The biggest (and baddest) energy gobblers.
It pays to keep an eye on how you’re using these everyday appliances.
Heating and cooling
Set the heater to 20ºC and the aircon to 24ºC. Every degree beyond this can increase a unit’s energy use by 10%. More tips.
TVs
Standby mode uses energy, so switch your TV off at the wall. (Same goes for other appliances that have standby lights.)
Hot water
Set stored hot water at 60ºC, and instantaneous at 50ºC. Then get a water efficient showerhead to save on water too.
Fridges
Make sure your fridge is set between 3–5°C, and your freezer around -18°C. Pro tip: Check there’s room around the unit so warm air can get away from your cold food. More tips.
Lights
Here’s one you’ll remember from your mum yelling at you: switch ‘em off if you’re not using them.
Washing machines
Choose a cold wash: warm water washes can use more than ten times the energy of cold ones. Look out for machines that do a warm wash by default.
Dryers
The sun is free, and even on a cool day, a clothesline will do the job. But if you have to use the dryer: get as much water out of your clothes first, don’t overload the machine and clean the filter
every time.
Computers
Like TVs, switch them off at the wall when you’re done. Home office hack: Have a single power board for all your office appliances that you can switch off.