What if I told you that a simple habit could save you $150 on your electricity bill? That\u2019s the power of turning off appliances properly. We\u2019ve all been there, leaving the TV on standby or letting the gaming console hum away. But it turns out that these \u201cenergy vampires\u201d are secretly draining your wallet. A simple change in how we use our home appliances could add up to some serious savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all know that energy prices have been creeping up, and as more Aussies feel the pinch, it\u2019s 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\u2014when appliances are still plugged in but not actively being used\u2014accounts for 3-10% of your home\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t good at managing their power. These devices may be using up electricity when you\u2019re not even aware of it, adding up to a significant cost over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what\u2019s the fix? Permezel has some easy-to-implement advice: \u201cWhen dealing with energy vampires, you can shave off some usage by turning off the ‘instant-on’ setting on your TV or gaming console,<\/em>\u201d he says to Yahoo Finance<\/a>. It\u2019s 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\u2014TV, console, and any other devices\u2014without having to worry about each one individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re 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 \u201cswitch it off at the wall\u201d rule. It\u2019s a small habit that adds up over time, and in some cases, could save you hundreds annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s up to us to be more mindful of how we\u2019re 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\u2014and the planet\u2014will thank you for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther Tips for Saving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n