How to Reduce Your Appliance Running Costs in Sydney
Sydney electricity prices are among the highest in the country. Your home appliances — fridge, washing machine, dryer, oven and dishwasher — account for a significant portion of your electricity bill. This guide shows you how to use and maintain your appliances to minimise running costs without sacrificing convenience.
Understanding Appliance Energy Use
In a typical Australian household, appliances account for approximately:
- Fridge: 8–12% of household electricity use (runs 24/7)
- Washing machine: 3–5%
- Dryer: 6–10% (if used frequently)
- Dishwasher: 2–4%
- Oven: 2–4%
The fridge and dryer are the highest-impact appliances for ongoing energy costs and are worth focusing on first.
Fridge: Keep It Running Efficiently
- Keep the coils clean: Dusty condenser coils at the back or bottom of your fridge make it work harder. Vacuum them every 6–12 months.
- Check door seals: Worn door seals let cold air escape. Test by closing the door on a piece of paper — if it slides out easily, the seal needs replacing.
- Set the right temperature: Fridge at 3–4°C, freezer at -18°C. Any colder wastes energy.
- Don't put hot food in the fridge: Let food cool to room temperature first to avoid spiking the fridge temperature.
- Keep it full (but not overfull): A fuller fridge maintains temperature better. An overfull fridge blocks airflow.
Washing Machine: Wash Smart
- Use cold water: Heating water accounts for about 90% of the energy used in a wash cycle. Cold water washing is just as effective for most loads with modern detergents.
- Wash full loads: A half-full load uses nearly the same water and energy as a full load. Wait until you have a full load.
- Use the eco or quick wash: For lightly soiled clothes, eco and quick wash programs use significantly less water and energy.
- Use the right amount of detergent: Excess detergent requires longer rinse cycles, using more water and energy.
Dryer: The Biggest Electricity User
- Line dry when possible: Sydney's weather allows line drying most of the year. Even drying some loads outside reduces dryer use significantly.
- Clean the lint filter every load: A blocked lint filter reduces airflow and significantly increases drying time and energy use.
- Spin clothes at high speed first: A higher spin speed in the washing machine removes more water, reducing dryer time needed.
- Upgrade to a heat pump dryer: If you use a dryer frequently, upgrading to a heat pump dryer can cut dryer energy costs by up to 50%.
Dishwasher: Small Changes, Real Savings
- Run full loads only: A dishwasher uses the same amount of water and energy whether it's half or fully loaded.
- Use the eco program: Eco programs use lower temperatures and less water while achieving the same cleaning result.
- Turn off heated dry: Let dishes air-dry by opening the door at the end of the cycle instead. Saves the energy used by the heating element in the drying phase.
- Scrape, don't rinse: Modern dishwashers handle food particles well. Rinsing under the tap before loading wastes water.
Oven: Cook More, Use Less Energy
- Don't preheat longer than needed: Most modern ovens reach temperature in 10–15 minutes. Don't preheat for 30+ minutes unnecessarily.
- Use fan-forced mode: Fan-forced (convection) cooking circulates heat and cooks food up to 25% faster at a lower temperature.
- Cook multiple dishes at once: If the oven is on, fill it. Cooking multiple items simultaneously is far more efficient per item than separate sessions.
- Keep the door closed: Every time you open the oven door, temperature drops by 15–25°C, forcing the oven to reheat.
Upgrade to More Efficient Appliances
If your appliances are more than 10 years old, they're likely significantly less energy-efficient than current models. At Oceania Appliances, we can show you the energy star ratings for every appliance we sell and calculate your expected annual energy savings from upgrading.
Visit us at 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park or shop online. Free Sydney delivery, 3–6 month warranty on every appliance.