July of this year will mark two utility increases that Australian households are certain to be dreading.  Water will increase by 3.5%, and electricity prices are set to increase by up to 18%.

It’s no secret that water is one of the most important resources we have. Likewise, electricity is an essential part of modern life. Yet, utility prices continue to soar.

A recent survey by Beyond Bank revealed that one in four Australians are struggling to cope with rising living costs.

Further concerning is the warning issued by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). They’ve warned that the average household electricity bill could increase by another 20% next year.

The good news is that there are many affordable ways to reduce your water and energy consumption.

1. If you are an Arc Energy customer – you will be pleased to know that our rates have only moved down over the last three years because of our smart buying methods and ability to gauge the market trends.

2.We also install in all our embedded apartments a smart app monitoring device (smart homes) to help our occupants change bad energy usage habits

3.An Arc Energy Central system operates 30% more efficiently than the brands used by our competitors  

If you are not an Arc Energy customer then you should be doing the following:-

1.Contact Your Utility Provider

If you’ve been with the same energy provider for a while, it’s always a good idea to call and ask them if they can give you a better deal.

Energy is an essential service and retailers are legally required to offer help to customers struggling to make payments.

Ask your provider about the best plan for you and whether payment plans are available. Plus, there are government assistance programs like power-saving bonuses, voucher schemes, and energy rebates.

Your water supplier may also be able to provide a payment plan in times of financial difficulty. If they are unable to provide a payment plan, the Water Payment Assistance Scheme (PAS) can help eligible customers receive water credits.

2. Fix Leaks ASAP 

Seal air leaks around doors and windows through caulking or weather-stripping. Sealing these leaks will help keep warm air inside your home during winter and cool air inside during summer.

Check your faucets for leaks. A leaky faucet can waste litres of water per week. However, fixing leaks is cheap and easy with tools most people already have at home.

3.Install Energy and Water Efficient Appliances 

LEDs can use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. So you’ll save money on replacements.

According to energy.gov.au, by replacing 10 halogen light bulbs with LEDs, an average household can expect to save around $650 over 10 years on their electricity bill.

To save on water, install low-flow faucets and showerheads at home. Dual-flush toilets can save a family of four up to 35,000 litres of water a year.

4.Turn Off Lights When Not in Use

Many people leave lights on in unused rooms or forget to turn them off when they leave. It’s especially important to remember this if you have kids who like to play with light switches and faucets.

5. Unplug Appliances When Not in Use

If you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. This includes your computer, television, microwave oven, and coffeemaker. When appliances are plugged in but not running, they still use energy.

Some devices even continue to draw energy even when they’re plugged into an outlet that isn’t switched on. You may want to plug these things into power strips and switch the strips off when you aren’t using them.

6. Rainwater Harvesting 

Due to the rising cost of water and drought-stricken areas in many parts of Australia, people are starting to look into other options such as rainwater harvesting or even recycling grey water.

While rainwater tanks will have upfront and maintenance costs, rebates for water tanks are available from the Australian government. Rebate amounts depend on tank volume and other factors.

7.   Use Household Appliances Efficiently

If you have an older refrigerator or freezer that doesn’t have an energy saver feature, consider replacing it with one that does — especially if it’s more than 10 years old. Only use your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads to optimise water usage.

It’s obvious that elevated electricity and water prices are becoming the norm. However, that doesn’t mean your household bills need to go through the roof. For further savings contact Arc Energy to help you insulate and improve your efficiency.