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Don’t leave your appliances on stand-by; instead, switch them off at the wall. Many devices draw power even when you’re not using them. Appliances on standby can cost you more than $100 a year.
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Switch to LED bulbs for lighting. They’re more efficient and they last longer. The best place to find LEDs is in hardware stores, where they’re often more affordable than at other suppliers. They can save you $100 a year across your house compared to older types of light bulb – but remember to turn the lights off when no one’s in the room.
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If you’ve got a second fridge you’re not using, turn it off. Lots of Kiwis have a second fridge going, but if you’re not using it and leaving it on, that fridge could be costing you $200 a year—or even more.
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Set your washing machine to use cold water when washing your clothes. Most washing machines do a great job washing clothes with cold water, and only really stubborn stains need hot water to clean. Using cold water could save you around $100 a year.
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Dry your clothes outside where you can.
A dryer costs about $1 a load. -
Long showers can add up quickly, costing you hundreds of dollars a year. A family of four can save $10 a week by shaving five minutes off their showers.
For more quick wins, visit EnergyMate to find out other ways you can reduce your power bill.