- Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it.
- Switch off all appliances at the wall when not in use, including the microwave.
- Thaw food in the fridge the night before it’s needed to avoid using energy to defrost.
- Check the seals on your fridge doors. If you can slip a $5 note between the fridge and the door, you should replace your seals.
- Remove dust from the back of the fridge. Give the condenser coil a quick vacuum to remove any dust build-up.
- Keep your fridge and freezer at the optimal temperature. For fridges it’s between 3° & 5°C, and freezers should be around -18°c.
- Defrost your freezer. If the ice in your freezer is thicker than 5mm, defrosting it can improve energy efficiency.
- Don’t under-fill or overfill your fridge or freezer. Find the right balance. Cooling sparse shelves is not energy efficient, but over crowded shelves will take more energy to cool.
- Switch off the beer fridge. Having a second fridge can cost as much as $230 a year.
- Thaw frozen food in the fridge not the microwave. It might take a bit longer, but it’s more energy efficient.
- Clean your dishwasher filter regularly. Your dishwasher cleans dishes, not itself, cleaning the filter will make it run better.
- Use a cold water connection for your dishwasher. This will save on water heating costs.
- Clean all your dirty dishes at the same time. Running your dishwasher with a full load is the most energy efficient way to use it.
- Choose the right pots and pans. Use pots and pans with tight fitting lids and flat bases that cover the entire hotplate to minimise energy loss.
- Fire up the barbie once a week. Give your electric appliances a break and use your barbecue one night a week.
- Only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need. The water you don’t use will just get cold and need to be heated again.
- Consider upgrading really old appliances. Old fridges and dishwashers are not generally as energy efficient as newer models. Check energy star ratings before buying new appliances.