16 Jan 5 Ways to Reduce Your Electric Bill
Introduction
Isn’t Gold Coast one of Australia’s most desirable places to live; with beautiful beaches, theme parks, and near-perfect weather year-round? But maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout your home in this sunny climate comes at a cost – sky-high electricity bills!
Air conditioners working overtime during the hot Gold Coast summers can send your power costs soaring. And with Queensland residential power prices continuing to rise, cutting energy bills is the need of the hour for Gold Coast households.
The good news is that there are many practical ways to reduce your home’s energy use and save big on electricity bills. Use these 7 tips to improve your energy efficiency and cut down on electricity bills!
1.Do an Application Audit
Take a walk through your home and make note of all the appliances and electronics that are plugged in and switched on 24/7. Things like TVs, cable and satellite boxes, phone chargers, computers, printers, and kitchen appliances use power even when in standby mode and not in active use.
This constant phantom energy drain can silently add up to 10% or more to your annual electricity bill! Make it a habit to manually unplug or switch off power strips and outlets when not in use. Smart power boards that automatically sense when appliances are inactive and cut power supplies can also help reduce power waste.
Additionally, you could plug those high electricity drain devices like refrigerators and home entertainment systems into power boards. So that they can be switched off when you’re far from home for extended periods.
2. Swap Out Light Bulbs
The Gold Coast enjoys ample sunshine, with over 300 days of sun per year. Take full advantage by opening drapes and blinds during the day to maximize natural light and minimize the need for artificial lighting. Turn off any unnecessary lights, especially during the day time to reduce power use when sunlight is streaming into rooms.
For nighttime illumination, switch to efficient LED light bulbs throughout your home. LEDs consume at least 75% less electricity than traditional incandescents. They also have a far longer lifespan, meaning fewer costly bulb replacements over time.
To further cut lighting energy waste, use lighting controls like occupancy sensors, dimmers, and timers. Motion sensors automatically turn lights on and off in infrequently used areas. Dimmers allow flexibility to lower light output when less illumination is needed. Timers can be programmed to turn lights on/off at set times.
3. Upgrade Your Home Insulation
Poor insulation allows cooled or heated air to easily escape from your home’s interior out to the exterior. This forces your air conditioning and heaters to work harder and consume more electricity to maintain the desired temperatures.
Evaluate your home’s insulation situation – make sure wall and ceiling insulation meets Australia’s current building regulations, as older homes may be under-insulated.
Also, check for and seal any air leaks that let conditioned indoor air escape outside. Take your time to do this inspection and sealing process thoroughly.
4.Adjust the Thermostat
As a Gold Coast homeowner, you likely already have a modern smart thermostat installed. Take full advantage of its advanced features to maximise energy savings! Most allow you to program customised schedules and settings. You could also set the thermostat 2-3°C higher than your normal comfortable temp. For example, go from 24°C to 26°C. This small change saves energy without getting too warm.
Enable auto-scheduling so the thermostat learns your habits and automatically adjusts the temperature for efficiency. Also, make sure that the smart recovery and pre-cooling features are on so the home reaches your desired temperature quickly without wasting energy.
5.Maintain AC Units
Air conditioning can account for over 40% of an average Gold Coast home’s electricity usage. Which is why proper maintenance is key for peak performance and energy savings. Try being more diligent about changing filters monthly to avoid blocked airflow and reduced cooling capacity. Have a professional technician do tune-ups when necessary (especially before peak summer).
Also, avoid placing lamps, TVs, or other electronics near the AC which add heat to the room. Close blinds on sun-exposed windows to minimise heat gain as well. Another thing you could do is plant trees near your windows. This will help reduce strain on the system during the hot summer months and keep it functioning without issues.
6.Optimise Laundry Routines
Clothes dryers can consume a significant amount of electricity in Gold Coast homes. Slash this power drain by drying clothes on outdoor clotheslines or indoor racks whenever possible. Sun-drying is free either way! For rainy days, consider using a detachable drying rack indoors for non-urgent loads.
When using the dryer, only run full loads and use the moisture sensor option if available. This automatically shuts off when clothes are dry, also cleaning lint filters before every load can increase airflow and drying efficiency.
Additionally, avoid unneeded high heat settings that waste energy – medium or low heat is sufficient for most loads.
7. Embrace Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are not just a cost-effective alternative to air conditioning; they also enhance the air quality and comfort of your home. By moving air around, ceiling fans make you feel cooler—up to 4°C cooler, in fact—without the need to crank up the air con. This airflow not only creates a refreshing breeze but also improves ventilation, helping to make your home feel more open and airy.
Not to mention, they’re also handy in keeping mosquitoes at bay with the air turbulence they create.
Ceiling fans are a particularly wise choice for the Gold Coast, because air conditioners can guzzle a lot of power. Ceiling fans are much more economical, using around 60 watts per hour compared to the 3,500 watts an air conditioner might use.
This is a huge difference that can lead to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint—a win-win for you and the environment.
Conclusion
With power costs continuing to increase across Queensland, cutting energy waste is key for Gold Coast households. Put these 7 practical electricity-saving tips into action to maximise savings while staying comfortable year-round. Small habit changes and efficiency tweaks add up to big power bill reductions. For more information and inputs, contact us today!
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