Invest the spare change

As the temperatures start to get cooler, you may notice a difference in how expensive your bill is compared to in summer.
How much you use your home heating and cooling will vary from season to season, and this can really affect your energy use and how much you end up spending.

For this reason, we’ve put together some top tips on how you can get your average power bill down.  That means more money in your pocket at the end of the day!
With the cost of living continuing to rise, it’s never been more important than ever to keep your energy costs to a minimum.

Watch your heating temperature

As we’re now into autumn and the weather starts to get a little cooler, our advice is to keep the temperature of your home between 18 and 20 degrees, as each degree higher than 20 can have a significant impact on your energy bill.
Or, when possible, wrap up in an extra layer or snuggle up with a blanket when you’re indoors so you’re using your heating system even less.

Switch off appliances at the wall

Did you know the energy generated by appliances when left on standby can add up to 10% of your overall household energy use?
That’s approximately $100 a year.
So, why not save that extra cash that would otherwise be wasted on unused energy?
It’s a no-brainer!
Whether it’s your coffee machine, your laptop, or your microwave, turn your appliance off at the mains when you’ve finished and you’re good to go.

Opt for energy efficient lighting

Switching to compact fluorescent or LED bulbs can help you save significantly on your next electricity bill.
These bulbs tend to use the least amount of electricity, compared to halogen or incandescent lighting.
Although they are more expensive to purchase upfront, they last longer and can therefore save you more money in the long run.
Plus they work for most lighting situations and are easy to buy from the supermarket or homeware stores.

Put your devices on economy mode

Running your devices on economy mode is a superb way to reduce your power consumption when you’re not using them directly.
Switching off after a set time means you don’t have to think twice and can let your device do its thing.
It’s also excellent for helping the environment by using less water and energy.

Go solar

Purchasing a solar PV system to power your home may seem like an investment at first, however they usually tend to pay for themselves over several years.
It’s even more helpful if you qualify for a government incentive or rebate (you can search for this on your state government’s dedicated energy website), which will help you start making your money back even more quickly.
Above all, solar is clean and helps you to reduce your carbon footprint, while also helping you to become energy-independent.

Wash your clothes with cold water

Sometimes a cold wash will do for your laundry, instead of opting for hot water all the time.
Hot water tends to use up a lot of energy, so choose cold when you can.
You can also hang out your clothes on the line when the weather’s warm outside, so you’re cutting down on that extra power spent on your clothes dryer.
Now that’s double the efficiency.

Compare energy providers

Lastly, comparing energy retailers works very well for ensuring you’re not paying through the roof in the first place for your energy.
Hop onto Raiz Energy, the energy comparison tool online designed to help you easily compare different plans, switch and save, so you won’t be surprised when you get your monthly bill!
The tool does all the research on finding the best, cheapest, and most efficient power companies available for you. It’s the simplest way to get cheaper bills, as well as the best value for your money – and more, in your Raiz account.