The home tech energy saints and sinners
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With energy prices having risen by another 1.5% in July, many Aussies are on the hunt to slash their ever-rising energy bills. But it appears the daily efforts of switching lights off in empty rooms, and never leaving the TV on stand-by could be in vain, as our increasing love affair with home gadgets means we are bumping up the bills by hundreds.Recent research by energy comparison service Thoughtworld has revealed the energy usage of the latest appliances and technology hitting Australian homes. Of all the domestic gadgets and gizmos analysed, six guzzled enough energy to add a whopping $257.23 to a household’s quarterly bill, with smart fridges, plasma TVs and air purifiers coming out as some of the worst offenders.
Recent research by energy comparison service Thoughtworld has revealed the energy usage of the latest appliances and technology hitting Australian homes. Of all the domestic gadgets and gizmos analysed, six guzzled enough energy to add a whopping $257.23 to a household’s quarterly bill, with smart fridges, plasma TVs and air purifiers coming out as some of the worst offenders.
According to the Energy Users Association of Australia, Australian households had some of the highest energy costs in the developed world, and every year more Australian families struggle to pay their gas and electricity bills. People may be staying indoors more to save money, but at what cost? The bigger your plasma TV, the more energy it may sap, and the new smart fridge may not be so smart when it comes to saving you energy. Our love of domestic gadgets and gizmos has to change if we are to reduce our energy bills.
But it’s not all doom and gloom; we also found a host of home appliances that added very little to the everyday energy bill such as coffee makers, juicers, and slow cookers.
We analyse six technologies that are sapping energy around the home, with the total cost to a quarterly bill coming in at $257.23. This is based on a flat electricity tariff of 23c/kwh. (Actual tariffs vary depending on product, provider and location).
Portable air conditioning units
Energy usage: 1500w
The cost to your back pocket: $62.10 (270kwh) per quarterly bill, if used two hours a day
Smart fridge
Energy usage: 194w
The cost to your back pocket: $44.62 per quarterly bill
Hydrotap
Energy usage: 500w
The cost to your back pocket: $20.70 (90kwh) per quarterly bill, if used two hours a day. (This is based on a family of four using the hydrotap for an average of 2 hours over the course of day).
Plasma screen TVs
52 inch
Energy usage: 340w
The cost to your back pocket: $28.15 (122.4kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 4 hours a day
42 inch
Energy usage: 270w
The cost to your back pocket: $22.36 (97.2kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 4 hours a day
Air purifiers
Energy usage: 130w
The cost to your back pocket: $64.40 (280kwh) per quarterly bill, if used all day
Home entertainment speakers/systems
Energy usage: 900w
The cost to your back pocket: $37.26 (162kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 2 hours a day
Now, let’s take a look at six energy-efficient technologies around the home, with the total cost to a quarterly bill coming in at $14.40. This is also based on a flat electricity tariff of 23c/kwh.
Coffee makers
Energy usage: 800w
The cost to your back pocket: $4.14 (18kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 15 minutes every day
Slow cookers
Energy usage: 300w
The cost to your back pocket: $2.48 (10.8kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 12 hours a month
Game consoles (Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360)
Energy usage: 90w
The cost to your back pocket: $1.88 (8.21kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 1 hour a day
Juicers
Energy usage: 800w
The cost to your back pocket: $4.14 (18kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 15 minutes every day
Food processors
Energy usage: 300w
The cost to your back pocket: $1.55 (6.75kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 15 minutes every day
Rice cookers
Energy usage: 30w
The cost to your back pocket: $0.21 (0.9kwh) per quarterly bill, if used for 20 minutes every day
Before you consider throwing out the new tech, ensuring you’re on the right energy plan is the first step to taking control of your energy costs. Simply reviewing your energy plan and switching to the one best suited for your needs can potentially save you hundreds over the year.
Unfortunately, many Australians think that switching their energy provider is difficult and that their energy supply may be affected. In reality, changing providers is easy; you will receive the same amount of electricity without disconnection and over the change is seamless. It’s important to keep in mind that any last minute switches may mean you aren’t connected when you arrive, so check with your provider before moving.