As lockdowns and home schooling continues to impact families and many Australians across the country continue remote working, new research reveals 74 per cent of Australians are staying at home more often now than in 2019 and 40 per cent are concerned about higher energy costs.
The findings were derived from a survey of an independent panel of 1050 Australian adults, commissioned by The Oodie, Australia’s highest-quality, warmest and longest-lasting hooded wearable blanket.
More NSW residents (44 per cent) are concerned about the high cost of their energy bill this winter than WA residents (37 per cent) and Queenslanders (30 per cent).
Respondents also revealed the size of their electricity bill each quarter. Forty-two (42) per cent of Australians admitted they are spending more than $300 each quarter on energy, while 20 per cent revealed they spend more than $400.
Across the states, 48 per cent of NSW residents said their energy bills are more than $300 per quarter, compared with 37 per cent of Victorians residents and 21 per cent of WA residents.
The Oodie’s consulting household finance expert, Helen Baker, also a financial adviser, says: “Between remote working, home schooling in some areas, and fears over contracting COVID, we’re staying in our homes more than ever. While energy bills are more likely to increase during colder months, as heating consumes more energy, we’re now dealing with the added factor of running desktop devices and heating during business hours.
“I recommend households find ways to run a low-cost and energy-efficient household. Fortunately, there are changes that can be made across all areas of the household, along with larger, long-term investments that can amount to significant savings. Not to mention, adopting a more conscious mindset to energy use can ultimately minimise our carbon footprint. Even the smallest tasks, such as sending an email, can contribute to global emissions.”
The Oodie’s consulting household finance expert, Helen Baker
8 low-cost tips for Australians to save on energy costs this winter:
- Layer up and use heating wisely. Generally, devices that heat use more energy. Gas and electric heaters, can account for up to 26 per cent of household energy use. Turn your heater off when the room is adequately warm, rather than running it continuously. If using air conditioners for heating, set the temperature no more than eight degrees above the outdoor temperature to avoid risking a much higher energy bill.
Another way to save on energy is to rug up with additional layers of warm clothing, such as The Oodie, which features two layers of sherpa and flannel fleece while remaining lightweight.
- Be aware of vampire energy consumption. Even when appliances are not in use, they continue to consume electricity. Phone chargers are notorious energy vampires and continue to consume 0.26 watts every hour they are left idle. In instances where a phone is charged and still connected to the charger, it can consume more than 2 watts per hour. Desktop computers can consume more than 20 watts when left in sleep mode. By simply switching off devices at the power point, households can save more than $200 per year.
- Limit hot water and hot drying. Hot water heating contributes enormously to our energy usage. Taking shorter showers and limiting baths can help reduce bills. Using a hot water cycle on the washing machine uses 50-85 per cent more energy than cold water. Households could use the cold-water cycle when using the washing machine or dishwasher and only wash clothes or dishes on a full load. Clothes dryers also consume a lot of energy and households could use it sparingly and opt for clothesline drying.
- Check existing appliances. It’s important to keep in mind that old appliances consume more energy than newer models and are therefore more costly to use. If upgrading appliances, households could use energy-star ratings to gauge the cost to run them: multiply the number of kilowatt-hours a year (the number on the energy star label) by the electricity rate on a bill. For example, a TV with a seven-star label of 213 kWh a year on a rate of 28.55 cents can cost approximately $61 a year to run, while a three-star label could set households back $148 annually.
Beyond energy ratings, households could consider smaller TVs and front-load washing machines – which use less water and shorter wash cycles than top loaders. Upgrading appliances can be costly, and possible to adjust the energy usage of existing home appliances by, for instance, ensuring the refrigerator is 3-4 degrees, and the freezer -15 to -18 degrees.
- Shop around for a better deal. Households would be wise to compare energy providers every year. Helen says that each time she receives a bill she challenges that expense and considers whether there is a more affordable option in the market. Comparison sites are a quick and easy way to shop around for a cheaper energy provider and most of these services are free to use. There are also often incentives to take advantage of when moving from one provider to another.
- Keep the home well insulated. Homes that are well insulated will maintain a comfortable temperature more readily. Keeping windows shut securely, particularly during colder weather, can help retain heat – up to 40 per cent warmth can escape through windows. Household could also consider opening their blinds or curtains during sunny winter days and closing them before it gets dark, to trap in heat.
- Make low-cost changes to heat the home. There are many low-cost investments household could make to heat their home, without increasing their energy bill. For example, door draft stoppers, rugs and runners to keep floors warm, and additional blankets or Oodies for evenings.
- Consider investing in solar. A good idea is to research whether solar can reduce energy bills in the long run, or in some cases, if energy can be sold back to the grid. While solar panels are often touted as expensive, long-term investments, recent Government investment in renewables means this is not always the case. Helen advises clients considering switching to solar power to seek out Government incentives that will allow them to install solar panels and have the majority of costs subsidised.
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