Ways to save money in your home

• Set temperatures with efficiency in mind. Each degree of heating in winter or cooling in summer can increase energy consumption by up to 10%.
• Set heating to around 18–20°C and cooling to around 25–27°C.
• If you have an energy-efficient, split system as well as other heating types like gas or portable electric, use your split system.
• Only heat the rooms you’re using. If you have zoning controls, use them to control where you heat.
• Close doors to rooms that you don’t need to heat or cool, even if you have zoning.
• Turn your heating and cooling off when you leave home or go to bed.
• On cold days, when the sun goes down, close your curtains and blinds to keep heat in.

• Wash laundry in cold water, on a short cycle. Most energy used for washing comes from heating water.
• Run the washing machine when it’s full for more efficient energy use.
• Avoid using a dryer where practical. And if you do use one, read the Six money-saving tips for clothes dryers by consumer advocacy group CHOICE for more useful tips.
• If you’re replacing or buying a dryer, consider a heat pump condenser. They’re super energy-efficient with low running costs.

• Set your fridge to around 3°C and your freezer to around -15 to -18°C for greatest efficiency.
• Check the seals on your fridge and freezer. Ensure there are no gaps or cracks.
• Defrost frozen food in the fridge overnight. This uses less energy than defrosting in a microwave and saves more energy by keeping your fridge cool.
• If you have a second fridge or freezer, only turn it on when you need it.
• If you have a freezer that needs to be defrosted, do this regularly.
• If you can’t afford to upgrade, read the How to slash your fridge’s running costs article by consumer advocacy group CHOICE for more useful tips.

• If you have solar at home, set your heat pump hot water system to heat during peak sunshine hours.
• Use an efficient shower head. The Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program offers discounts on certain efficient shower heads, which can save water and energy. Eligibility criteria apply. Visit Shower head discounts on the VEU website for more information.
• Fix leaks. Leaking hot taps quietly waste energy, 24/7. A dripping hot tap wastes water and the energy used to heat it. Even small leaks can add up over time and push bills higher than necessary.

• Match the appliance to the size of the meal you’re preparing.
  • Small meal? Use small, energy-efficient appliances like microwaves and air fryers. Avoid the full oven for small portions.
  • Family dinner or weekly cook? Use the stove efficiently. Match pot sizes to burners/cooking zones. Use lids to keep heat in. Cook more than one meal.
• Keep the oven door closed during cooking.

• TVs, desktop computers, laptops and chargers, sound systems and gaming consoles draw power even when they’re turned off. Turning them off at the wall cuts unnecessary energy use that adds up over the year.
• The Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program offers discounts on certain TVs. Eligibility criteria apply. Visit Television discounts on the VEU website for more information.

Seal air leaks and gaps with weatherstripping and caulking. Check around windows, doors and other openings like around pipes, vents and electrical outlets.

The Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program offers weather sealing discounts to all Victorian households. Visit Weather sealing discounts on the VEU website for more information.

Double-glaze your windows to keep heat in and reduce your energy use.

The Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program offers window glazing discounts. Eligibility criteria apply. Visit Window glazing discounts on the VEU website for more information.

Improve the energy efficiency of your home with ceiling insulation.

The Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) program offers ceiling insulation discounts. Eligibility criteria apply. Visit Insulation discounts on the VEU website for more information.