June 2, 2021
What does a $1 worth of power buy you this winter?
According to national data, using a reverse-cycle air conditioner to keep warm is one of the cheapest ways to keep your house warm.
“(It costs) around a dollar to run the average sized system at 20 degrees Celsius in a 36 square metre area for two hours,” Ergon Energy spokesman Michael Dart said.
“People often love a longer, hot shower in winter, but for every 15 minutes it’s costing $1 – not to mention the additional water in dry areas.
“And just as you would on fine days in summer, continue using the clothesline and sun for drying laundry where possible because using the dryer can cost up to a dollar per load.”
Mr Dart said a dollar would buy around 20 hours of binge watching your favourite series on a smart TV.
“Charging your smart phone is extremely cheap, costing just a dollar for a whole year,” he said.
“It’s hard to resist comfort food in the cooler months and using your oven to cook a hearty meal will cost a dollar, while your fridge costs about the same to run for two to three days, depending on its size.
“When doing the washing, a dollar will clean around five loads in a front-loading machine compared to three cycles in a top loader.
“Washing the dishes costs around the same as your front loader, getting around three rounds of plates and cutlery done for a dollar.
“If going for a drive is your thing in the cool weather and you have an electric car then you’re doing it pretty economically, motoring around 18km for just one dollar.”
- The Energy Networks Australia fact sheet on how what $1 of power buys you can be downloaded here
