It is important to understand which items in your household use the most power.
What is the power bill each year, and what will it be in five years when it doubles?
Investing $50 in the QLD Government’s ClimateSmart Home Service is a wise decision to ensure long-term energy savings.
Electricity Tariffs – QLD
Tariff 11 Domestic – 22.759 cents per kWh
This is the tariff for general domestic usage. It’s generally used for all lights and power for appliances in domestic houses, flats and units.
Tariff 33 Controlled Supply (Economy) – 13.673 cents per kWh
This tariff can be used for applicable storage water heating systems including solar, electric and heat pump water heaters, swimming pool filters and other applicable permanently connected equipment that don’t require power all day, or need to be on call. Electricity can be supplied to such appliances at a reduced cost, for a minimum of 18 hours per day.
Tariff 31 Night Rate (Super Economy) – 9.284 cents per kWh
This is the cheapest tariff available for applicable electric storage heaters and other applicable permantly connected equipment. Electricity supply is made available for a minimum of 8 hours per days (usually 10pm – 7am) when demand is low.
Electricity Provider
Shop around for the best electricity provider in your area. Ask for discounts – Origin will often give one month off your bill, which equates to approximately 6-8 per cent saving. AGL will often give a 6 per cent discount off your bill.
Air Conditioning
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Turn your air conditioner off outside when not in use. This stops the stand-by motor running, and will save you power.
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Adjust your air conditioner settings (slightly lower in winter and slightly higher in summer). The recommended room temperature for summer is 24°C – 27°C. Every 1°C cooler will increase your energy costs by around 10-15 per cent.
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Only have your air conditioner on for as long as needed and close the doors to rooms that are not in use.
Hot Water
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Change to Tariff 33 or even Tariff 31 (if possible)
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Adjust the temperature of your hot water to suit your requirements.
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Installing a solar or gas hot water unit can save up to 80 per cent on your hot water bill.
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Switch off your electric hot water unit if you’re going away for holidays.
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Fix any hot water drips/leaks.
Cooking
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When possible use your microwave to cook meals. Microwaves cook much faster than an oven and use a lot less power.
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Small, efficient appliances like pressure cookers and electric frypans use a lot less power than an oven.
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When boiling the jug, use the minimum amount of water.
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Leave frozen foods out in the morning and you won’t have to thaw them in the microwave.
Dishwashers
Only run the dishwasher with a full load. Sometimes it’s easier to wash the dishes yourself.
Fridges and Freezers
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Your old fridge could be using up to 3-4 times the power of a new energy efficient model. That could be as much as $350 per year.
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Turn off spare fridges and freezers when not in use. Rationalise the number of fridges/freezers that you need on, with the money you could be saving ($350).
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Don’t allow ice to build up.
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Keep fridges away from stoves and ovens.
Laundry
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Use cold water for everyday washing and hot water for whites and dirty clothes.
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An over-loaded machine uses more electricity and doesn’t clean as well.
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Front-loading washing machines are more energy (and water) efficient than top loaders.
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Dryer – a machine to avoid if possible. It is up there with hot water as the biggest power user.
Lights
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Normal incandenscent bulbs have been replaced by compact fluorescent bulbs, which use approximately 20 per cent of the power of incandescents.
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Turn lights off in rooms not being used.
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Install sensor lights for outside. You can also get energy saving spotlights.
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Halogens use similar amounts to incandescents (around 65W) but there are generally more of them. Replace them next year when suitable replacements are available.
Computers
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Turn off (all) your televisions when no-one is using them.
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Early plasmas can use up to 350W. More efficient LCDs (check before you buy) use only around 120W.
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Separate the DVD player and surround sound speakers from your everyday TV use and turn off at the wall. Otherwise you could be using/leaking around 40W.
Pool
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Change over to Tariff 33.
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During winter, adjust your filter timer down so that it runs for less time.
Energy Ratings
When buying any electrical appliance, look for an energy rating and understand what it costs for a year’s worth of power. Double it and then decide whether it is a good buy as this is what you could be paying (if not more) in the not too distant future.
Solar SystemsBuy the correct size CB Solar Panel System – it will offset your power bill and save you a lot of money in the long term. If your solar panel system is too small, your power bill will be similar to what you have now in a few years time.
Once you have a CB Solar System installed, minimise your daytime power usage as you will make more money if you put more power back into the grid at around 50 cents per kilowatt.
Buy quality from CB Solar. We have put our reputation on it!
