Easy ways to cut your power bill

The cost of electricity has dramatically increased but there are some easy ways to save on your power bill – from shopping around for the best electricity provider to savvy changes you can make at home. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Look at your energy company

Are you with the same provider you signed up with at uni? (That free $50 was really appealing back then…). Shopping around to a provider that better suits your lifestyle could save you some serious money. Your first stop should be Powerswitch . This free site will help you compare prices between different electricity retailers – then all you have to do is switch over to the most cost-effective provider and wait for the $$$ to roll in.

Turn off lights

It may not seem like a big thing, but you could save some serious dosh over your life by getting into the habit of checking lights before leaving the house. Plus you’ll be helping the environment. Do a quick walk-through before leaving the house for the day and check what electricity is still being used that doesn’t need to be on.

Use the clothesline instead of the dryer

As everyone knows, tumble dryers are among the most power hungry of all household electrical appliances, and can hit your power bill by around $1 per load – it adds up!

Switch off stand-by power

While it may be tedious to turn off every appliance at the power source before heading out for the day, it’s definitely worth doing for longer periods – such as when you’re going away for a holiday. Unplugging a few electrical appliances can save a couple dollars off your power bill over the course of a weekend and substantially more over a week’s holiday. Pulling out the plug during your annual two-week break and a few weekends away means you’ll save enough to splash out on an expensive lipstick.

Remove moisture

Moisture in your home can cause health issues, and it’s expensive to heat moisture-laden air. Dry your clothes outside, use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom and open windows regularly. Use lids on pots and think about installing a steam-stopper on your shower.

If you are able, check under your house for signs of damp or mildew. If you find some or the soil is more like mud than dry dirt you should look into how you can fix underfloor dampness. You can find out more on the Energywise webiste.

Condensation is a problem on single glazed windows. There are a whole range of double glazing options – from DIY available at your local hardware store to retrofitted double glazing. Double glazing also helps with heat loss through the glass

Reduce hot water usage

A hot water laundry cycle can use ten times more power than a cold wash. Reducing your shower time and using an efficient showerhead will also reduce usage.