Family shares secrets to slashing power bill

TOOWOOMBA mum Angela Knee believes cutting a household’s electricity bill can be easy. You've just got to be switched on.

TOOWOOMBA mum Angela Knee believes cutting a household's electricity bill can be easy.

Electricity prices are set to rise by 13.6% on July 1 and power bills are going to become an even bigger issue for family budgets.

The increase means bills for a family of four will go up on average of $191 a year.

Ms Knee, who lives in Newtown with their three kids and fiancé Oren Maxwell, believes common sense was the secret to keeping power bills in check.

Ms Knee and her family of five always keep their bill around $300 despite the Queensland Competition Authority listing the average power bill for a family of four at $501 a quarter.

"We don't really do too much to cut our bill," Ms Knee said.

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"Basic things like turning lights or other appliances off when not in use is important to keeping the cost down.

"Not having air conditioning or central heating helps keep the bill down.

"However, we never hold off from using electronic devices around the house."

Ms Knee said changing to fluorescent light bulbs had also made an impact on the bill.

"We have installed lower voltage globes around the house recently," she said.

"It is an easy change to make, however it can make a big difference."

For mother-of-four Belinda Woolford, the incoming electricity price increases will mean a number of changes around the house.

"Even with my husband and me both working, every small price rise makes a big impact on the back pocket," Mrs Woolford said.

"We will need to start cutting back on more and more just to be able to make ends meet if electricity prices and other rates continue to skyrocket.

"There are always a few things you can do to save power so hopefully it will help us keep the bills down."

POWER SAVING TIP #3

Switch off and unplug appliances at the wall when not in use. Even on standby mode they can add more and more to your bill.

POWER SAVING TIP #2

Change light bulbs to energy efficient globes. Turning off lights when not in a room is another energy saving technique.

POWER SAVING TIP #1

Only use dishwashers and washing machines when you have a full load. Setting the washing machine to a cold water setting can also help save you money.

Originally published as Family shares secrets to slashing power bill