Aussie builder reveals the top five ways to cut your power bill before prices surge again
A builder has revealed his top five tips for lowering household power bills ahead of the market electricity price increasing by up to 9.7 per cent from July 1.
According to tradies, Aussies aren't just bracing for the spike - they're taking action - with a recent surge in energy-saving home improvement jobs.
Glass and glazing installations have gone up 68 per cent in 2025, and insulation jobs are up 34 per cent, hipages data reveals.
Double glazing
Fouad Reaiche, the managing director at ETH Construction Group, told Daily Mail Australia that people would be surprised by the effectiveness of glazing.
'Thermal blocking blinds and double glazing should be added if you have that opportunity,' he said.
'If you're going to spend the money, get double or even triple glazing. It's definitely something that you want to be doing.
'It makes all the difference in the world and people don't actually realise it until they've done it to their house.'
Double glazing creates a layer of insulation, slowing down heat transfer between the inside and outside of a home.
It means less heat is lost in winter and less heat enters a building in summer, leading to lower energy bills.
'It makes a big change for both summer and winter. It keeps the cold out in winter and the heat in,' Mr Reaiche said.
'It deflects heat on the outside in summer, so it works all year round.
'A lot of people who just did standard glazing were pushed out of the market.'
Double-glazed window costs in Australia typically range from $300 to $1,500 per square metre.
According to Bradnam's Windows and Doors, Aussies could save up to 20 per cent more on their energy bills if they were to utilise double-glazed over single-glazed products.
Draft blockers
Mr Reaiche said another simple way to reduce a power bill is to ensure cool or warm air isn't seeping into a house.
'One thing that we see people buying a lot is draft blockers for all their entry doors to stop drafts coming through,' he said.
'It's a big energy saver.'
Newer air conditioners
Air conditioning consumes 15 per cent of Australia's total generated power, and more than half the energy used in homes is the result of heating and cooling devices.
That's why many Aussies are also looking to upgrade their air conditioning units.
'Putting energy efficient heating and cooling in is another thing to consider. People are ditching their old A/C units and upgrading to ones that are more energy-efficient,' Mr Reaiche said.
Installing the correct insulation
Home insulation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy consumption.
Roof and ceiling insulation can save up to 45 per cent on energy consumption for heating and cooling, according to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
'Insulation is a big one as well,' Mr Reaiche said.
'If you're building a new home, you need to put in the right insulation based on the climate that you're in.'
Mr Reaiche's final piece of advice was to simply shop around and not become complacent by showing loyalty to a power company.
'Switching energy providers is one of the most efficient ways to reduce your energy bill by getting a better deal,' he said.
'People don't think to find a new provider. They're just happy to sign up and stay with them.'
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