As your dedicated, experienced electrician based in Wentworthville,

I know how frustrating it can be to have a high electricity bill. Fortunately, you do not need to upgrade your whole home to start saving.

In most cases, the greatest expense of the electricity bill is caused by a series of inefficient habits and simple electrical problems that we can easily fix. Below are my top tips for residents of Wentworthville to help reduce their energy consumption and keep more money in their pockets.

1. Remove standby power at the wall.

Did you know that several of your electronics are using up energy even when they are not in use? This is known as standby power and adds about 5-10% to your total electricity bill!

The solution from your electrician:

• Turn Off: Make it a habit of turning off TVs, gaming consoles, computer monitors, and chargers when they are not being used.

• Power Strips: For your home theater or your home office, plug everything into a single power board so that with one switch, you can power off your entire setup when you go to bed or when you leave the home.

2. Improve your lighting to modern, high efficiency

Lighting is probably one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to upgrade for quick savings, and if you still have incandescent or halogen downlights, you are literally throwing money away!

The Electricians Fix:

• Go LED—for sure! LED globes use up to 80% less energy than old-style bulbs and last orders of magnitude longer as well. Getting your whole home or office upgraded to modern LED downlights, with multiple times better light quality, is a very easy upgrade for us to achieve.

• Garden light controllers or smart sensors are a great option for outdoor and security lighting as well. With the right controller, you could ensure your outdoor lighting is only running when you need it to; otherwise, it's wasting power all night long.

3. Smart Climate Control starts with Wiring

In places like Wentworthville, heating and cooling are frequently the biggest energy consumption, and you need to get these right for any decent savings...

The Electricians Fix:

• The Efficiency of Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans consume significantly less energy than A/C. If we install new energy-efficient ceiling fans in your primary living areas, you can enjoy a comfortable level of wind while delaying or lessening the consumption of A/C.

• Zoning and Thermostat Location: If you have zoning with a ducted system, make sure it is functioning effectively by only heating or cooling the rooms that are going to be used. I can help determine whether the location and settings of your thermostat are working properly so that it efficiently operates without constantly working against the exterior temperature.

4. Check Appliance Energy Ratings:

I am not able to replace your appliances; however, I'm able to help you out with the PowerPoint and wiring of your appliance to help with operating as well as it was designed to. If you are looking to buy a new fridge, washing machine, or A/C, make sure to check and evaluate the energy ratings on the Energy Rating Label and Gas Rating Label.

Electricians fix:

• High Stars = Lower Bills: ALWAYS get the appliance with the highest star rating that you can afford; it will cost you less energy over the expected lifetime of the appliance. The higher initial investment is generally recovered rapidly through reduced operating costs.

• Dedicated Circuits: Major appliances such as ovens and A/C units should be connected to a dedicated circuit. Not only does this prevent tripping, but it also provides your appliance with clean, steady power supply that can also help

5. Monitor Hot Water Usage

Heating water is often the second-largest energy cost in an Australian home.

The Electrician's Fix:

• In the mood to start saving?

Small modifications will save you on your electricity bill every month and be safer and more efficient overall.

If you do live in Wentworthville and want to discuss getting the lights changed to LED, an electrical safety inspection, or installing energy-reducing timers and/or ceiling fans, call me. I am the local electrician; I can do this! I want to help you to be sure your home works as safely and as proficiently as it can!

Contact [Electrical Edge Solutions Pty Ltd] today for an electrical efficiency audit and start saving!