4 Tips to Save on Your Electricity Bill

Bills. Nobody likes getting them, and they always seem to arrive when you’re strapped for cash. No matter how much we dislike it, paying bills is part of our lifestyles, and one we are always looking to reduce. Thankfully, you can limit the damage of your electricity bill with a few simple tips and tricks, leaving you with some extra dollars in your pocket.

1. Turn off Standby Appliances

We all accredit high electricity bills to appliances that are either always running, such as the fridge, or those that use a lot of power, such as air conditioners or washing machines. Surprisingly, it is often devices left on standby that can cause a sharp rise in your energy usage. Devices such as printers, gaming consoles, chargers and even toasters all impact the final price you pay, simply be being left plugged into the wall. By unplugging rarely-used devices and appliances, you could save up to 10% on your electricity bill.

2. Cleaning, Maintenance & Energy Efficiency

Over time, things can deteriorate and break, or just get dirty, and electrical appliances are no exception. However, this lack of maintenance can have a big impact, as loose fridge door seals and blocked air conditioner filters cause the appliances to work harder, requiring more energy and, consequently, more money.

A simple filter clean or DIY replacement project could drastically change the energy efficiency of your household appliances, and could save you a fair amount of money for little effort or cost. Even simple tasks such as regularly emptying the dust bag in your vacuum cleaner could save you money in the long run.

Improving the efficiency of devices, appliances and lightbulbs can also be a sure-fire way of reducing your electricity bill. Replacing lightbulbs with more energy efficient fluorescent lightbulbs can save you money, as can investing in appliances with a higher Energy Star rating. Government and consumer-based websites often have guides and recommendations for the most efficient products available.

3. Check Your Meter

As with any job, mistakes can happen. A misread or incorrect number can make all the difference to your bill, so always check you’re paying for what you’ve used. A simple comparison against your electrical meter is all that is needed. Most of the time, the companies get it right, but it never hurts to check.

4. Home Infrastructure

Your home’s infrastructure could be playing a big part in your electricity bills, as problems such as poor insulation could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year. Insulation helps keep the heat in during the winter, and the heat out during the summer, so the better the insulation, the less work your air conditioner or heater has to do to keep you comfortable year-round.

Similarly, you could swap inside for outside, as the shade under a patio could be cooler than a poorly insulated house, particularly patios specifically designed for Australian homes, as done by companies such as Altec.

Whether you decide to invest in more efficient appliances or become stricter on unnecessary device usage, you can save money on future electricity bills for little to no effort, meaning you have less stress and more money in your back pocket.