How to Reduce Your Energy Bills with Smart Appliance Usage
Household appliances account for a significant portion of the average Australian's energy bill. With electricity prices among the highest in the world, Australians have good reason to focus on how they use their appliances. This guide offers practical tips to cut your bills without sacrificing comfort.
The Biggest Energy Users in Your Home
Not all appliances are equal when it comes to energy consumption. Here's roughly how much energy common appliances use:
- Refrigerator: 100-800 kWh per year (runs 24/7)
- Air conditioner: 1-4 kWh per hour (significant in summer and winter)
- Washing machine: 0.3-2 kWh per cycle
- Clothes dryer: 2-4 kWh per cycle
- Dishwasher: 1-2 kWh per cycle
- Electric oven: 1-2 kWh per hour
Knowing which appliances use the most power helps you prioritise where to focus your efforts.
Fridge and Freezer Tips
- Set your fridge temperature to 3-5°C and your freezer to -15 to -18°C. Every degree colder uses about 5% more energy.
- Keep your fridge well-stocked but not overloaded — it maintains temperature better when reasonably full.
- Clean the door seals regularly. A leaking seal forces the compressor to work harder.
- Keep the coils at the back clean and dust-free.
- Avoid placing your fridge in direct sunlight or next to the oven.
Washing Machine Tips
- Use cold water for most washes. Modern detergents work well in cold water and you save significant energy on water heating.
- Always run full loads. A half-full washing machine uses nearly as much energy as a full one.
- Use the eco or quick wash setting for lightly soiled clothes.
- Choose a machine with a 5-star energy rating for maximum efficiency.
Dryer Tips
- Use the dryer's moisture sensor (if available) to avoid over-drying.
- Clean the lint filter before every load — a clogged filter forces the dryer to work harder.
- Spin clothes at the highest spin speed your washing machine allows before transferring to the dryer.
- Dry multiple loads in a row to take advantage of residual heat in the drum.
- Consider a heat pump dryer — they use 50-60% less energy than conventional dryers.
Dishwasher Tips
- Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
- Use the eco cycle for everyday loads.
- Skip the heated drying cycle and air-dry instead by opening the door after the wash cycle.
- Use a dishwasher that has a 5-star water and energy rating.
Air Conditioner Tips
- Set the thermostat to 24-26°C for cooling and 18-20°C for heating. Each degree of difference adds about 10% to running costs.
- Use the timer to pre-cool or pre-heat before you arrive home, rather than running it all day.
- Clean or replace the filters every 3 months.
- Use ceiling fans to distribute conditioned air more efficiently.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
If your appliances are more than 10 years old, upgrading to modern, high-star-rated models can save you hundreds of dollars a year in running costs. Oceania Appliances carries a wide range of energy-efficient certified refurbished and new appliances with free delivery across NSW. Visit oceaniaappliances.com.au to browse our range.