Energy Saving Tips For Your Home
Strategies To Reduce Your Electric Bill And Lighting Energy Saving Tips For Your Home
Lighting uses a surprising amount of energy around your home, especially if you still have old fixtures, and leave lights on all the time. Here are some handy energy saving tips for your home lighting to help reduce your electric bill.
- Get rid of any old energy-guzzling light globes still lurking around and replace them with energy-efficient LED lights.
We constantly mention this energy saving tip for good reason… Modern LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and fluoros. They are made from highly energy efficient materials that convert almost all the energy they use into light rather than heat. LEDS also last up to 25 times longer.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
Even though your LEDs use a lot less energy than traditional lighting, you can still save energy by switching them off when you don’t need them. LEDs don’t need to warm up so they don’t have the ‘start up’ energy spike that makes turning some older lighting on and off more expensive than leaving it on. Just turn your LEDs off because when they’re off, they’re not using energy!
- Install dimmer switches in rooms where lights are left on.
Dimmers are a good way to save energy by controlling the amount of light and LEDs are perfectly suited to work with them.
- Make use of natural light whenever possible.
Natural light is 100% free and 100% environmentally friendly so use as much of it as possible. Open curtains and blinds on shaded sides of the house during the day to let it in. Consider installing skylights in spaces where there isn’t much natural light; a well-placed skylight is as efficient as lighting during the day.
- Use task lighting instead of increasing general lighting.
Task lighting specifically directed at a ‘task’ like reading, cooking, working at a desk etc. It is particularly useful in rooms with some ambient light but not enough to work by. So – instead of increasing the overall light level in the room (and using more energy), install an energy-efficient task light where you work.
Installing Efficient Air Conditioning Systems: Heating And Cooling Energy Saving Tips For Your Home
Heating and cooling are another energy-hungry component in your home because we all like to be comfortable. However, there are ways to save a ton of energy AND still stay comfortable!
- Install an efficient air conditioning system.
We highly recommend taking advantage of the NSW Energy Rebate to update your old, less efficient air conditioner to a new, more energy efficient one. With our current air-conditioning upgrade deal, we can install a new, far more energy efficient system for an unbeatable $500 + GST after rebates!
- Set your thermostat to recommended summer/winter temperatures and avoid the temptation to ‘fiddle’ with them!
Every degree counts when it comes to energy consumption so don’t overheat, or overcool, your home. The standard advice, based on health guidelines, is to maintain a consistent 23-25oC in summer and 18-20oC in winter. These ranges strike a good balance between comfort and energy consumption. If you find this a bit cold in winter, add another layer of clothing instead of turning up the heater.
- Use a programmable thermostat to adjust temperature when you’re not home or sleeping.
Programmable thermostats are a great way to save energy on heating and cooling because you can automatically turn everything right down, or off, when you don’t need it.
- Make strategic use of windows, curtains, and blinds.
In summer close windows, curtains, and blinds on sun-facing sides of the house during the day to keep out heat, and open them at night to let in cool air. Reverse the process in winter – open them on warm sunny days to let heat in, and close them again as soon as the temperature starts dropping outside.
- Insulate your home properly.
Good, effective insulation helps prevent heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Your roof likely already has insulation but consider installing it your walls too for added thermal protection. And double-glaze your windows as well.
- Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings to prevent draughts.
A draughty house is a cold, or hot, house. Indeed, a surprising amount of heat and/or cold air is lost through gaps around windows and doors. Seal around your windows, and use weather strips and door sweeps on external doors.
- Use fans to help circulate air throughout your home.
Although we are big fans of air-conditioners, we also know that fans use much less energy! In fact, a strategically placed fan or two can greatly improve the efficiency of your air-conditioner by distributing cool/warm air around your home.
Energy Saving Tips For Your Home Appliances
Some of the biggest energy users in your home are appliances like fridges, freezers, water heaters, and air conditioners. But – by swapping older models for high energy star rated ones, you can considerably save on energy costs.
- Choose and use energy-efficient appliances.
Although we don’t necessarily recommend rushing out and replacing ALL your old appliances – unless you’re doing it via the NSW ESS – we do suggest only buying high energy star rated ones when you do need a new appliance.
- Replace your hot water system for better efficiency.
Install a solar or heat pump hot water system. Both use far less energy than electric hot water systems, and will save you a lot of money on your power bill.
- Switch appliances off at the wall when you’re not using them.
Electrical appliances continue to use power even when not switched on. It may not be much per appliance (which is why it’s tempting to leave them switched on at the wall) but if you have a number of them, this ‘phantom’ or stand-by power use adds up.
- Unplug chargers and electronics when they’re not in use.
The above point applies equally to chargers and electronic devices when you’re not using them.
- Wash clothes in cold water.
Modern laundry detergents are designed to work in cold water for a good reason – using cold water avoids the cost of heating water.
- Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher or washing machine.
Running a half full washing machine and dishwasher wastes water and energy so wait until they’re full.
- Dry clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer.
Jokes about wind and solar-powered clothes dryers aside, this advice is still valid, especially in a country like Australia. Clothes dryers do use a LOT of energy so if you can avoid using one whenever possible, you’ll save a ton of energy.
Other Energy Saving Tips For Your Home
- Use natural ventilation to help cool your home instead of relying solely on air conditioning.
- Keep unused rooms closed off to reduce the area that needs to be cooled, or heated.
- Use verandas, awnings, and overhangs to shade windows and reduce heat build up.
- Plan your garden so it can help reduce your household energy costs.
Strategically plant trees and shrubs (preferably fire-resistant and water wise ones) around your home where they’ll provide shade during summer and help cool the air around the house. Consider also using deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter and allow the winter sun to warm the house.
- Install a solar system
Generating your own electricity via solar panels is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy costs, especially if you get a modern system with batteries. You can save even more by using power hungry appliances (dishwasher, dryer, washing machine) during the day when the panels are generating at peak production.
- Take shorter showers and install a water-efficient showerhead.
Shorter showers use less water and less energy, whilst a water-wise showerhead can reduce your water use by up to 50%.
- Fix water leaks.
Water is precious so don’t let it go to waste via leaking toilets and taps.
- Get a regular energy audit.
Energy audits are a good way to identify areas within your home where you can save energy.
We hope these energy saving tips for your home are useful, and will help you:
- Reduce your energy consumption,
- Save money on your energy bills; and
- Help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint
Contact us for more information about some of our home energy-saving upgrades and rebates.
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