Pensioners Judy and John McIntosh live with their daughter and her three children in Western Sydney. They joined the Home Power Savings Program to find out how to save more money on their power bills.
"I'd just installed solar hot water and solar panels on my roof and thought it was a natural progression to find out how I could be more energy efficient", tells John.
Ms Beavis, a trained energy expert, conducted the home power assessment and explained that hot water accounts for more than one third of most households' electricity use.
"Energy-efficient hot water systems can make a big difference to bills and you can save even more by having shorter showers, switching to a low flow showerhead and washing clothes in cold water," Ms Beavis said.
During the assessment Ms Beavis installed a shower timer, draught-proofing material around the door and a door snake. These devices will help save the McIntosh family $120 per year.
Fridges are also big users of power, with refrigeration accounting for almost half of the McIntosh's power use. By getting rid of their second fridge through the Fridge Buyback Program the McIntosh family will receive a $35 rebate and save up to $210 a year on power bills.
Savings will vary between households depending on the type of hot water system in use, the size of the household and the efficiency and number of appliances in the home.
Simple device to help us measure carbon pollution in our homes and businesses.
Phone 1300 662 416 or Request a call back
Available to NSW residents with a Pensioner Concession, Low Income Health Care or Veterans' Affairs card or energy utility hardship customer.
"Our last electricity bill was only $100. The one before that was $340. My wife and I were really pleased with the assessor and he taught us things that we did not know. Six months later we are still using the door snakes and shower timer. They are really good." Dennis (Colyton)
"I'm still using the shower timer and when doing my clothes washing I always do a full load. My best tip for others to save power is to use the lower wattage energy efficient light globes." Ron (Willmont)
"My last electricity account was $100 cheaper than ever before." Philomena (Acacia Gardens)
"Since joining the program my power bills have not been as high and the house is much warmer for longer with the draught stoppers. This has meant savings on my heating costs." Marie (South Penrith)
"Our plan showed us where we can save the most money and what our most wasteful appliances are. We then weighed that up against the cost of replacing them with energy efficient appliances." John (Western Sydney)
"I had no idea about the things you could do to save power, so it was good to find out what uses the most electricity in my home. It was also good to find out how much money you can save by doing the actions they recommend." Eh Soe (Fairfield)
"I found the assessment useful and learnt a lot. It was easy to sign up and it's a simple way for me to save money on my power bills." John (Blacktown)
"He [the energy expert] was really nice, helpful and knowledgeable. It's good to get information that is really specific to my house and my situation. I always had my air conditioner on 25 degrees but he took the time to explain to me that it is more economical to turn it down a few degrees and I have done ever since."Norma (Glenhaven)