Top energy saving tips for the school holidays

A mother sits with a young daughter at a table covered with paints while in the background a father and son are baking together in the kitchen

We look at some ways to help reduce your bill during the holidays, without sacrificing fun with the family.

School holidays can be a busy and expensive time for families. With kids at home and looking to be entertained, we tend to use more electricity and gas, ending up with a bigger energy bill. Here are some energy saving tips that may help reduce your bill these holidays, without sacrificing fun with the family.

Increase your kitchen's energy efficiency

The kitchen is a haven for wasted energy. Outdated appliances are a known culprit, but there are sneaky energy wasters that can get out of control when the kitchen is busier than usual. Luckily, you have some options to save power when it comes to cooking.

  • Batch cooking: heating up the pot or pan numerous times in a day can consume a lot of energy. Consider cooking meals in bulk if you can - a cook once, eat twice policy also saves time.
  • Cook outdoors: using a BBQ can take the heat away from inside the home, keeping it cooler.
  • 'No cook' or cool meals: try making food that you don't have to cook. Think sandwiches, wraps, smoothie bowls or salads. Remember that leftovers need to be eaten too.
Did you know

Did you know? Fridges and freezers account for about 10% of a household's energy bills. Make sure you check energy ratings and never buy a fridge larger than you need - it'll just sap energy.

Smart alternatives to air conditioning

Turning on the air conditioning is an easy, but expensive option to heat or cool a home. Rather than race to the air con, try some other low-cost options.

  • Outdoor play: encouraging your kids to engage in outdoor play may help lower reliance on indoor climate control systems. It also pushes them off their devices, so lock in time to go to the beach, local park or organise a family bush walk.
  • Low-tech options: consider a low-tech options before turning on air conditioning. Fans can be an easy and cheaper alternative to beat the heat in summer, and when the weather cools, keeping cozy under a throw blanket is a free and appealing option.
  • Cover your windows: keep direct sunlight from streaming into your home (and heating up the rooms) by drawing the blinds or curtains during the day. In winter, do the exact opposite and make the most of the warmth, then check for gaps in windows or doors to make sure the heat can't escape.
Did you know

Did you know? Each degree of extra heating during winter or cooling through summer increases your energy use between 5% and 10% - best to weigh up alternatives before switching on the AC.

Lighting your home cost effectively

Unnecessary lighting, especially during the day, is sending your bill skyward. This is especially the case with kids home, so make sure they're in the habit of switching the lights off when leaving a room, or better yet, not turning them on at all unless it's actually dark.

  • Invest in your lights: LEDs are considered better value than halogen and other incandescent lightbulbs. They use less energy to produce the same amount of light and have a longer lifespan - a win for both energy consumption and replacement costs.
  • Lights off: make the most of natural light. If lights aren't essential, why are we using them?
Did you know

Did you know? LEDs use about 75% less energy than halogen light bulbs.

Energy-free fun around the house

Encouraging power-free time can create positive habits. If your kids struggle to put down devices, try a 'power-free' hour (or longer!) at a certain time each day where the whole family disconnects from technology. Some fun things kids can do independently or as part of the family include:

  • Read books: the perfect way to unwind. Consider purchasing a book light so you can avoid using the main lights, plus it creates a cosy atmosphere!
  • Play games: board game, card game or a puzzle. The options are endless.
  • Get creative: Drawing, sketching and paper crafts can get a little messy, but they're power-free ways to spark creativity.
Did you know

Did you know? Appliances make up about 30% of household energy use. Simply switching off more often makes a big difference.

Turn energy wasters into fixers

If your children haven't quite mastered energy saving habits, create a game by giving them a list of energy wasters to find around the house. These could be lights left on, items charging unnecessarily or on standby. Turn it into a 'power smart' challenge with prizes if necessary, and it will help build energy awareness and hopefully lead to some savings.

Being energy smart during the school holidays doesn't have to be complicated. By adopting a few simple habits and making some small changes, you can work towards reducing energy consumption - and enjoying the holidays at the same time.


Acknowledgement of Country
Alinta Energy acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and conduct our business operations.  We acknowledge the continuing connections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to Country and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

campfire