Spending more time at home?
Understanding and keeping on top of your energy usage can help you save on your bills while you stay indoors.
See how much energy you’re using
Understand your usage and see which appliance is costing you the most.
Home office tips to save energy
There are a few changes you can make to your home office to help you stay on top of things.
10 energy saving tips: working from home with family
More Australians are working and schooling from home. So, what does this mean for your family's energy consumption?
Save on energy all year round
It’s normal for your energy bills to have seasonal highs and lows. Take a look at how you can avoid bill shock in winter and summer.
Explore ways to save energy around your home.
Windows
- Close windows and draw blinds early in the day to block out the summer heat.
- Your home can gain up to 87% of its heat in summer through its windows. Double-glazing your windows and skylights can help keep cool air in, plus it reduces outside noise.
Washing Machine
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your washing machine to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Wash a full load of laundry in cold water, rather than hot water, as it uses less energy.
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your washing machine to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Make use of that warm summer weather and avoid using a tumble dryer by hanging your clothes on a washing line or clothes horse.
TV
- Plug your TVs, games consoles and other entertainment devices into a standby power control board, which can automatically switch off when they’re not being used.
Switch
- Switch off appliances at the wall to reduce standby power use when you’re not using them.
Shower
- Reduce the amount of hot water you use by having short showers and installing a low-flow showerhead.
- Install flow restrictors in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen taps to reduce the amount of water that comes out.
Lights
- An oldie but a goodie: always remember to switch off the lights when you leave an empty room.
- Install or replace all incandescent bulbs and halogen downlights with LED bulbs, as they provide the same lighting but use less watts.
Fridge
- Set your fridge and freezer thermostats to the recommended temperature (often being 4⁰C for the fridge and -18⁰C for the freezer) and regularly remove any frost build up.
- To check if your fridge is using energy unnecessarily, place a $5 note in the door frame. If the note slips or blows in the draught, it’s likely that air is escaping and the seals need replacing.
Dishwasher
- If you're on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your dishwasher to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your dishwasher to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Wait until it's full before starting it up.
Cooling
- Use a fan to circulate the air before running your air conditioner, to see if it’ll do the trick.
- Set your air conditioner’s thermostat to 24 - 27⁰C, as every degree below can add 10% to its usage charges.
- Cool your house naturally by opening your windows and blinds when the outside temperature drops.
Computer / Devices
- Set your device to enter sleep or hibernate mode automatically after it hasn't been used for a few minutes.
- Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you're not using them as they draw a substantial amount of power.
- Screensavers don’t save energy, so either turn your device off or switch it off at the wall.
- Switch portable device chargers off at the wall, as many of them continue to use power – even when a device isn’t plugged in.
Computer / Devices
- Set your device to enter sleep or hibernate mode automatically after it hasn't been used for a few minutes.
- Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you're not using them as they draw a substantial amount of power.
- Screensavers don’t save energy, so either turn your device’s screen off or switch it off at the wall.
- Switch portable device chargers off at the wall, as many of them continue to use power – even when a device isn’t plugged in.
Dishwasher
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your dishwasher to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your dishwasher to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Wait until it’s full before starting it up.
Fridge
- Set your fridge and freezer thermostats to the recommended temperature (often being 4⁰C for the fridge and -18⁰C for the freezer) and regularly remove any frost build up.
- To check if your fridge is using energy unnecessarily, place a $5 note in the door frame. If the note slips or blows in the draught, it’s likely that air is escaping and the seals need replacing.
Heating
- Set your thermostat between 18 – 20⁰C to maximise the efficiency.
- Close doors to any unoccupied rooms to maintain the temperature in the areas you’re using.
- If you have ducted heating, close vents in unused rooms to create zoned areas in your home.
Lights
- An oldie but a goodie: always remember to switch off the lights when you leave an empty room.
- Install or replace all incandescent bulbs and halogen downlights with LED bulbs, as they provide the same lighting but use less watts.
Shower
- Reduce the amount of hot water you use by having short showers and installing a low-flow showerhead.
- Install flow restrictors in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen taps to reduce the amount of water that comes out.
Switch
- Switch off appliances at the wall to reduce standby power use when you’re not using them.
TV
- Plug your TVs, games consoles and other entertainment devices into a standby power control board, which can automatically switch them off for you when they’re not being used.
Washing Machine
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your washing machine to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Wash a full load of laundry in cold water, rather than hot water, as it uses less energy.
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your washing machine to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Avoid using a tumble dryer by hanging your clothes on a washing line or an indoor clothes horse if it's raining.
Windows
- Your home can lose up to 40% of its heating in winter through its windows. Double-glazing your windows and skylights can help keep warm air in, plus it reduces outside noise.
Explore ways to save energy around your home.
Bathroom
Shower
- Reduce the amount of hot water you use by having short showers and installing a low-flow showerhead.
- Install flow restrictors in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen taps to reduce the amount of water that comes out.
Washing Machine
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your washing machine to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Wash a full load of laundry in cold water, rather than hot water, as it uses less energy.
