How to Reduce Your Electricity Bill with Smarter Appliance Use
Home appliances account for a significant portion of your electricity bill — typically 30–40% of household energy consumption. The good news is that smarter habits and a few simple upgrades can make a real difference without sacrificing comfort. Here are practical tips for every major appliance.
Fridge and Freezer
Your fridge runs 24/7, making it one of the biggest energy consumers in the home.
- Keep the fridge at 3–4°C and the freezer at -18°C — colder than necessary wastes energy
- Keep the fridge at least 2/3 full — thermal mass helps maintain temperature. If you have a half-empty freezer, fill the gaps with water bottles
- Check door seals — a leaking seal forces the fridge to work constantly. Test it by closing the door on a piece of paper — if the paper slides out easily, the seal needs replacing
- Allow hot food to cool before refrigerating — putting hot food in raises the internal temperature significantly
- Keep the coils clean — dust on the rear coils reduces efficiency
- Give the fridge ventilation space — at least 5cm clearance on the sides and back
Washing Machine
- Wash in cold water — modern detergents work at cold temperatures. Heating water accounts for 90% of the energy used by a washing machine. Switching from hot to cold water can reduce washing machine energy use by up to 90%
- Always run full loads — a half-full machine uses almost as much energy as a full one
- Use the economy or eco cycle — uses less water and energy for most loads
- Spin at higher speed — a faster spin extracts more water, meaning less drying time and energy
Dryer
- Clean the lint filter every load — a blocked filter forces the dryer to work harder and longer
- Dry full loads — same principle as washing machines
- Dry similar-weight items together — light items dry faster; mixing heavy and light items means lighter items overdry while heavy items are still wet
- Consider a heat pump dryer if you use your dryer frequently — uses 50–60% less energy than a conventional dryer
Dishwasher
- Only run full loads
- Use the economy or eco cycle — for typical day-to-day loads, the eco cycle uses significantly less water and energy
- Turn off the heated drying function and let dishes air dry instead — this alone can reduce dishwasher energy use by 15–25%
- Scrape, don't rinse — modern dishwashers don't require pre-rinsing. Pre-rinsing by hand wastes water
Air Conditioner
- Set to 24–25°C for cooling — every degree below 24°C increases energy use by approximately 10%
- Use a timer or smart control — turn the aircon off 30 minutes before you leave or go to sleep
- Clean the filter regularly — a blocked filter forces the unit to work harder. Clean it every 4–8 weeks during heavy use
- Close doors and windows — don't cool/heat the whole neighbourhood
- Use ceiling fans in conjunction — fans make a room feel cooler, allowing you to set the thermostat 2–3 degrees warmer
When to Upgrade for Better Efficiency
If your appliances are more than 10–12 years old, the most effective energy-saving step may be to replace them. Modern appliances are significantly more energy efficient than those from 10 years ago. At Oceania Appliances, we can show you the energy star ratings on our ex-display and graded stock to help you compare options. Free delivery across Sydney.