Detective Watts - SA Power Networks

Infographic - How electricity gets to your home

How does electricity get to your home?

Electricity is made at a power plant. It then travels on wires to substations, before it travels on more wires to your home.

What does SA Power Networks do?
We look after the substations, the famous Stobie poles and wires that take the electricity to your home. We do this for more than 900,000 homes and businesses in South Australia.

How most homes use electricity

Hints & tips

Here are some easy ways to save electricity around your home.

Heating and cooling

Nearly half the energy used in the home is for keeping cool or warm. Here are some ways to save:

24 to 27°C cooling
18 to 21°C heating

Close doors

Allow winter sun to heat

Close curtains in summer

Water heating

Heating water is the second biggest energy use in the home at 23%. Save with some simple steps.

Shorter showers

Cold wash

Hang to dry

Full dishwasher

Fridges and freezers

Your fridge uses a lot of energy. Check the temperature settings and save with these steps.

Freezer -15 to -18°C
Fridge 3 to 5°C

Make sure door seal is tight

Avoid having a second fridge

Hints & tips

Here are some easy ways to save electricity around your home.

Lighting

Some types of lights use more energy than others. LED lights use less energy and last longer. Replace old globes with LEDs to save money on energy and spend less time replacing them.

Turn lights off when leaving a room

Use energy efficient globes

Cooking

You can even save energy with these simple steps.

Thaw out frozen food before cooking

Keep lids on pots

Use a microwave instead of an oven

Stand-by power

Turning things off at a power point saves more power than using the switch or remote control.

Turn off at power point

Solar power

Making your own electricity can help you save on energy bills.

Energy Explorer

Pick the same two cards to win!

1,000w

2,000w

3,000w

4,000w

1,000w

2,000w

3,000w

4,000w

In the spirit of keeping the game simple the energy ratings used are indicative.

Energy Explorer

Match household items with their electricity use.

1,000w

2,000w

3,000w

4,000w

In the spirit of keeping the game simple the energy ratings used are indicative.

Which uses less power?

Clothes line

Drying the washing outside on a clothesline doesn't use any electricity.

or

Clothes dryer

A drier uses a lot of electricity. If it's a rainy day just hang the washing on a clothes airer in a warm room.

Which uses less power in winter?

Did you know? The recommended temperature setting to warm a house is 18 - 21 degrees.
To save electricity and money, use a lower temperature setting.

Column oil heater

Column oil heaters cost much more to use.

or

Air conditioner

Reverse-cycle air conditioners cost less to run and can heat up larger areas.

Which one uses less power?

Microwave

Using a microwave is faster and cheaper.

or

Electric oven

The oven uses a lot of electricity. Try to cook more than one thing at a time.

Which one uses less power in summer?

Did you know? The best temperature setting to cool a house is 24 - 27 degrees.
To save electricity and money, use a higher temperature setting.

Air conditioner

This does use more electricity. Try to keep the temperature around 26 degrees.

or

Fan

A fan can keep you cool without using much electricity.

Your next case:

Find power hungry items and turn them off

Tap or click on the items to turn them off and watch the power savings grow.

Living room - summer

Living room - summer

Keeping cool takes up nearly half your electricity use.
Only cool areas you’re using.
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature: 24 - 27 degrees.
Close all doors to keep the cool air in.
Close curtains and shade windows to keep heat out.
Turn off the lights - use daylight instead.
Use energy-efficient light globes, like LEDs.
Turn off TV and computer screens when you’re not using them.
Turn things off at the power point.
Use a pedestal fan or ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner.

Average electricity usage

Your electricity usage

Kitchen

Set fridge temperatures to 3 - 5 degrees.
Set freezers to -15 to -18 degrees.
Don’t open the fridge door unless you need to.
New fridges and freezers are more efficient than older ones.
If you have a second fridge or freezer, only turn it on if you really need it.
Use a microwave instead of an oven. Smaller appliances use less energy.
When cooking, keep lids on pots to trap heat and reduce cooking time.
Defrost frozen food before cooking to reduce cooking time.
Make sure the dishwasher is full and use the shortest setting.

Average electricity usage

Your electricity usage

Your bedroom in winter

Keeping warm in winter takes up nearly half of electricity use.
If your window faces north, east or west, open curtains and blinds to let the sun in.
Close curtains and blinds at night to keep the heat in.
Only heat your room when you’re using it.
Keep the heater temperature between 18 and 21 degrees.
Keep doors closed to keep warm air in.
Every degree higher for heating (and lower for cooling) costs more.
Unplug your battery charger as soon as it is finished charging.

Average electricity usage

Your electricity usage