Skip to main content Skip to log on Skip to search Accessibility at CommBank

Brighter / Home and lifestyle / Ways you can save while making your home more efficient

Ways you can save while making your home more efficient

Learn ways you can create an energy efficient home while saving money by using these expert tips and learning from the success story of the Turners.

  • Financial fitness isn’t just about budgeting – it extends to how you run your home.
  • The Turner family tested everyday efficiency hacks, from unplugging chargers to trying out solar power.
  • Their journey showed that small, consistent changes can add up to real savings and help build long-term financial stability.

From keeping your air con unit cool to teaching kids about power use, the Turner family discovered that improving your home’s efficiency doesn’t just cut bills, it boosts confidence, too.

A family looking to save more at home

Jody and Adam Turner live in the NSW Hunter Valley with their three kids, running a busy farming business while managing the usual chaos of a family household. Sustainability was already central to their business – but their home? Not so much. From lights left on in every room to washing machines running on overdrive, their bills told the story.

“We’d love to get solar and eventually be off-grid,” Adam explained. “But right now, we just need to get the kids to switch off a light once in a while.” Like so many families, the Turners were overwhelmed by how much it cost just to keep the house running. They wanted to see whether a few efficiency tweaks could take the pressure off.

The challenge: smarter energy use

Enter Barry Du Bois, builder, TV favourite and home-efficiency guru. His mission was simple: help the Turners identify small, low-cost changes that would immediately cut down energy bills. It wasn’t about expensive renovations but making their home work smarter with what they already had. The family’s “financial fitness exercise” came in two parts:

  • Everyday fixes, including things like insulating their converted garage, shading the outdoor air conditioner and unplugging chargers not in use.
  • A solar challenge. Barry left them with a portable solar kit to power their personal devices one day a week so the kids could see firsthand how much energy the sun provides.

What was easy, what was hard

Some shifts were simple: turning off lights when leaving a room, filling the freezer properly so it ran more efficiently and charging devices on the solar kit all quickly became second nature. The kids even got competitive about who could save the most. 

The harder part: breaking old habits. “The kids have no concept of the cost of power,” Jody admitted. “If Nate’s home alone, the place looks like a Christmas tree.” But even small awareness shifts started to stick.

Barry left the family with a portable solar kit to power their personal devices one day a week.

The results and the lessons

By the end of their trial, the Turners noticed the difference. They were more mindful, their bills were lighter and the dream of eventually going fully off-grid felt less out of reach. 

“Everyone in the house has become more mindful of the power that we’re using,” Adam said. 

To learn more about the Turner family's story, stream The Brighter Side on 10.

Related articles


Published: 27 April 2026

Tags

Things you should know

This article provides general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as personal financial product advice. The views expressed by contributors are their own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of CBA. As the information has been provided without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider what is appropriate for your circumstances, and where appropriate, consider the relevant Target Market Determination, Product Disclosure Statement and Terms and Conditions available on our website. You should also consider whether seeking independent professional legal, tax and financial advice is necessary. Every effort has been taken to ensure the information was correct as at the time of publishing but it may be subject to change. No part of the editorial contents may be reproduced or copied in any form without the prior permission and acknowledgement of CBA.