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  Topic

  Smarter energy

  Saving on electricity and gas bills, switching providers, reducing power consumption, renewable energy, solar, going green, and more.

Saving energy

• Five ways to reduce your household energy use

  Here’s how you can save money – and the environment – by reducing your household energy use and carbon footprint.
• Air conditioner energy usage and running costs

  Which is cheaper to run: a split-system air conditioner or a portable air conditioner? The answer might surprise you.
• How to avoid power-hungry kitchen appliances

  Choose the right appliance to help cut your energy costs.
• Air conditioner energy saving tips

  Save power and money with these expert tips for summer and winter. 
• How do smart meters work and can they save you money?

  See what smart meters can and can't do for you and how you can use them to your advantage.
• How to save energy while working from home

  Implement these simple tips to keep your power bills under control while running your home office.
• Home cooling guide

  From portable and split system air conditioners to ceiling and pedestal fans – we explain the options.
• How to hack your home cooling

  Expert tips to help you beat the heat and save money this summer.
• How to create your own smart home: the basics

  An introduction to the internet of things, and how you can use it to make your life easier.
• The cost of leaving appliances on standby

  How much are you paying each year to leave your appliances in standby mode?
• Should you turn appliances off at the powerpoint?

  We drill down on whether flicking switches really saves energy and dollars.
• Power monitor buying guide

  Find the right meter for your energy-saving needs.
• Smart meters

  See what smart meters can and can't do for you and how you can use them to your advantage.
• Home energy-efficiency ratings

  Can a house's energy efficiency be measured accurately?
• Home energy management systems

  Get a grip on your electricity use with these monitoring tools.
• How to create your sustainable sanctuary

  Design energy efficiency into your home renovation and your pockets will thank you.
• How to buy the best heating system for your home

  Electric, gas or reverse-cycle air conditioning – which is right for you? We explain the options.

Energy-efficient appliances

• Air fryer vs oven: Which cooks cheapest and fastest?

  Should you make space for an air fryer in your kitchen? Our fact-checker compares speed, energy use, and which cooks best.
• Why cleaning your appliance filters actually saves you money

  Dirty filters can reduce efficiency and cause damage – here's why it's worth spending the time to clean them.
• How to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner

  A more efficient air conditioner could save you hundreds on your energy bill.
• How to keep energy costs down on your home entertainment system

  You can save on your power bills by choosing the right device.
• How ceiling fans can slash your winter heating costs

  Running a fan and heater together can cut costs by more than half, our test reveals.
• What size air conditioner do you need?

  Choosing the right size can reduce your energy use and save you money.
• How do washing machine star ratings work?

  Why ratings for energy and water use rarely tell the whole story
• How to choose the best washing machine for big families

  What you need to consider when choosing a washing machine for a large family.
• The impact of energy-efficient appliances

  Your choice of appliance – and how you use it – can cut your energy use and bills.
• How to choose an energy-efficient fridge

  How much does your fridge cost you each year?
• How to store food and drink in your fridge

  Keep food fresher longer and cut down on your energy bills with these tips.
• How to choose an efficient dishwasher

  We explain how to get the most efficient performance out of this handy kitchen appliance.
• Front loading washers – what are they and should you buy one?

  We outline the pros and cons to help you figure out which type of washing machine makes sense for your household.
• Should you use eco mode?

  It may save water and electricity, but will it give good results?

Solar power

• Get paid to upgrade: Your guide to solar and appliance rebates

  Find out about the thousands of dollars available to help with solar installation and appliance upgrades for your household.
• Four steps to get started with solar

  Our expert guide answers all your solar questions. 
• How to find quality solar panels and installation

  Our guide to picking the right solar quote and knowing your rights in this sometimes shady market.
• How to buy the best solar battery storage

  What you need to know about adding battery storage, such as the Tesla Powerwall, to your home's solar panel system.
• Sizing your solar panel system

  Figure out the right size of solar PV system to suit your home.
• 17 solar storage batteries put to the test

  An independent trial compared solar storage batteries in lab conditions, and not all survived.
• How to maintain your solar panel system

  What does solar panel maintenance involve and how often should it be done? 
• Solar panel reviews

  We test commonly available solar panels to find out which ones perform best in real-world conditions.
• Solar roof tiles – solar panel alternatives

  If your roof isn't suitable for solar panels, consider (more expensive) solar roof tiles.
• Solar system rebates: How much money can you really save?

