items like electric blankets or heated throw rugs rather than heating an entire room. Personal heating options cost less to run per hour.
Stop draughts around doors and windows by sealing gaps.
For hot water systems, adjust the thermostat to 60°C for storage and 50°C for an instantaneous system.
- Take short showers to minimise hot water usage
- Do not wash laundry in hot water and use cold water instead
- Consider installing energy-efficient heat pumps when replacing hot water systems
Find out more on how to select efficient hot water systems here.
Generally, appliances consume about 25% of home energy usage. Savings can be achieved by selecting the most energy-efficient appliances for your home.
The points below can be considered when selecting appliances:
- Size and power suitable for your needs
- Running cost of the appliances
- Find the most energy and water-efficient appliances
Energy-Efficient Appliances/Equipment
Check the energy rating label when you buy a new appliance. The more stars, the cheaper it will be to run.
The link below contains more information on the energy rating label. You will also be able to access the energy rating calculator.
Understand the Energy Rating Label
Fridges & Freezers
Consider the following points when running a fridge/freezer to save on energy:
- The size of the fridge should be selected based on the usage
- Set your fridge temperature between 3°C and 4°C
- Set your freezer temperature between -15°C and -18°C
- Turn off any additional fridges or freezers when they're not needed and maybe think of selling them
Dishwashers
Try to select a dishwasher that is more efficient. I.e. uses less energy and less water. Operate your dishwasher on the economy cycle. If you have a large stock of dishes, use them throughout the week and slowly build up the load in the dishwasher and only use it once it's fully loaded.
Washing Machines
Consider the following points when running a washing machine:
- Front loaders are generally more expensive to buy but use less energy and water
- Use cold water
- Use them at full loads - the amount of energy and water usage will be the same for partial or light loads
- Don't use the dryer unless necessary - dry clothes on the line as dryers consume lots of energy
Save Standby Power
Switch off appliances at the wall when not in use as they consume energy even in standby mode.
Solar PV & Battery
A solar panel consists of a photovoltaic (PV) cell. The heat and light from the sun is absorbed by the PV cell and converted into direct current (DC) electricity.
The solar inverter is a device that converts DC electricity into alternating current (AC) for use at home. When you have a home PV system, your appliances will be operated using solar power instead of importing electricity from the grid. This will reduce consumption on the power from the grid.
Because solar PV is dependent on the sun, it doesn't generate electricity all the time, but it does generate during the day when people generally need it the most.
You can maximise your usage of solar power by setting appliances to come on during the daytime (e.g. pool filter, dishwasher, washing machine).
Solar energy comes with a few environmental and economic benefits such as:
- Reducing reliance the energy generated from coal - reducing your carbon emissions/footprint
- Improving the resale value of your home
- Helps lower energy cost
- Financial incentives
Above: Solar PV module diagram. Image sourced from The Clean Energy Council.
In cases where the output of the solar PV is greater than the power required by the home, the excess electricity will be sent back to the main electricity grid or to the battery if available. Generation, consumption and exportation can be monitored via a smart meter.
How to buy solar
Batteries
Battery storage allows you to store any excess (and not required for usage) energy generated by solar panels during the day so you can utilise it in the evening or during other times when there is no sun, rather than sending that energy back to the main grid.
The feed-in tariff paid by your energy retailer for excess electricity generated by household solar PV is very low compared to the cost of buying power from the grid. This makes storing the energy you generate from solar panels for future use in your own home more economical.
Above: Diagram of a solar PV and DC-couple battery storage system. Image sourced from The Clean Energy Council.
There are two main ways a battery storage system connects to a house - DC (Direct Current) coupled and AC (Alternating Current) coupled.
It sounds exciting and it can provide several benefits when used in conjunction with an existing or new solar PV system. However, the size of the battery will depend on the size of your solar PV system, electricity usage and electricity tariff.
Your solar retailer or designer can help you to choose an appropriate system size based on your requirements.
GreenPower
If you rent or live in an apartment, then GreenPower is the easiest and quickest way to go renewable and reduce emissions.
GreenPower is a government accredited and audited green energy program which is available to all resident in Australia. It provides a more sustainable energy alternative to everyone, even if you can't install solar panels.
For more information, visit Renewable Energy Made Easy.
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Solar Rebates - Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
These certificates are eligible for PV systems sized up to 100 kW. It helps reduce the upfront cost of the solar installation.
The number of certificates generated is based on the system's installation location, installation date and the amount of electricity produced by solar PV over a single maximum deeming period. The deeming period decreases by one year, every year until 2030.
Usually, the STC component is included in the solar PV system quotation. One certificate is equal to 1 megawatt hour of eligible renewable energy generated. You can find out more about this here.
NSW Government is offering incentives as part of the Energy Saving Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, under the Energy Security Safeguard. For more information and to check your eligibility, please refer to the Household Energy Saving Upgrades page.
Household Energy Saving Upgrades FAQs
Apply for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate (retail customers)