How to Reduce Your Home's Electricity Bill with Energy-Efficient Appliances
Home appliances account for a significant portion of the average Australian household's electricity bill. Upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances can deliver genuine, ongoing savings. This guide explains how much each appliance type costs to run and how much you can save by upgrading.
How Much Do Appliances Contribute to Your Bill?
According to energy.gov.au, the approximate breakdown of household energy use in Australia is:
- Heating and cooling: 40%
- Water heating: 25%
- Refrigeration: 7–10%
- Washing and drying: 5–8%
- Lighting: 5–8%
- Cooking: 3–5%
- Standby power: 3–5%
- Other appliances: remainder
Air Conditioner: The Biggest Opportunity
Heating and cooling is the largest single cost category. Upgrading from an old, inefficient air conditioner to a modern inverter unit with a high star rating can cut cooling and heating costs by 30–50%.
An old 3.5kW non-inverter split system might consume 1,400 watts per hour of operation. A modern Daikin FTXM inverter model at the same capacity may consume as little as 600–800 watts in moderate conditions. For a household running the air conditioner 8 hours per day for 90 days per year at 30 cents/kWh:
- Old system: 1,400W × 8h × 90 days × $0.30 = $302 per year
- New inverter: 700W average × 8h × 90 days × $0.30 = $151 per year
- Saving: ~$151 per year
Refrigerator: Runs 24/7
Your fridge runs continuously. A 15-year-old fridge might consume 450–600 kWh per year. A modern 5-star 500L Samsung or Fisher & Paykel may use only 280–350 kWh per year.
- Old fridge: 550 kWh × $0.30 = $165 per year
- New fridge: 320 kWh × $0.30 = $96 per year
- Saving: ~$70 per year
Washing Machine: Water and Energy
A modern front-loader uses approximately 50–60 litres per cycle vs 120–170 litres for an old top-loader. At 3 washes per week:
- Old top-loader water: 150L × 156 cycles = 23,400L/year (at $2/kL = $47/year water)
- New front-loader water: 55L × 156 cycles = 8,580L/year = $17/year water
- Energy savings also apply, particularly if you use hot wash cycles
Dishwasher: More Efficient Than Hand Washing
A modern 5-star dishwasher uses approximately 10–12 litres per cycle. Hand washing the equivalent load uses 20–50+ litres. Modern dishwashers also have eco/half-load modes that further reduce consumption.
Key Tips for Reducing Appliance Running Costs
- Check the Energy Star rating before you buy — each star represents approximately 10–15% less energy use
- Use cold wash for most loads — switching from 60°C to cold saves 90% of the washing machine's energy for that cycle
- Use appliances off-peak — delay-start functions on washing machines and dishwashers let you run overnight on lower tariffs (if your plan has time-of-use pricing)
- Keep fridge seals in good condition — worn seals allow warm air in, forcing the compressor to work harder
- Service your air conditioner annually — clean filters and coils improve efficiency by 10–20%
- Use ceiling fans with air conditioning — circulating air means you can set the thermostat 2–4°C warmer/cooler, reducing run time
Upgrade Your Appliances at Oceania Appliances
We carry energy-efficient models from all major brands. We can advise on the most energy-efficient models in each category. Visit our Wetherill Park showroom or contact us at support@oceaniaappliances.com.au. Open 7 days 10am–8pm.