South Australia has, on average, some of the steepest energy bills in the country. Why? It all comes down to two things: the cost of power and personal energy usage. To help you reduce your own electricity costs, here's a rundown of what the average Adelaide resident pays, and how you can reduce yours.

Electricity Usage

What makes up the biggest portion of your power bill? Electricity usage! Everything from switching the lights on to making coffee adds up eventually. That said, electricity usage isn't the only charge you pay – there's a little more to the average bill. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know. 

Electricity Costs

The average cost of power in Adelaide runs around $1455 per year. However, it all depends on your personal energy consumption – you might pay quite a bit more than this. 

Still, you're hopefully paying less than the South Australia average, which is $1759 every year. The bill consists of:

• The electricity usage costs: we'll start with this since it's the part you have the most control over. How much you pay depends on your energy contract and your power consumption, among other things. 

• Your supply rates: no matter how much electricity you use, you pay a fee for connecting to the power supply.

Tips for Reducing Your Bills

Now we're clear on what the average power bill looks like, here are six things you can do to pay below average rates. 

Keep Doors Closed

Closing doors, windows and curtains are all cost-effective ways to insulate your home right now. In the long run, insulation can reduce the cost of power. 

If you have some spare cash, consider investing in some new insulation, too. 

Upgrade Kitchen Appliances

If you can afford it, consider upgrading your white goods and other kitchen appliances to newer models with higher energy ratings. These models consume less power.

Run Colder Wash Cycles

Do you really need to wash everything at 40 or 60 Celsius? No. Usually, 30 Celsius or lower is perfectly fine, so keep the high temperatures for really soiled loads.

Improve Your Appliance Performance

Even if you're not upgrading your appliances, you can make your existing appliances work better. Simple tweaks like turning the heating down can reduce your energy consumption.

Take Shorter Showers

Here's a challenge for you. For a few months, shave 1 minute off your average shower time and ask your family to do the same. Chances are, it'll eventually make a difference. 

Compare Suppliers

When was the last time you compared energy tariffs on a price comparison website? You might find you can get a cheaper package elsewhere – be sure to check this out. 

Conclusion

Unhappy with the cost of power in your home? Start making changes today by using less energy, keeping the doors closed, and switching your appliances for more efficient models. Just a few changes are enough to make a real difference to your bill in the long term – contact us today for more advice.