Good tips to cut costs

A Bunbury white goods company is offering people tips to save money on soaring power bills this winter as a chill bites the port city.

Proprietor of The Good Guys Bunbury James Lee said that with a drop in temperature and a hike in energy prices, there were easy ways to save energy and money, particularly by choosing the right home appliances.

‘‘A few small changes can make a big difference to your energy bills and your hip pocket,’’ Mr Lee said.

He said although they were more expensive, people should buy appliances with the highest energy and water star rating, which could save them up to 30 per cent on running costs each year.

Mr Lee’s other tips to reduce electricity bills include turning off appliances at the main switch when not in use, using dishwashers only when they are full, choosing the right size fridge for your needs and setting the oven to ‘‘fan forced’’ to reduce cooking time.

The Good Guys Bunbury teamed up with home appliance company Dyson recently, by providing a vacuum cleaner recycling initiative to reduce the number going to landfill.

According to Planet Ark, an estimated 1.2million vacuum cleaners make their way to landfill across Australia.