Energy bills weigh on most family budgets and can really blow out in winter. Here are some ways to save and help the environment during the colder months.


Water works
Hot water accounts for around a third of the average household’s energy use. Start saving by getting a low-flow showerhead. It can save you up to $100 a year on your energy and water bills. Shorter showers and smaller baths are the obvious way to save money.

Also, try to use hot water less often, but in bigger quantities at a time. This cuts the amount of hot water that’s left sitting in your pipes to go cold. Do things such as taking consecutive showers and bathing the kids at the same time. If you have an electric hot water heater, turn it off when you go away on holidays.

Also look at your clothes washing habits. Cold water cycles use a lot less energy than warm washes, and a full load uses the same amount of power as a small load. Consider using state and federal government rebates to switch to solar hot water. It can cut your hot water bill by 70 per cent.
 

What’s cooking?
Plan ahead to save energy in the kitchen. Bake a few things at once, and keep the oven door shut as much as possible. Many households keep an old fridge as extra storage for parties. Switch it on the day before a party and keep it off the rest of the time.

Power down
I bet lots of you love the comfort of an electric blanket in winter, but why not put on an extra blanket instead? Appliances such as TVs, computers, monitors and printers still use energy when they’re on standby. Turn them off at the unit or flick off the power point.


Snug as a bug
Insulation keeps your house warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and can cut heating and cooling costs by a third. Yet 40 per cent of Australian homes still don’t have insulation. It’s an easy way to save energy and the environment.

Month by month
Have you ever been caught out by a big quarterly energy bill? It can really throw the family budget into disarray, if you don’t watch your usage and put money aside each payday. Why not contact your gas and electricity providers and enrol in monthly payments? They will estimate your yearly bills and charge you in equal monthly instalments. They will also monitor your usage and if it changes, they will adjust your payments accordingly.

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS
Fluorescent lights can be expensive up front, but last longer and are more energy efficient than regular globes. They shouldn’t be flicked on and off a lot, so they’re good for rooms where lights are on for long periods.