Reduce peak demand

Reducing consumption and costs

Understanding how much electricity you use can help you reduce your household energy consumption. Hot water systems, air conditioners and pool pumps are typically the biggest electricity users in households.

On very hot days you can help reduce peak demand by limiting use of high energy-consuming appliances in the afternoon and evening.  Here are a few ways you can reduce your energy usage during peak times:

• use only necessary appliances and switch off others when they're not being used
• set your air-conditioner to an energy efficient temperature setting of 24 to 25 degrees in summer and 18 degrees in winter
• put the dishwasher on before you go to bed, rather than straight after dinner
• switch your storage hot water system to the Controlled Load 1 or Controlled Load 2 tariff and save money on your energy bill. Your water is heated during the cheaper, off-peak period of the day and stored for use when you need it. Compare costs with our hot water calculator
• switch your pool pump to the Controlled Load 2 tariff. Compare costs with our pool pump calculator.
• use the BBQ instead of your oven or cooktop. Find out how much using your cooktop is costing you with our cooking calculator
• turn off appliances at the power point instead of leaving them connected and using standby power, you could save up to 10 per cent on your energy bill.

By following these simple steps, you'll be doing your bit to help reduce electricity demand during peak times. Check out more energy saving tips here.