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your washing machine to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Make use of that warm summer weather and avoid using a tumble dryer by hanging your clothes on a washing line or clothes horse.
Bedroom
Computer Devices
- Set your device to enter sleep or hibernate mode automatically after it hasn't been used for a few minutes.
- Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you're not using them as they draw a substantial amount of power.
- Screensavers don’t save energy, so either turn your device off or switch it off at the wall.
- Switch portable devices chargers off at the wall, as many of them continue to use power – even when a device isn’t plugged in.
Cooling
- Use a fan to circulate air before running your air conditioner, to see if it’ll do the trick.
- Set your air conditioner’s thermostat to 24 - 27⁰C, as every degree below can add 10% to its usage charges.
- Cool your house naturally by opening your windows and blinds when the outside temperature drops.
Kitchen
Dishwasher
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your dishwasher to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your dishwasher to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Wait until it’s full before starting it up.
Fridge
- Set your fridge and freezer thermostats to the recommended temperature (often being 4⁰C for the fridge and -18⁰C for the freezer) and regularly remove any frost build up.
- To check if your fridge is using energy unnecessarily, place a $5 note in the door frames. If the note slips or blows in the draught, it’s likely that air is escaping and the seals need replacing.
Windows
- Close windows and draw blinds early in the day to block out the summer heat.
- Your home can gain up to 87% of its heat in summer through its windows. Double-glazing your windows and skylights can help keep cool air in, plus it reduces outside noise.
Living Room
Lights
- An oldie but a goodie: always remember to switch off the lights when you leave an empty room.
- Install or replace all incandescent bulbs and halogen downlights with LED bulbs, as they provide the same lighting but use less watts.
Switch
- Switch off appliances at the wall to reduce standby power use when you’re not using them.
TV
- Plug your TVs, games consoles and other entertainment devices into a standby power control board, which can automatically switch off when they’re not being used.
Bathroom
Shower
- Reduce the amount of hot water you use by having short showers and installing a low-flow showerhead.
- Install flow restrictors in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen taps to reduce the amount of water that comes out.
Washing Machine
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your washing machine to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times(unless you have a solar system).
- Wash a full load of laundry in cold water, rather than hot water, as it uses less energy.
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your washing machine to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Avoid using a tumble dryer by hanging your clothes on a washing line or an indoor clothes horse if it’s raining.
Bedroom
Computer Devices
- Set your device to enter sleep or hibernate mode automatically after it hasn't been used for a few minutes.
- Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you're not using them as they draw a substantial amount of power.
- Screensavers don’t save energy, so either turn your device off or switch it off at the wall.
- Switch portable devices chargers off at the wall, as many of them continue to use power – even when a device isn’t plugged in.
Kitchen
Dishwasher
- If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, set your dishwasher to run during Off-Peak or shoulder times (unless you have a solar system).
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on your dishwasher to lower its energy and water consumption.
- Wait until it’s full before starting it up.
Fridge
- Set your fridge and freezer thermostats to the recommended temperature (often being 4⁰C for the fridge and -18⁰C for the freezer) and regularly remove any frost build up.
- To check if your fridge is using energy unnecessarily, place a $5 note in the door frames. If the note slips or blows in the draught, it’s likely that air is escaping and the seals need replacing.
Windows
- Your home can lose up to 40% of its heating in winter through its windows. Double-glazing your windows and skylights can help keep warm air in, plus it reduces outside noise.
Living Room
Heating
- Set your thermostat between 18 – 20⁰C to maximise efficiency.
- Close doors to any unoccupied rooms to maintain the temperature in the areas you’re using.
- If you have ducted heating, close vents in unused rooms to create zoned areas in your home.
Lights
- An oldie but a goodie: always remember to switch off the lights when you leave an empty room.
- Install or replace all incandescent bulbs and halogen downlights with LED bulbs, as they provide the same lighting but use less watts.
Switch
- Switch off appliances at the wall to reduce standby power use when you’re not using them.
TV
- Plug your TVs, games consoles and other entertainment devices into a standby power control board, which can automatically switch off when they’re not being used.
Set up good energy habits
Here are some easy ways to see where you’re using the most energy, so you can work out where to cut back.
Get energy insights
After we send your e-bill, we’ll estimate how much energy your home used on heating, lighting, standby and more.
Submit your own meter reading
If you have a basic meter, you can send us a reading anytime to update your bill projection.
Keep an eye on things
Quickly check your energy usage anytime the AGL Energy app or get more detailed usage info in My Account.
Buying a new appliance? Look for its energy rating
The more stars the appliance has, the less energy it’ll use – which will save you money in the long term.
Learn more about the energy efficiency star system and reducing your energy consumption.
Ask AGL for energy saving tips
Get energy saving tips with your Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Just say "Hey Google, talk to AGL" or "Alexa, ask AGL."
Your complete guide to home energy saving
Take another step towards sustainable living using this handy guide packed full of home energy efficiency tips.
