17 Tips That'll Make Your Energy Bills A Lot Cheaper

Save your wallet and the environment.

1. Switch to energy-saving bulbs.

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These bad boys are cheap, easy to get your hands on, and will save you cash in the long run. Back in the day they were ugly spirals, but now you can get energy-efficient bulbs that look just like the regular ones you're used to. CFLs are probably the most common bulb you can get, but do some research on which ones are best for your house.

2. Always turn off lights you don't need.

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This sounds like a simple one, but get in the habit of turning off lights when you leave a room. Also switch off ones you're not using – do you really need the ceiling light and a lamp on while you're watching TV? If you're one of those people who is too damn lazy to get up and switch off the lights you've left on, don't fear. There are a few different apps you can get which will let you control the lightbulbs in your house with your smartphone.

3. Look into motion sensors and dimmers.

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Install some dimmer switches in your house which will help save electricity and also ~set the mood~ ;) ;). You could also get motion sensors for outdoor lights or even for places like your garage or bathroom.

4. Unplug appliances that you're not using.

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Unless you're directly using your TV/washing machine/dryer/microwave etc., unplug it or switch it off at the wall. Don't leave your phone charger plugged in when you're not using it, and turn off your Wi-Fi overnight and when you're not at home.

5. Turn off your TV!

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It's so easy to just use your remote to put your TV on standby, which makes the screen go black and leaves that little red light on. But this isn't actually turning it off. Get up and flick the switch on the TV to save energy. If your TV doesn't have an off button, turn it off at the wall.

6. Seek out energy-saving appliances.

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Old fridges and dishwashers chew up so much unnecessary electricity. You don't have to go out and buy a whole new set of appliances, but next time you're in the market try to find ones that have a high energy rating.

7. Try to cook a lot of things at once.

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Meal-prepping has a ton of health benefits, but did you know it'll also help you to save energy? It's best to use the oven and stove to cook a bunch of things in one go, rather than one at a time, because they don't have to keep warming up. Also invest in pan dividers if you want to cook a few things at once. You'll save electricity by only using one burner, and there'll be less cleaning up too!

8. And make sure you use lids while cooking.

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If you put a lid on whatever pan or pot you're using, the heat will stay in and you'll be able to turn down the stove.

9. Only use a heater when you really need it.

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If you're only a little cold, whack on a jumper and some warm socks. Or get a space heater. You'll save a lot of cash by just using it for whatever room you're in, rather than central heating to warm up the whole house. Obviously, if you live in a climate with super-cold winters, this isn't going to be an option. But maybe look into a programmable thermostat which you can set to a lower temperature at night, when you can wrap yourself in doonas and use an electric blanket.

10. Make sure your home is insulated.

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If you find any spots around your windows that feel particularly breezy, you can fill them yourself really easily with caulk. Or get in a professional to make sure you're really protected from the elements. It'll save you heaps on air-con and heating in the long run.

11. Draw your curtains.

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Once it starts getting dark, close all your curtains. They'll help keep the heat in, especially if they're thick. And make sure you open them first thing in the morning. Letting in natural sunlight will warm up the room and also will stop you from having to turn on lights.

12. Wrap up your water heater.

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If you've got an electric water heater, you can buy it a special blanket to keep all the heat in, or make your own. This'll stop leakages and will use less electricity to warm up your water.

13. Wash your clothes in cold water.

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They'll still be just as clean, but you won't be wasting electricity on heating up the water. It's also better for your clothes, and will stop the colours from running.

14. Stop using your dryer!

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Dryers use so much electricity. If you can, hang your laundry outside in the sun, or on clothes racks around the house. Save the dryer for when you really need it, and you'll notice it on your next bill.

15. Fill up your fridge and freezer.

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They're most efficient when they're full. So if you've got a giant fridge with nothing in it but a few leftovers and tubs of ice cream, fill in the gaps with containers of water or bags of ice. It might look silly, but it'll definitely save electricity.

16. See if you can get clean energy.

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Some energy providers have an option to power your house with "clean electricity" – that is, from renewable resources like wind and water. It costs a little more, but most governments will offer you a tax break if you go for it.

17. Keep yourself accountable.

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There are apps and websites out there that'll help you track how much electricity you're actually using. This can help you identify what's using up the most energy, and help figure out where you can cut down.