12 practical ways to cut your power bill

Beyond switching plans: the habits and upgrades that actually move the needle.

By EnergySorted Editorial Team · Updated 27 July 2026 · 5 min read

Free changes (do these first)

Shift heavy use (dishwasher, washing, pool pump) to off-peak or the middle of the day if you have solar or a time-of-use tariff.
Set heating to 18–20°C and cooling to 24–26°C. Each degree beyond that adds roughly 5–10% to that appliance’s running cost.
Turn off the second fridge. An old beer fridge can cost $150+/year on its own.
Use cold water for washing; the heater does most of the work in a hot wash.
Check you are on the right tariff for your habits. A time-of-use plan only pays off if you can shift load.

Low-cost upgrades

Switch remaining halogen/incandescent globes to LED. They use around 80% less power.
Draught-proof doors and windows; heating and cooling is the biggest slice of most bills.
Put the hot water system on a timer or controlled-load tariff.
Use a smart plug or timer on the pool pump and reduce its run hours.

Bigger investments

Rooftop solar: use the solar savings calculator to see if it stacks up for your usage.
A heat-pump hot water system uses roughly a third of the energy of an electric-element one.
A home battery if you export a lot of cheap solar and buy it back at peak. Size it with the Battery estimator.

Frequently asked questions

What is the single biggest thing I can do to cut my bill?

For most homes it is heating and cooling, which is the largest slice of the bill. Setting the thermostat one or two degrees closer to outside (18 to 20 degrees for heating, 24 to 26 for cooling) and draught-proofing costs nothing and cuts the biggest load. After that, make sure your plan is competitive.

Does turning appliances off at the wall really save much?

A little, and it adds up. Standby power from TVs, consoles, chargers and set-top boxes can quietly cost a household $100 or more a year. See standby power, the phantom load draining your bill for the worst offenders.

How much does an old second fridge cost to run?

An old beer or garage fridge often costs $150 or more a year on its own, because ageing seals and compressors are far less efficient than a modern unit. Switching it off except when you actually need the extra space is one of the easiest wins in the house.

Is it cheaper to run the pool pump at night?

On a time-of-use tariff, yes, and you can usually cut the daily run hours as well without hurting water quality. A timer that shifts the pump to off-peak and trims its hours is one of the highest-value changes for a pool home. See pool pump running cost and how to slash it.

Do LED globes actually make a noticeable difference?

They use around 80% less power than halogen or incandescent globes and last far longer. Lighting is a small slice of the bill, but LEDs pay for themselves quickly and the upgrade is cheap and permanent.

Will switching to a heat-pump hot water system pay off?

A heat-pump uses roughly a third of the energy of an electric-element system, so for a household with high hot-water use the running-cost saving is large, and rebates often cut the upfront cost. Compare it against gas and solar hot water for your own situation before deciding.

Is a time-of-use plan worth it for saving money?

Only if you can genuinely shift big loads (dishwasher, washing, pool pump, EV charging) into the cheap off-peak or daytime solar window. If your use is locked into the evening peak, a flat single-rate plan can work out cheaper, so match the tariff to your habits.

Do the free habit changes really beat switching plans?

They are different levers and you should pull both. Habit changes cut how many kWh you use; switching cuts the price per kWh and the supply charge. The biggest savings come from doing both, which is why we suggest reviewing your plan after tackling the loads.

What temperature should I set heating and cooling to?

Aim for 18 to 20 degrees for heating and 24 to 26 for cooling. Each degree past that adds roughly 5 to 10% to that appliance's running cost, so a thermostat set to 28 in winter is quietly one of the most expensive habits in the house.

Are solar panels still worth it for cutting my bill?

For many homes with decent daytime use or a battery, yes, though payback depends on your roof, usage and the feed-in rate. Run your own numbers on your real usage before committing, rather than relying on a salesperson's estimate.

I have tried everything and my bill is still high. What now?

Re-check your plan on your real usage, because habit changes cannot fix an uncompetitive rate or a stepped-up benefit period. EnergySorted costs every plan against your actual bill and takes zero retailer commission, so it shows the genuinely cheapest option, not the best-advertised one.

Does washing in cold water actually save money?

Yes. In a hot wash the water heater does most of the work, so switching to a cold cycle removes that heating cost on every load while cleaning normal laundry just as well.

General information only, current at the time of writing. Not financial advice. Rebate schemes and rules change; always confirm details with your retailer or state government energy site.