What if I told you that a simple habit could save you $150 on your electricity bill? That’s the power of turning off appliances properly. We’ve all been there, leaving the TV on standby or letting the gaming console hum away. But it turns out that these “energy vampires” are secretly draining your wallet. A simple change in how we use our home appliances could add up to some serious savings.
How Standby Power Adds Up
We all know that energy prices have been creeping up, and as more Aussies feel the pinch, it’s worth paying attention to the little things around the house that could be quietly inflating our bills. According to Duncan Permezel, General Manager of Retail Sales at Origin Energy, standby power—when appliances are still plugged in but not actively being used—accounts for 3-10% of your home’s total energy consumption. This might not sound like much, but over the course of a year, it can cost you anywhere from $100 to $150.
So, what can you do about it? Well, Permezel suggests that the highest offenders are gadgets with processing units, like gaming consoles (think Xbox, PlayStation), modern TVs, and even older devices like printers that aren’t good at managing their power. These devices may be using up electricity when you’re not even aware of it, adding up to a significant cost over time.
Smart Power Practices
So, what’s the fix? Permezel has some easy-to-implement advice: “When dealing with energy vampires, you can shave off some usage by turning off the ‘instant-on’ setting on your TV or gaming console,” he says to Yahoo Finance. It’s a simple change, but it can shave off unnecessary usage from your electricity bill. Even better, for your entire entertainment system, use a smart plug or a powerboard with an off switch. This way, you can turn everything off at once—TV, console, and any other devices—without having to worry about each one individually.
If you’re like many households, it may sound too simple to work. But it really does. Origin surveyed over 1,000 dads, and a large majority reported following the “switch it off at the wall” rule. It’s a small habit that adds up over time, and in some cases, could save you hundreds annually.
Other Tips for Saving
If you’re dealing with the summer heat, Permezel also suggests focusing on cooling a single room rather than your entire house. Not only does this target the areas you need most, but it could save you as much as $1,232 annually on your energy bills. Another pro tip: Keep your air conditioning temperature set at around 24 degrees. Each degree lower could add an extra 10% to your energy bill.
These small changes may not feel like much, but when combined, they can make a real difference to your electricity bill. In a time when energy prices are rising, it’s up to us to be more mindful of how we’re using power in our homes. So, next time you leave the room, consider switching off that TV, unplugging the laptop, or turning off the game console. Your wallet—and the planet—will thank you for it.
