5 ways to cut down on your energy bill

Bessie Hassan | Money expert at finder.com.au

Research from finder.com.au has found that 60% of Aussies are finding that their energy bills are too expensive and 15% are actually struggling to pay them. This is why trying to reduce your energy spend is becoming increasingly important.

With the price of energy only set to rise, it’s important to find ways to reduce your consumption so that you can save money on your bills. Here are six tips and tricks to help you cut down on costs.

Also read: How much?? Bank of Mum and Dad lending ‘billions’ to offsprings

• Think about going solar

If you’re looking to save money on electricity in the long run, switching to solar is the way to go. Even though this doesn’t reduce the amount of energy you actually use, you’ll be sustainably sourcing your own. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, but it’ll mean you’ll be paying less too. However, solar power is definitely a large investment and it may be years before you actually break even and start saving money

• Check the energy rating

If you’re in the market for a new appliance such as a fridge, washing machine or microwave, check the appliance’s energy rating to help save you a heap in the long run. Old appliances are notorious for chewing up electricity, whereas newer appliances tend to be a little more energy efficient. They may be more expensive when you first buy them, but the money you save on your electricity bill will eventually outweigh the extra costs. Most appliances will have a government approved and regulated energy star rating. The higher the rating, the more electricity you can save.

• Don’t leave your appliances on standby

Having to turn everything off at the powerpoint may seem like a huge hassle, but televisions, gaming consoles, microwaves and other household appliances all consume energy, even when they’re not being used. For example, your microwave sucks up electricity just to power it’s digital clock. It might not be a lot, but it’s still money down the drain

To make turning everything off at the end of the day easier, plug your devices into one power strip. For instance, try plugging your television, sound system and gaming console into one power board so that all you have to do at the end of the day is flick a single switch to turn everything off at once.

Also read: The smartphone is eventually going to die, and then things are going to get really crazy

• Don’t overlook the little things

Lighting can make up 15% of your household’s electricity bill. If you’re still using incandescent or halogen lights, it’s time to switch to LED or fluorescent lighting. Energy-saving light bulbs are becoming better and better thanks to new technology. Make sure you compare your options to see which types use the least amount of energy at the most affordable price.

• Shop around for a cheaper rate and look out for bundles

Comparing energy plans can be a tedious task, but if you don’t shop around for a better deal on your electricity or gas bill, you could fall victim to the dreaded “lazy tax”. Make sure to compare your options and make the switch to a cheaper provider, or at least one that offers better discounts. Also consider a bundling your services. If you bundle your electricity and gas together, it usually ends up being cheaper overall.

• Avoid charging your devices overnight

Charging your devices overnight has become the easiest way to make sure they’ll last you through the next day. However, you could be spending a lot more on energy than you need to by leaving your devices to charge for hours on end. Charging one laptop for just six hours every night equals to $51.80 worth of electricity per year. Now imagine if your household had multiple laptops as well as other devices like phones and tablets. You could be spending hundreds of dollars per year just charging your devices. Charging during the day allows you to keep an eye on your devices and unplug them once they’re done. As an additional bonus, this practice will also improve the health of your battery!

—

You don’t have to make a massive change to cut down on your energy bills. It’s the little things that count and by encouraging your entire household to contribute, you can save hundreds on your energy bill over the course of a year.