Where to spend and save on appliances to reduce energy bills

LED downlights 

Old-school incandescent lights haven’t been a thing here in Australia since they were phased out in 2009, but there’s still a big difference between halogen or fluorescent lights, and actual LED downlights.  

Designed to save you energy and money, your average LED light can last up to 40 times longer than an equivalent halogen light, meaning that not only do they use less energy, but you’ll wind up having to replace them far less often as well. 

Dishwasher 

From a pure energy-saving perspective, dishwashers don’t vary too much. However, a good dishwasher will save you big dollars when it comes time to pay the water bill, and every drop of water saved is a worthwhile investment.  

Take the time to pick a dishwasher that suits your household and prioritise one that's water efficient as well as energy saving. 

Hot tip: save more money on your water bill by making sure the dishwasher is full before running a cycle – because no matter whether there is one dish in the dishwasher, or 100 dishes, the water usage is the same. 

TV 

Surprisingly, your TV can use more energy than your fridge or freezer, so it’s a smart move to invest in a TV that balances power consumption with good picture quality.  

Look for things like energy star ratings to compare brands and sizes – the more stars, the more efficient the TV is, therefore the less it will cost over the long run.  

While you're at it, have a look at what the TV screen is made of, as this can also impact household bills. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED), light-emitting diode (LED) and liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs generally use less energy than plasmas.  

Air fryer 

This one might seem out of the ordinary, but an air fryer could save you big dollars. Air fryers are small convection ovens ideal for cooking frozen meals or reheating leftovers, and they’re the perfect addition to any modern energy-saving kitchen as they require no preheating.  

Plus, air fryers use less energy overall than a traditional conventional oven because you’re not heating an entire oven for one sausage roll, but rather a smaller space that will heat up in less time. 

Don't give your oven the flick just yet though - part of the reason air fryers are energy efficient is because of their size, so if you need to roast a whole chicken or bake something for a large family, you’ll appreciate the space an oven offers. 

Dehumidifier  

If your home is affected by dampness, leaks, or if there is the possibility of a flood, a dehumidifier could be the thing that saves you, and your wallet.  

Beneficial in reducing condensation, a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, helping to prevent mould. This happens by drawing air in, then filtering and cooling it to condense moisture, before reheating the air, and then warmer and dryer air is released.  

It’s worth investing in a good dehumidifier, as cheaper models have fewer features, a smaller tank capacity and may not be as efficient at water removal, whereas a more expensive model generally has a larger tank capacity and works more effectively.  

Having said that, think about the space you need a dehumidifier for and the area size it needs to work in, because a big bulky dehumidifier consumes a lot more energy, and a smaller model might be all you need.