Energy costs hit record highs in October 2022, and they’re likely to keep rising.
Perth families in particular are feeling the pinch. Household electricity bills jumped 2.5% on 1 July 2022. For the average household, that’s an extra $45 per year – although prices have since risen again.
Everyone’s concerned about power costs. As experienced electricians (and Perth locals), we wanted to offer some tried-and-tested energy-saving solutions to reduce electricity bills and ease the pressure this summer.
1. Chill out on heating and cooling
Heating and cooling account for 20-50% of your home’s electricity use. Cutting back on A/C can significantly reduce electricity bills over summer.
There are a few ways to reduce your air conditioning dependence without breaking a sweat:
- Set a slightly higher temperature
- Replace old A/C with energy-efficient reverse cycle systems
- Use a timer during the night
- Open a window at night to let in cool air
- Keep doors and windows closed in the hottest part of the day
- Get a technician to service your A/C units
Did you know that raising your thermostat by one degree can save 10% on cooling costs?
2. Cool your hot water usage
Water is the second-largest energy segment, accounting for 15-27% of the average home’s power consumption. It’s also the worst culprit for greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing hot water costs can be tricky. Unlike air conditioning or lighting, there’s no innovative energy-saving solution (read: “hack”) here.
However, there are a few things you can do to cool your energy bills:
- Lower water temperature in controlled systems
- Convert to solar hot water
- Install an energy-efficient heat pump
- Switch electric storage systems to an off-peak tariff
Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) and other rebates might be available to offset the cost of solar systems or hot water pumps.
3. Change to cost-effective lighting
If you’re looking for DIY solutions to save energy at home, we’ve got a bright idea. Swap out old lightbulbs for energy-efficient LEDs throughout your home.
LED (light-emitting diode) lightbulbs use around 75% less energy than old-school halogen bulbs and last 5-10 times longer.
When lighting accounts for 10% of the average electricity budget, this simple energy-saving solution can significantly impact your bills.
Replacing just 10 halogen bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs can reduce energy bills by $65 a year, enough to offset the July price hikes.
4. Charge up with solar panels
Around 30% of Australian homes have solar PV (photovoltaic) panels, making us the world leader in solar power.
Solar panels aren’t cheap. Installation costs around $3,500 on average. However, solar power is an innovative energy-saving solution and a promising investment:
- The average payback time is 3-5 years
- Sending excess power to the grid earns credits on energy bills
- Converting sunlight to electricity using PV panels produces no greenhouse gases
As solar panels get more popular, they’re also getting cheaper. Solar is a great way to reduce energy bills and shrink your carbon footprint.
5. Call NJP Electrical
We know what it’s like to sweat through summer for the sake of reducing energy costs. And we’re here to tell you that it’s not necessary this year.
NJP Electrical provides consultation, installation, service and repair solutions for energy-saving appliances. We can install innovative solar rooftop ventilation systems, overhaul your lighting with energy-efficient LEDs, or tailor custom energy-saving solutions to your home.
Our fully licenced electricians will also survey your home to ensure you’re not losing power through faulty wiring or outdated electrical systems. Every change helps you save energy at home and reduce electricity bills.
Request a quote or call NJP Electrical to get a head-start on summer electricity prices.
