Having an energy-efficient home means helping the environment and saving money on your electric bills at the same time. With the right planning and a few lifestyle tweaks, you can follow these simple energy saving tips, and you can start doing them today!
Energy Saving Tips: Save On Cost and Protect The Environment
Heating/Cooling
In an average Australian household, heating and cooling can account for 40% of the total energy usage. About half of the utility bills goes to making sure the house is kept at the right temperature.
- Set the thermostat. Every 1 degree Celcius higher for heating and lower for cooling, adds up to 10% to the running cost of the appliance. The most comfortable temperatures are 18-20 degrees celsius for heating and 24-27 degrees celsius for cooling.
- Use fans. Fans help increase air distribution, which means you can save electricity and money by raising your air conditioner temperature by four degrees.
- Install window treatments. Prevent the heat from coming in with blackout curtains, blinds, shadings and window films, especially during Summer.
- Open windows for proper airflow. If it isn’t too humid outside, open your windows to bring in the fresh and cool breeze. For cross-ventilation, open windows that are opposite each other.
- Take advantage of free heating. During winter, open your windows to bring in the natural heat from the sunshine.
Cooking
- Use the right cooking appliances. Opt for smaller cooking appliances where possible because they use less energy. For example, if you’re only making a small amount of food, use a toaster oven instead of a full oven
- Cook outside. During warmer months like Spring, use the outdoor grill instead of indoor electric grill, stoves or ovens. The season is also perfect for having a barbecue.
- Use lids. Covering saucepans and pots with lids helps hasten the heating.
Doing the Laundry
- Wait until there’s a full load. Before doing your laundry, make sure you have a full load; this not only saves you energy but water and soap as well.
- Use a clothesline. Using the dryer consumes energy. Take advantage of hot, sunny weather and use a clothesline to air dry clothes.
Washing the Dishes
- Use cold water. If the type of dishes doesn’t require the use of hot water, opt to use cold water as heating water will use up energy.
- Wait until there’s a full load. Just like using the washing machine, it’s best to do the dishes when you have a fully loaded dishwasher. If you only have a few plates or glasses, do a manual hand-wash in the sink.
Lighting
- Turn off the lights. When lights are not in use, make it a habit to switch them off.
- Use natural light. Open your curtains, blinds or window shades to let the sunshine in. The natural glow from the sun also gives a relaxing feel to the home. Strike a balance between having the warm light in and keeping the house at a comfortable temperature.
- Install a smart lighting system. Motion sensors and other automation light features can help optimise light usage. With a Smart lighting system, the right amount of brightness is given out and lights only switch on if necessary.
- Use LED bulbs. Unlike the fluorescent lights, LED bulbs don’t need warm up time. Other benefits of using LEDs are lesser wattage than incandescent lamps, brighter light output and is more efficient and long-lasting.
Fridges/Freezers
- Replace door seals. If the fridge door seals aren’t in good condition, the cold air inside it will come out. The fridge then won’t reach the ideal temperature to preserve the content inside.
- Keep your fridge away from direct sun. Store it in a cool location, so that air can circulate around all sides.
Energy Saving Tips: Keep Your Appliances In Tip-Top Shape
One of the most fundamental energy saving tips is to have your appliances serviced regularly. Check for physical damages or functionality issues as they may caushttps://detlevs.com.au/contact/e energy consumption to spike up.
Engage the services of professional electricians to ensure that your appliances are using the right electricity wattage and performing at optimal levels. If you need any help with service checks and maintenance, feel free to GET IN TOUCH.