  The current government scheme can be confusing. We explain how it works and what you can get back.
• Are solar feed-in tariffs worth it?

  People are getting paid less for the solar power they sell to the grid, so it could be best to use it yourself.
• Living with the Tesla Powerwall for a year

  After four years of use, has the Tesla Powerwall lived up to its promise? 
• How to buy the best solar inverter

  Getting the right type of inverter for your home's solar system.
• Survey results: Are you happy with your solar panels?

  More than 1000 CHOICE members reveal the pros and cons of owning a solar PV system in Australia.
• How to buy the best solar panels for your home

  What you need to know before you install.
• How to buy the best solar hot water system

  Cheap to run but not so cheap to buy – which solar hot water system is for you?

Solar estimator

• Get started with solar

  We’ve made getting started with solar easy.

  Estimate your solar and find a trusted installer:

  1. Find out if solar is worth it for you with CHOICE’s solar estimator.

  2. Get 3 quotes from trusted installers with SolarQuotes.

  Get a quick estimate

Switching providers

• How hard is it to switch electricity companies?

  It's easier than you might think – and you don't even have to pick up the phone to do it.
• Embedded networks trapping customers with expensive electricity

  Half a million Australians are locked into an embedded network for their power, with reduced consumer protections.
• Experts sound alarm on complex household energy tariffs

  Households are being advised to avoid electricity plans with 'demand pricing', traditionally reserved for large businesses.
• Why it's worth considering a smaller energy retailer

  Bigger doesn't always equal better, but do good things come in small packages?
• Powershop shock and the struggle to find green energy retailers

  How to establish the environmental credentials of your energy provider.
• 4 energy switching myths busted

  You can save a lot of money simply by switching energy provider. We address some concerns you might have.
• How to switch to the best electricity provider

  Get a better deal and keep more money in your pocket.
• The problem with some energy bill comparison sites

  Do websites like iSelect, Compare the Market and Canstar really help you find a better deal on power?
• Best electricity providers: Diamond Energy and Amber Electric

  The best retailers for call response, complaints and environmental sustainability.

Lighting

• LED light bulbs – what we found

  We share our findings from several years of testing LED light bulbs.
• How much do smart lights cost to run?

  We compare annual running costs for Philips Hue, LIFX, Sengled, TP-Link and Yeelight.
• How to buy the best light bulbs

  LED, CFL and halogen lights: what's the difference and which is best?

Getting around

• Should you buy an electric bike?

  If you're thinking of purchasing one of these electrifying rides, here's what you need to know.

  electric bike pros and cons
• Electric vehicle charging

  We look at the options in Australia for charging electric vehicles at home and at public charging stations.
• Is the Aldi folding electric bike worth it?

  Bargain or binnable? We take this sub-$1000 ebike for a test ride to find out.
• Electric vehicle reviews

  We've sifted through crowdsourced data about range, battery performance, efficiency and more to give you an insight into electric cars from major brands like Tesla, Polestar and Volvo.
• How to buy the best bike for your needs

  We show you what to look for before taking off on two wheels.
• Road-testing the Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin pure electric vehicle

  Why CHOICE has invested in an electric car, and what it's like to drive and charge.
• How to buy the best electric bike

  We look at how e-bikes work, how much they cost, how far they'll take you – and how to go about finding one that's right for you.
• How to buy the best eco-friendly car

  Looking for a clean, 'green' machine? We explain electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient technology.
• Electric bike reviews

  Compare e-bikes from Smartmotion, Focus, Merida and more to find out which ones won't let you down when you're out on the road.