Energy efficiency in your home
Appliances account for around 30% of energy use in your home. When you replace old appliances with more energy-efficient models, you can reduce your power costs.
Energy-efficient appliances are also a more sustainable solution for the environment. Using them in your home can significantly reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
By using a 4-star or higher energy-efficient appliance, you could:
- save up to $134 per year on your energy bill
- reduce carbon emissions by up to 0.35 tonnes each year.
If you install an energy-efficient hot water system, your bill could reduce by up to $1,118 per year, and your carbon emissions may drop by as much as 2.96 tonnes annually.
The table below shows how upgrading to a more energy-efficient appliance could benefit you.
| Appliance | Upgrade | Avg. savings / year | Avg. reduce tCO2e / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes washing machines | 2-star to 4-star | $117 | 0.31 |
| Clothes dryers | 2-star to 4-star | $30 | 0.08 |
| Dishwashers | 2-star to 4-star | $75 | 0.20 |
| Refrigerators | 2.5-star to 4-star | $32 | 0.08 |
| Air conditioners | 3-star to 4-star | $134 | 0.35 |
| Heat pump hot water systems | From electric storage | $1118 | 2.96 |
| Solar hot water systems | From electric storage | $1050 | 2.78 |
Notes:
- tCO2e = tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
- Actual results will vary depending on household usage, location and appliance.
- Appliance data is based on energyrating.gov.au calculator for specific appliance types.
- Hot water data is based on energyrating.gov.au calculator data and Queensland FY2023-24 Tariff11 rate.
- Emissions data based on average kilowatt hour (kWh) savings and 0.00088 tCO2e/kWh.
Air conditioning rewards
In addition to the Climate Smart Energy Savers rebate, Energex and Ergon Energy are offering up to $400 cash back through the PeakSmart program if you replace your old air conditioner with a PeakSmart-compatible model.
PeakSmart air conditioning helps reduce peak demand by dropping your air conditioner into a lower performance mode (like an economy mode) when the network is under stress, which only occurs a few times a year.
The technology is designed to be 'set and forget', so once you’ve signed up to the PeakSmart program, you won't have to do anything.
Visit the Energex website (in South East Queensland) or Ergon Energy website (in regional Queensland).
Energy efficiency tips
There are lots of things you can do to manage energy use in your home, like adjusting the temperature on air conditioners or installing timers on appliances.
Read our Energy Efficiency Guide and our tips to reduce your electricity bill to learn more.
Removing your old appliance
When buying a new appliance, consider how to dispose of your old one. You should never put electrical appliances in your recycling bin at home.
- Ask your appliance retailer or installer about taking them away.
- Visit Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website to find a drop-off location that will recycle them.
- Your local council may also have drop-off points for some electrical appliances.
Whichever service you use, make sure you check if they will accept your appliance.