22 SEP 2026
Author: Jemesa Landers
If your power bill feels higher than you’d like, start with the everyday habits that usually make the biggest difference: hot water, heating, laundry and appliances that run often. Shorter showers, cold washes when suitable, keeping warmth in, running full loads and switching off equipment you don’t need can all help reduce electricity use at home.
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Choose one or two changes that fit your household, then build from there once they feel easy.
Hot water can be a significant part of household electricity use. Reducing a long shower by a few minutes saves both water and the electricity used to heat it.
If your shower has a very high flow, ask a plumber or suitable professional about efficient shower head options that still feel comfortable to use.
Many everyday laundry loads can be washed in cold water, especially with modern detergents and washing machines. Follow clothing care labels and use warm or hot washes when hygiene or fabric instructions call for them.
Wait until you have a full load, but don’t overfill the machine. A full, well balanced load makes better use of the water and energy already being used.
Open curtains during the day when the sun is coming in, then close them before it gets dark. Stop noticeable draughts around doors and windows, and heat the room people are using rather than trying to warm the whole home where practical.
Small changes like closing doors, using curtains well and keeping damp air under control can make your heating work more effectively.
On hot days, avoid adding extra heat inside when you can. Use the oven at a cooler time of day or choose a smaller appliance, like a microwave, air fryer or barbecue, when it suits the meal.
Closing curtains or blinds on sunny windows and opening windows once the outside air cools can also help keep the house comfortable without relying as much on cooling.
A slow cooker, microwave, air fryer or smaller appliance can be useful for the right meal, especially when you don’t need to heat a full oven. The best option depends on the appliance, cooking time, portion size and how your household actually cooks.
Start with things that don’t need to stay connected: spare screens, game consoles, chargers, entertainment gear and a second fridge that’s sitting empty. A switched power board can make several low-power devices easier to turn off together.
Never overload a power board, and plug high-load appliances directly into a suitable wall socket.
Review your usage in the Contact app or My Account to see when your household uses the most electricity. Then compare plans using your real routine and address. A plan with free or discounted hours only helps if you can shift enough usage into those periods.
Start with hot water and heating, because they can make a noticeable difference in many homes. Try shorter showers, cold washes when suitable, closing curtains before dark and heating only the room you’re using.
Possible reasons include colder weather, more people at home, a longer billing period, higher rates, an estimated meter reading, a faulty appliance or a change in hot water use. Compare usage, rates and billing days separately so you can see what changed.
They can, especially when the habits affect things you use often, like hot water, heating, laundry, lighting or appliances on standby. The biggest benefit usually comes from choosing changes you can repeat most days.
Get in touch with Contact early. The customer team can explain your account and talk through payment or support options that may be available.
Suggested next step: Want more ideas for using less power at home? Explore Contact’s energy saving guide, compare current plans or check out our Wellbeing support if you are having difficulty paying your bills. Alternatively, Billy or Powerswitch are simple ways to check if your power plan still suits your household and how you use energy.
For independent complaint or pricing advice, UDL, Billy & Powerswitch can help.
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