Why it's great to be 'energy empowered'
Why it’s great to be ‘energy empowered’? - some thoughts from your local team at Innovate Energy
At a time when Australian energy bills continue to climb and everyone seems a little confused around their energy choices, the concept of being ‘energy empowered’ has never been more important.
But what does it actually mean? When we started thinking about why ‘energy empowerment’ matters so much for our customers, our owner Mat Foley gave some insights into the easy opportunities for both residential and commercial customers to take greater control of the way they use energy and reduce their energy bills in the process.
What is ‘energy empowerment’?
Put simply, being energy enpowered means having control over your own energy choices. As Mat puts it, it's about "enabling you to live the way that you want to live and at the level of comfort you want to live at."
It's fundamentally about freedom, the freedom to make informed decisions about your energy use without being at the mercy of wildly fluctuating bills or confusing market conditions. Essentially, energy empowerment gives you greater flexibility, knowledge and the confidence to use energy smarter throughout your home or business, and having the tools to make decisions that match up with your lifestyle and budget.
Why do people get confused about energy?
Australia’s energy landscape is complicated! Even the term ‘energy’ includes everything from bills and retailers to grid providers (that is, all the poles and wires), different rates, and an ever-growing number of ways to actually generate energy, including solar, nuclear, and wind turbines.
For the average Aussie, this can be all pretty overwhelming. "Confusion creates acceptability for some people when it comes to energy pricing,” Mat explains. “By that I mean it’s often too hard to decide so we simply do nothing—whereas when things are easier to understand, it gives us much clearer choices because we’re more energy empowered.”
This confusion Mat is referring to often benefits energy retailers, rather than customers, keeping home and business owners locked into far-from-ideal arrangements simply because they don't understand the alternatives. The problem is compounded by the fact that most of us only think about energy when our quarterly bills arrive, without understanding the underlying factors that are driving the costs. In other words, we’re missing the ‘back end’—the knowledge of how our energy is actually being used and why we’re spending what we’re spending.
How much do Aussies know about energy?
Right across Australia, energy knowledge is on the rise, largely due to increasing energy bills that are forcing us all to pay more attention as we try to save money. Here at Innovate Energy, we’ve noticed more and more customers are keen to learn about things like LED lighting, inverter air conditioners and other energy efficiency ideas. But there's still a significant gap in what people could know and be doing. Mat believes that while boosting energy knowledge is always very handy, the real issue is that many people struggle to make the most of smarter energy choices.
“Adding solar to your house is a good thing,” he says. “But if you don't know how to make the most of that solar, with the right capacity storage battery for example, then it may not be working as hard as it could for you." While most Australians have good ‘energy basics’, there's still much more to learn, especially when it comes to maximising the benefits of energy-efficient technologies.
The benefits of being ‘energy empowered’
When you become truly energy empowered, the benefits extend far beyond just lower bills. At Innovate Energy, we have identified several key advantages:
Financial freedom
Energy empowerment can bring you significant cost savings and even "financial gain all from your own energy." You'll no longer be subject to the whims of energy markets or retailers, but have true control over your energy costs.
Lifestyle flexibility
Energy empowerment can give you the choice of how you want to live. Whether you prioritise comfort, sustainability or cost savings, you can have the knowledge and tools to match your energy use with the things that matter most to you.
Energy independence
True energy empowerment can make you more self-sustainable and energy independent. You're not completely reliant on or at the mercy of the big energy companies and you have backup options when needed.
Environmental benefits
If sustainability is important to you, energy empowerment can help you find ‘greener' choices, allowing you to make decisions that better match with your environmental priorities while still meeting your day-to-day energy needs.
Informed decision making
Being more knowledgeable about energy makes it easier to purchase the right products, or ask for the right service. You can see the long-term benefits of investing in the best energy choices for you, rather than just focusing on upfront costs. This is where a local energy specialist like Innovate Energy can help guide you.
Not all electricians are the same
One important aspect of energy empowerment is understanding that not all energy professionals or the advice they give are created equally. Some electricians stick to what they know because that's what they've always done, whereas at Innovate Energy we’re always trying to improve and offer more value to our customers. When choosing an energy professional, it’s also a great idea to look for someone who focuses on the specific area you need help with, and stays on top of innovative solutions.
From solar and batteries to air conditioning and hot water, we can help with all your energy services at home.
The path to energy empowerment
So, how do you become energy empowered? The journey starts with education. Understanding your current energy use, learning about all the available technologies like solar and batteries, and knowing how to optimise these systems are all crucial steps. As Mat says, even once you have energy-efficient technologies in place, “the key is being educated on how to best use those systems.”
For example, it’s not enough to simply install solar panels on your roof or buy an energy efficient air conditioner, you need to understand how to maximise their benefits through the right usage patterns and system integration. Working with knowledgeable professionals can guide you through this process and help you make informed decisions based on your specific energy requirements.
Taking control of your energy future
Energy empowerment isn't just about innovative technology, mind you. It’s also about have the right mindset and thinking about how you can shift from being a passive energy user to playing a more active ‘hands-on’ role in your energy ecosystem. This means understanding your options, making informed choices and taking control. As energy costs continue to rise and technology continues to evolve, being energy empowered becomes increasingly valuable. The knowledge and confidence to make smart energy choices can bring you financial benefits, lifestyle flexibility and real peace of mind.
Remember, the path to energy empowerment starts with a single step: education. Every bit of knowledge moves you closer to true energy independence.
To find out how you can become more energy empowered, give Innovate Energy a call today on 1300 512 325!