Reducing your energy use

Energy saving tips

With all the predictions pointing towards a hot summer, now's a great time to start thinking about how you can reduce your summer energy bills and stay cool as well.

• On hot days, keep your blinds and curtains closed. On those nights where it cools down, open up windows on both sides of your house to encourage a cooling breeze through.
• If you’re worried about your energy bills, try reducing how much you use your air conditioner. Ceiling fans and standing fans help you feel cooler, with far less energy use. For even better results, try moistening your skin with a damp cloth.
• When you do use your air conditioner, the temperature you have it set on makes a big difference to how much energy you use. Setting it to 230C or higher is ideal. Each degree lower can add 10% to the running cost.
• Close off some of the house. It doesn’t make sense to cool a room no one is using.
• Draught proof your home. Weather strips and door snakes are cheap and easy to install, and help seal gaps under doors where hot air can get in.
• Borrow a Power Mate Meter from a Council Library - see details below. The meters are simple to use, and allow you to check how much energy any plugin appliance such as the fridge and TV in your home uses. Many appliances use ‘standby’ power even when switched off. If you find an appliance using lots of standby power, it might be worth switching the powerpoint off.
• Consider visiting a cool place on those really hot days like a local library, pool or shopping centre.

Want more tips? For more information on how to be energy efficient at home

Interested in reducing your energy usage all year round? Sign up for Endeavour Energy’s free PowerSavers program and receive handy tips and tricks and participate in challenges.

Compare your energy retailer

The Federal Government has a great resource called Energy Made Easy, so grab some of your old energy bills and see if another company might be cheaper. Even if you'd like to stay with the same energy retailer, it’s worth calling them to see if they can do you a better deal.

Water Efficiency

WaterFix Program

Sydney Waters WaterFix program is a way you can save money and reduce your water usage.

The program is one way to help you save water at home, especially during the warmer months. A qualified WaterFix plumber will assess your home, identify any leaking taps and fittings and repair any visible tap and toilet leaks at no cost, and suggest water efficient devices to help you on your water saving journey. You can even upgrade to a water efficient showerhead at no cost.
The plumber will even discuss with you any repair work needed and do any additional repairs you agree too.

By participating in WaterFix Residential, you'll enjoy numerous advantages, including:

• Low call-out fee of $33 ($11 for pensioners).
• No Saturday surcharge.
• Replace your inefficient taps with WELS 4-star rated taps, which can reduce water usage by up to 52%.
• Upgrade your old showerhead with a WELS 4-star rated showerhead, reducing water usage by up to 50%.
• Replace your single-flush toilet with a WELS 4-star rated dual-flush toilet, and you could reduce water usage by up to 63%.

Find out more at WaterFix Residential.

Solar

Installing solar on your rooftop is a great way to use renewable energy from the sun and help your household save money in the long run. Penrith is already seeing a strong uptake of solar power, with approximately 31% of dwellings in Penrith having solar systems installed (APVI, 2022).

Switching to solar can be a daunting process. You can learn about the benefits of installing solar, check if you are eligible for a free system and you can read the home and solar battery guide at the Switch to Solar webpage.

Other resources to assist include the Clean Energy Council, which is an independent resource for solar installations and a great resource to help you on your solar journey, and Choice.

You can also read more about solar by checking out Council's Residential Solar Power fact sheet.

Government programs and subsidies

There are a number of rebates and incentives available for eligible households. Some of these include:

• There are energy rebates available for low-income households, families, seniors, medical and life support. Check your eligibility via the website.
• Solar for low-income households. If you are an eligible homeowner-occupier, you can swap your Low-Income Household Rebate for a free, fully installed, 3kW solar system. If your home is not suitable for solar, you can receive a free energy assessment.
• Household energy saving upgrades. Incentives to upgrade existing appliances in your home to more energy efficient models. This includes lighting, air conditioners, hot water system and pool pumps.
• Measure your usage. Learn more about technology that helps you measure and monitor energy use.
• Understand your energy bill. For tips on how to read your bill and how it is calculated.