Simple Ways to Cut Your Energy Bill Through Smarter Appliance Habits
Household appliances account for a significant share of the average Australian energy bill. The good news is that many of the biggest savings come not from buying new appliances but from using existing ones more intelligently. This guide covers the most effective habits across each major appliance category.
Refrigerator
- Set the temperature correctly — The fridge compartment should be set to 3–4°C and the freezer to -18°C. Many households set their fridge too cold, wasting energy without any benefit
- Keep the coils clean — Dust on the condenser coils at the back or bottom of the fridge forces the compressor to work harder. Vacuum them once or twice a year
- Check the door seal — A leaking door seal means the fridge runs constantly trying to maintain temperature. Test with a piece of paper (see our separate guide)
- Don't overpack or underpack — A fridge that's too full restricts airflow; one that's too empty lacks thermal mass to maintain temperature. Keep it 70–80% full for maximum efficiency
- Let hot food cool before refrigerating — Putting hot food straight into the fridge forces the compressor to work hard to bring the temperature back down
Washing Machine
- Wash in cold water — Up to 90% of a washing machine's energy consumption goes to heating water. Modern detergents clean effectively at 20–30°C. Switching to cold wash for most loads saves significant energy
- Wait for full loads — Running a half-full machine uses almost the same energy as a full load. Wait until you have a full load, or use the half-load setting if your machine has one
- Use the economy cycle — Economy or Eco cycles use lower temperatures and adjusted water usage to clean adequately while using 30–40% less energy than standard cycles
- Spin at higher speed — A higher spin speed (1200–1400 rpm) extracts more water from clothes, reducing dryer time significantly
Dishwasher
- Only run full loads — A dishwasher uses a fixed amount of water and energy per cycle regardless of how full it is. Wait for a full load every time
- Use the economy cycle — The eco cycle on most dishwashers uses less water at lower temperature. It takes longer but uses significantly less energy for lightly soiled loads
- Turn off heated drying — Heated drying adds significant energy use. Switch to air drying (open the door at the end of the cycle) instead
- Scrape, don't rinse — Pre-rinsing dishes before loading wastes water. Scrape food scraps off and load directly
Air Conditioner
- Set to 24–26°C for cooling — Every degree lower than 24°C adds approximately 5–10% to running costs. Set 24–26°C for cooling and 18–20°C for heating
- Use the timer — Program the AC to turn off when you go to sleep and turn on 20 minutes before you wake up rather than running all night
- Clean the filters — Dirty filters restrict airflow and force the unit to work harder. Clean them every 2–4 weeks during heavy use periods
- Close blinds and curtains — Up to 40% of a room's heat gain comes through windows. Closing blinds before the heat of the day significantly reduces the work the AC has to do
Dryer
- Spin clothes at high speed first — Extracting more moisture in the washing machine means less dryer time
- Clean the lint filter every load — A clogged lint filter restricts airflow and extends drying time significantly
- Dry similar fabrics together — Mixing heavy towels with lightweight shirts means lighter items are over-dried while waiting for heavy ones to finish
- Dry outside whenever possible — Free solar energy beats a dryer every time. Even in winter, outdoor line drying on a dry day uses zero electricity
The Bigger Picture: Upgrade When It Makes Sense
An old, inefficient appliance can cost more to run per year than the savings a newer model would bring. A 15-year-old fridge may use 2–3 times as much electricity as a modern equivalent. If you're spending significantly on running costs for an old appliance, the numbers often favour replacement. Oceania Appliances can help you find a quality, efficient appliance at well below new retail price. Free delivery across Sydney.