Data from the government website reveals that household appliances account for one-third of energy consumption in an average home in Australia each year. That includes around 15 percent electrical appliances, like vacuum cleaners, irons and kettles, use and the 9 percent freezers and fridges consume. Moreover, around 50 percent of households in Australia use dryers, which form part of the major energy guzzlers in the country.

To know the amount of energy your appliance uses, you just need your electricity rate and the wattage of your appliances to work it out. The electricity rate refers to the amount you pay for every kilowatt-hour. Generally, the domestic peak rate stands at 15 cents per every kilowatt-hour (KWh).

A quick example, to run your 2 kilowatt (KW) fan heater, you will need to pay 30 cents for every hour. Here are the other common appliances in the country and the cost you might be spending to run them.

1) Fan heaters

Oil-filled radiator and fan heater

If you have been using a portable fan heater in your home, it’s time to ditch it. The fan uses around 1000W-2400W per hour. That would roughly cost you $0.30-$0.70 per hour of use. Don’t be fooled by the small size and portable nature, it’s energy consumption and running cost is high if you’re not careful.

2) Cooling fan

Silver ceiling fan

Cooling fans consume a varying amount of energy. Average outdoor deck fans use 250W for each hour of use. Average ceiling fans require 65W to run per hour and the desk or pedestal fans require 40W per hour. To save money, you need to go for fans instead of the evaporative and refrigerated cooling systems that require around 1500W per hour to run.

3) Clothes dryers

Closeup of clothes dryer

To run a clothes dryer for one hour, you will need 4.6KW. That will cost you around $1.40 per hour. The cost might be seemingly less but it all adds up.

4) Air conditioners

Air conditioner cassette type installed on wooden ceilings.

During the blazing summer heat in Australia, a 2.5KW air conditioner unit operating at roughly 70 percent capacity for one hour will consume over 672 watts to do the icy job. A 5KW unit will eat up to 1393W to cool two rooms and a 12KW will use over 3.5KW to cool the entire house. You can reduce the consumption by closing the doors of any uninhabited rooms. At 70 percent capacity, the air conditioner will have added your energy bill by $1.00 (for 3.5KW) every hour.

5) Television

Rear view of couple watching television

The size of television does not matter anymore in most homes. However, the size determines the amount you spend on your energy bills. If you require a large plasma TV, you should be ready to pay for it. The TV consumes roughly 19 percent of your total energy consumption each month. Moreover, by leaving the TV on standby mode, you will spend over $26 each year. Therefore it is advisable to completely turn it off when you are not watching.

Gordon’s Powers can help!

To reduce the amount of energy your home appliances consume each year, it is advisable to avoid the standby mode. Appliances on standby mode account for around 10 percent of your energy costs each month. Switch your appliances off at the wall socket to avoid that. Adjust the settings appropriately and use the right sized saucepans in your kitchen.

Gordon’s Powers has dealt with numerous household energy efficient appliances over many years we have been operating. We are familiar and experts in electrical appliances and the best ways to minimise your electricity bills.

Please do not hesitate to contact us today over the phone on 9199 7480 for a free quotation on your electrical needs!