With that goal in mind, the New Lambton Heights family of four signed up to the Hunter's Power Saver Challenge.

The all-electric home presently has a zero out of five star energy efficiency rating, which Mr White is desperate to improve.

"It doesn't sound good," he said.

"We need to work hard at reducing our energy costs."

The Whites have two computers, three televisions, a second fridge, a pool pump and numerous appliances on power standby.

Mr White said the first step in improving their energy efficiency was understanding where and when they used the most electricity.

"The use of power and where it goes in some cases is hard to define," he said.

That task will be made easier when a Cent-a-meter energy monitor is installed in the family home next week.

The meter will tell the Whites how much power individual appliances use and cost.

Newcastle City Council's City Energy and Resource Management Unit team member Karen Toirkens said she was confident the Whites could improve their efficiency.

"There will be a lot of behavioural things that they can do like reducing shower times and switching things off," she said.

[PI9016] Follow the progress of the Power Saver Challenge households in The Herald.