We can help you to understand how to reduce the energy in your home. We’ll cover off:
the appliances you use
the layout of your home
how you can use these to reduce your energy usage – and with them, your bills.
Every single home in Australia uses energy, every single day. There are lots of ways to be energy efficient and cut down your usage. It’s easy when you know how.
Fast facts about Australian energy use:
23% of Australians have left their TV on to keep their pets company
86% of Australians take showers longer than 5 minutes
Almost half (47%) of all Aussies leave their appliances plugged in at the wall when not in use
Source: Good Energy Report II, prepared by Empirica Research for Origin Energy, April 2019.
Summer energy savers
The summers are getting hotter – and even the cooler states experience heatwaves. Aussies like to keep cool with a few chilled drinks with friends on the back deck or cranking up the split system in the lounge room.
Try not do overdo it with the air-con over summer. While it does a great job of keeping your home cool, it can be expensive to run. When it’s under 30°C, try using a fan instead.
Use shading to block out the sun. Close curtains and blinds, and where possible make the most of outdoor blinds and shades, wide eaves, balconies, fences, louvres and plants or trees.
Air flow through your home not only keeps it fresh, but can also help to keep it cool. Open windows that are opposite each other for cross-ventilation.
Winter energy savers
For some states in Australia winter can be a chilly time. It’s the time of year we flick the switch to turn on the heating, we pop the kettle on for another round of hot drinks, and linger a little longer in the shower to warm up.
Set your heating to 18-20 degrees. Each degree over that uses about 10% more energy.
Keep showers to 4-5 minutes. Hot water accounts for around 21% of home energy usage.
Keep the heat inside with curtains or blinds. Windows can cool warm air by up to 40% – especially during winter months.
Don't stand for standby power
Did you know standby power is responsible for 5.9% of Australia’s total residential electricity consumption?
Standby power, also known as vampire power, silently sucks away at your energy even when your appliances are turned off. Just keeping an appliance plugged in can still use a small amount of power. Switch your appliances off at the wall and you could save up to $100 each year.
Simple switches you can make today
Love coffee and tea? Make one bigger brew or use a thermos to avoid boiling the kettle multiple times.
Only wash full loads – which use just as much energy as a half-empty machine.
Get to know all the switches around your house – should they be on or off?
Door seals, draught-proofing strips and door snakes will help stop heat escaping – reducing your heating costs by up to 25%.
Keep an eye on the weather, nudge the temperature up or down to your comfort levels without overdoing it.
Good change in action
Complete an energy bill health check.
Compare seasonal usage – check your bill history in the Origin app.
Smooth out your bills with an EasiPay payment plan.
See what energy-saving schemes are available in your state.
More ways to save with Origin
With Origin, good value never stops! Discover all the perks, rewards and discounts that are available to our customers.
Got questions about home energy advice? Email us hello@origin.com.au