Hacks to keep energy costs down over summer

Hacks to keep energy costs down over summer

If you’re dreading your summer energy bill arriving in the mailbox, you’re not alone. Recent research by energy experts, iSelect suggests that 71% of Australians are concerned about their summer energy bills with 87% saying that they’ll be taking some sort of action to help reduce costs.

Energy bills have almost become a permanent burden on the budget but the good news is that there are simple hacks you can apply to keep your energy costs down and make sure you’re getting the best value energy deal.

Summer energy consumption checklist:

• A healthy temperature: Setting air-conditioning to 26 degrees is comfortable while keeping costs down2

• Consider the alternatives: Try to use fans instead of the air-conditioner for a more cost effective option

• Keep the sun out: Close windows, doors, curtains and blinds in the morning and keep them shut until a cool change arrives

• Opt for the clothes line: Take advantage of the warmer weather and use a clothes line instead of the dryer

While cutting back around the home can help reduce your energy usage, for many households it may just be a ‘Band-Aid’ solution. Unfortunately how much you pay isn’t determined purely by how much you use – along with usage, your energy bill is also made up of supply charges and service fees.  It’s important to speak to an energy expert to make sure you are on a plan to suit your needs.

Many Australians have adopted a set and forget mindset and have not reviewed their energy plan in years. This means they’re probably paying more than they need to for their energy and missing out lower rates which should ease the pressure on the household budget.

iSelect’s top 5 hacks to finding a better value energy deal:

1. Don’t set and forget – Retailers are now required to notify you when your rate changes or your discount expires. This should prompt you to compare other plans in the market to ensure you’re getting the best value deal.
2. Look for flexible payment options – Pay your bills weekly, fortnightly or monthly, or sign up for bill smoothing, which will divide your annual usage into even monthly instalments, to avoid bill shock
3. Don’t be distracted by discounts – Many retailers advertise heavily discounted rates (up to 30% off) but are often conditional. Opting for a retailer that offers a lower ongoing rate without discounts can be cheaper in the long-run, especially if you often pay your bills late.
4. Look out for special offers – Some retailers will offer you a better deal if you pay on time, manage your bills online or pay by direct debit. Keep an eye out for these special introductory offers but beware they generally expire after a year or two.
5. Shop around – Use increased energy competition to your advantage by comparing current offers. Call an energy comparison service like iSelect3 and make sure you have a copy of your latest bill handy.

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Improving your health through stretching

 Improving your health through stretching

The health benefits of stretching go well beyond improving flexibility and looser, more limber, and longer muscles.

Being more flexible gives you more stamina, allows for increased physical output and performance and because you use less energy, you’re saving it for other more important tasks.  Regular stretching increases your overall energy levels and makes you more alert by increasing the circulation of blood and amount of oxygen, minerals, and proteins flowing to your muscles and increasing production of beneficial neurochemicals.  Muscles can work harder and longer as muscle fatigue is reduced so you move faster and lift more.

Stretching reduces the risk of injury as tight muscles have trouble achieving their full range of motion which can cause you to pull or tear a muscle.  Increased blood flow also decreases recovery time after a workout because more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the muscles.

Increased circulation also helps your organs function better and more efficiently which means lower blood pressure and resting heart rate and reduced levels of bad cholesterol in your veins and arteries.  Studies have shown that a 40 minute stretch lowers blood sugar levels by 26%.  The Journal of Medical Science recently reported that stretching may be the “new exercise paradigm for cardiovascular medicine” describing it is a novel and alternative low intensity, therapeutic intervention capable of improving several parameters of vascular function.

Stretching also makes you feel happier by increasing the brain’s production of endorphins and neurochemicals such as serotonin, helping with depression and anxiety. Increased physical performance also makes you feel happier and more confident which tends to make you eat better and look after yourself more.

Particularly important as we age, and for conditions like Parkinson’s and MS, stretching is great for your balance by improving fine muscle coordination and increasing the reaction time of your proprioceptors that cause your balance to shift weight.

Stretching has advantages for specific sports people. For golfers for example, a compact powerful swing is dependent on the relationship of shoulder and hip rotation and we have a number of very excited clients who find it greatly improves their game.  Stiff shoulders, tight hips and hamstrings impact your ability to perfect your swing.  For cyclists, stretching helps improve range of motion to ride efficiently and generate more power.   And there are obvious benefits for runners, walkers and a whole range of other forms of physical exercise.

And appealing to our sense of vanity, tight muscles can cause your back to hunch and limit mobility, which affects your walk.  Stretching improves your posture by keeping your whole body in its natural position and your spine in proper alignment.

Stretch Studios clients book by the Stretch S app, phone or drop by for a 20 minute, 30, 40, 50 or 60 minute assisted stretch, a form of static stretching in which a ‘flexologist’ (professional assisted stretcher) exerts gentle force upon the limb to move it into a new position, holding for a specific amount of time to lengthen and stretch the muscle fibre and tissue.  Stretch studios is open Monday to Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 10am-3pm

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