Power to the people: How to save the most with your household appliance use

The cost of running household appliances has soared and every second of use adds up. Here’s what’s doing the most damage to your home bills.

The cost of running household appliances has jumped by as much as 22 per cent this financial year, adding to the pain of rising food bills, new analysis shows.

And it’s not just households feeling the pinch, with Adelaide Zoo now spending $2000 a month to feed its two lions after the cost of meat rose 5 per cent since July.

The zoo’s total fresh produce bill is now $11,000 a month, up from $7700 a month last financial year.

It mirrors the pressure on household budgets dealing with an 11.2 per cent annual rise in beef prices and a 14.5 per cent increase in the cost of vegetables.

The state government’s online appliance cost calculator reveals how much more people are spending every time they flick the switch on dozens of electrical items in their homes.

Using St Vincent de Paul research on market-offer electricity bills in SA, the calculator shows running 24 selected appliances for one hour each day will cost households $1260 this year, up from $1031 last financial year.

Russell Ind food store manager at the Adelaide Zoo, on September 20th, 2022, in Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

St Vincent de Paul energy spokesman Gavin Dufty said the calculations provided a practical guide on how to use energy-hungry appliances sparingly.

“The biggest cost is in heating and cooling – heating hot water and heating or cooling the air in your house,’’ he said.

Using a 3.26kW hot water heater for an hour in 2021/2022 cost householders $1.17, but this year it will cost $1.43.

Mr Dufty said cold water should be used as a hot water substitute when possible, for example for washing clothes.

“Dishwashers and washing machines should be used when full to get more bang for your buck, and if you have off-peak (power deals) run them in off-peak times,’’ he said.

It costs 79c an hour to run a dishwasher, up from 65c last financial year.

And using a 700W washing machine for the same time costs 31c, up from 26c.

St Vincent de Paul estimates the cost of running appliances is now 44c per kWh, compared with 36c last year, but people can find the exact rate they are being charged at the top of every electricity bill.

An hour of hair curling will cost you 17c this year, up from 14c, and even one of the cheapest appliances, the heated towel rail, will add 4c an hour to your bill, compared with 3c last year.

Uniting Communities energy expert Aasha Sriram said heating and cooling water and air made up 63 per cent of the average household electricity bill.

“Setting the heating temp as low as possible can save a lot, ideally at 21C,’’ she said.

“Also set the cooling temp as high as possible while being comfortable, ideally 24C or over.”

The cost-of-living crisis has prompted St Vincent de Paul to call for more assistance for low-income households.

Jen and Tim Blackmore, with ten-month-old identical twin daughters Pia and Izzy, recently noticed a big spike in her household power bill. TVs are among the biggest energy draining appliances in our homes. Picture: Tim Carrafa

But a state government spokeswoman said it had already begun easing the cost-of-living problems for South Australians.

“The government more than doubled the cost-of-living concession in the 2022-23 state budget, at a cost of $39m,’’ the spokeswoman said.

“This is worth up to $231.80 per household.

“We offer the Energy Advisory Service, which is a free service that provides independent information on energy topics, including how to save energy at home.

“Anyone can use this service by calling 8204 1888 or by emailing [e-mail].”

South Australian Council of Social Service CEO Ross Womersley said energy bills, including gas, were hitting low-income earners hard.

“There is also nothing to stop you contacting your retailer to ask for a better deal – so give it a try,’’ he said.

Head of Zoos SA Elaine Bensted said great care was being taken to buy affordable meals for the specific nutritional and veterinary needs of each animal.

Like humans, many of the 3000 animals in care have become victims of the iceberg lettuce price explosion.

“Our food store manager at Adelaide Zoo recently swapped out iceberg lettuce for spinach as it is more economical,’’ Ms Bensted said.

Originally published as Power to the people: How to save the most with your household appliance use