50 Energy Saving Tips
for Australian Households

From simple daily changes to major home upgrades, discover proven ways to reduce your electricity bill. These tips have helped thousands of Australian families save $200-800 annually.

$200-300 Simple changes
$400-600 Medium upgrades
$800+ Major investments

Quick Wins: Start Saving Today

Simple changes you can make right now to start reducing your electricity bill

1

Switch to LED Bulbs

Save $10-15/bulb/year

Replace all incandescent and CFL bulbs with LEDs. They use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. For the average Australian home, this saves $80-120 annually.

2

Unplug Standby Devices

Save $50-100/year

TVs, computers, and appliances in standby mode still consume power. Unplug devices when not in use or use power boards with switches to cut phantom loads.

3

Adjust Your Thermostat

Save $100-200/year

Set heating to 18-20°C and cooling to 24-26°C. Each degree change can save 5-10% on heating/cooling costs, which represent 40% of most electricity bills.

4

Use Cold Water for Washing

Save $30-50/year

90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water. Modern detergents work effectively in cold water, and your clothes will last longer too.

5

Close Curtains and Blinds

Save $40-80/year

Block hot sun in summer and keep warm air in during winter. Well-positioned curtains can reduce heating and cooling needs by 10-15%.

6

Air Dry Your Clothes

Save $80-150/year

Clothes dryers are energy-hungry appliances. Australia's climate makes air drying possible year-round in most areas. Use dryers only when necessary.

Appliance Efficiency Tips

Get more from your existing appliances while using less energy

Heating & Cooling (40% of bills)

7. Clean air conditioner filters monthly - Dirty filters make systems work harder
8. Use ceiling fans with air conditioning - Allows 2-3°C higher thermostat setting
9. Zone your heating/cooling - Only heat/cool rooms you're using
10. Service your air conditioner annually - Improves efficiency by 5-15%
11. Use programmable thermostats - Automatic temperature control saves 10-15%

Kitchen Appliances (20% of bills)

12. Keep your fridge at 3-5°C - Each degree colder uses 5% more energy
13. Don't put hot food in the fridge - Let it cool first to reduce workload
14. Use microwaves for small portions - More efficient than ovens for reheating
15. Match pot size to element size - Prevents heat waste when cooking
16. Use pressure cookers - Reduce cooking time by up to 70%

Water Heating (25% of bills)

17. Take shorter showers - Each minute saves 10L of hot water
18. Fix leaky hot water taps - A dripping tap wastes 2000L annually
19. Insulate your hot water tank - Reduces heat loss by 25-45%
20. Set water heater to 60°C - Hot enough for safety, not wastefully hot
21. Use timers on electric hot water - Heat only when needed

Home Improvement Investments

Upgrades that pay for themselves through energy savings

Insulation Upgrades

Cost: $1,500-4,000 Payback: 3-7 years Save: $200-500/year
22. Ceiling insulation - Most cost-effective upgrade
23. Wall insulation - Significant impact in extreme climates
24. Floor insulation - Important for elevated homes
25. Window film - Reduces heat gain in summer

Solar Power Systems

Cost: $3,000-8,000 Payback: 4-8 years Save: $800-1,500/year
26. 6.6kW system size - Sweet spot for most homes
27. North-facing panels - Maximum generation in Australia
28. Quality inverters - Impact long-term performance
29. Battery storage - Maximize self-consumption

Efficient Appliances

Cost: $500-3,000 Payback: 2-10 years Save: $50-300/year
30. Inverter air conditioners - 30-50% more efficient
31. Heat pump hot water - 3x more efficient than electric
32. Induction cooktops - More efficient than electric elements
33. Energy Star appliances - Choose highest ratings

Smart Technology Solutions

Use technology to automate energy savings

Smart Home Devices

34. Smart power boards - Automatically cut standby power
35. Smart thermostats - Learn your patterns and optimize automatically
36. Motion sensor lights - Lights only when needed
37. Smart water heater controllers - Heat water when electricity is cheapest

Energy Monitoring

38. Home energy monitors - Real-time usage feedback
39. Smart meter apps - Track daily usage patterns
40. Appliance energy meters - Identify energy hogs
41. Solar monitoring systems - Optimize solar generation and usage

Seasonal Energy Saving Strategies

Adapt your energy usage to Australian seasons

Summer (Dec-Feb)

42. Use fans before air conditioning - Fans use 90% less energy
43. Cook outdoors or use microwave - Avoid heating the house
44. Close blinds during the day - Block heat before it enters
45. Switch to cold water washing - No need for warm water in summer

Winter (Jun-Aug)

46. Let sunshine in during the day - Free heating from the sun
47. Close doors to unused rooms - Heat only the spaces you use
48. Wear warm clothes indoors - Allows lower thermostat settings
49. Use draft stoppers - Prevent warm air escaping
50

The Most Important Tip: Compare Your Electricity Plan

All the energy efficiency in the world won't help if you're on an expensive electricity plan. The single biggest saving for most Australian households comes from switching to a better electricity plan.

73% of households overpay
$376 average potential savings
60 sec to check your bill

Your Energy Saving Action Plan

Prioritize these changes for maximum impact

Week 1

Compare Your Electricity Plan

Upload your bill to see if you're overpaying. This single action often saves more than all other tips combined.

Check My Bill
Week 2

Implement Quick Wins

Switch to LEDs, adjust thermostats, unplug standby devices. These changes cost little but save immediately.

Month 1

Optimize Appliance Usage

Implement the appliance efficiency tips. Focus on heating/cooling and hot water systems for biggest impact.

Year 1

Plan Major Upgrades

Research solar panels, insulation, and efficient appliances. Get quotes and plan your investment strategy.

Start With the Biggest Saver

Before implementing these energy saving tips, make sure you're not overpaying for electricity. Most Australian households can save $200-500 annually just by switching to a better plan.

Upload your bill and see your savings potential in 60 seconds