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Energy savings tips

When you understand how you use energy, you can make simple changes which can help to reduce your power bill.

 

Know where your energy is going

1. Air-conditioners

WA is a great place to live - but our climate can be harsh.

It’s no surprise that if you’re like most households, around 40% of your energy is used for cooling your home. If you live in southern WA, heating your home in cooler months is likely also adding to this.

2. Appliances

Appliances account for around 25% of the average household energy bill. 

This includes your kitchen and laundry appliances, TV, home entertainment, and office equipment.

3. Water heating

Water heating accounts for around 23% of the energy used in an Aussie home.

More than half of hot water use is in the bathroom, a third in the laundry and the rest is used in the kitchen.

4. Lighting & pools

Lighting your home can account for about 7% of your total energy use.

If you have a pool, your pool pump could use as much as 18% of your total bill.

Try these simple changes around your home

Learn how to reduce energy waste and get the most out of the energy you’re using - without sacrificing comfort.
Use the savings calculator to find out the estimated running costs of your appliances and how to save money by cutting down your usage.

 

Set your air-con no lower than 21 to 24 degrees

You could reduce your energy costs by setting your air-con to the recommended temperature: That’s 21 to 24°C in summer, depending on where you live.

 

Air-cons account for up to 40% of the average household's energy costs

Here are some tips to run your air-con as efficiently as possible. 
  • Put your fan on first to push the hot air out. The air flow created by a fan can feel like the equivalent of reducing your temperature by around 3°C - but fans use less energy and are cheaper to run.
  • Then turn your air-con on a little earlier in the day and, depending on where you live, set it to around 21 to 24 degrees. Each degree lower (in summer) or higher (in winter) can increase your power bill by up to 10%.
  • Don't forget! Close any rooms you aren't using so you don't cool them unnecessarily, or block off the ducting outlets in unused rooms if you have a ducted system.
  • In colder months, setting the temperature between 18˚C to 20˚C is comfortable for most people.

 

Explore more energy saving tips...

  • Water heating
  • Kitchen & laundry
  • Lighting & appliances
  • Swimming pools
  • Maintenance

*Savings and figures should be used as a guide only. Always consider the energy star rating when purchasing new appliances. For more information, visit the WA Government household and business energy tips, www.energyrating.gov.au and  www.yourhome.gov.au/energy.

Keep track of your energy use

Learn more about how your household uses energy and how your electricity bill is calculated.

Monitor your usage with our app

With our app, you can see when your household uses the most energy throughout the day. View your usage for the past year with monthly, daily and hourly interactive graphs and compare your usage with the same time last year. You can also see how much your next bill is likely to be and see how you’re tracking throughout each bill period.

Download the app

Understand your bill

Make sure you understand what makes up your bill. Some of the costs you can control, for example the number of units of electricity you use. Then there’s costs such as your supply charge, which is the cost of getting electricity to your home or business through poles, wires and other infrastructure.

View our bill explainer

Consider these energy-saving investments

Here's some helpful online resources if you're ready to upgrade appliances or invest in your home's energy efficiency. 

Solar hot water

Consider switching to a solar hot water system. They cost more to buy than other options but are generally cheaper to run and better for the environment. 

Hot water systems

Cooling & heating

Check your home’s insulation is adequate, install quality window coverings and use energy-efficient appliances.

Cooling & heating tips

Buying an appliance?

Check its energy rating. The more stars the appliance has, the less energy it will use – which will save you money in the long term.

Energy rating calculator

Going solar

Installing solar comes at a cost, but over time it can make a big difference to your bill.

See if you could save

Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.