How To Save Electricity In Your Home

Posted on 03 January 2017

With electricity bills constantly on the rise, owning and living in your home isn’t getting any cheaper. But with a few simple steps, you can keep costs down by reducing your energy consumption and in turn, your energy bills.

Reducing the amount of electricity and gas you use in your home is not only good for keeping cash in your pocket, but its also great for the environment!

It might be as simple as switching the TV off at the wall rather than leaving it on standby or making sure all your lights are turned off before you leave for work in the morning. A number of small things done consistently can lead to big power savings in the long run.

Below are our top tips for saving energy in your home.

Saving Energy in Living areas

• In summer, keep the cool air inside and the hot air outside by closing windows, doors, curtains and blinds.
• Use fans rather than evaporative or refrigerated air conditioners and set your air conditioner to between 23°C and 26°C, thats plenty cold enough when its 37 outside.
• In winter reduce cool breezes by closing windows, doors and curtains. Use weather strips to close any gaps under doors or door strips to get rid of gaps around doors.
• Install energy saving light bulbs and turn lights off when not in use.
• Switch off all your appliances at the wall.
• Buy appliances with high energy ratings.

Saving Electricity in Your Kitchen

• Ensure enough space for air to circulate around your fridge and that door seals are intact.
• Use an electric frying pan or microwave rather than your oven.
• Cover pots and pans to reduce cooking time.
• Only put your dishwasher on when its full.

Saving Energy in Your Bathroom and Laundry

• Use cold water where possible.
• Avoid using your clothes dryerhang clothes outside or on a clothes rack inside instead.
• Set your hot water thermostat to between 60°C and 65°C.
• Only use your washing machine when you have a full load.
• Select a water saving shower head with a rate of less than 10L/minute.

How to Save Electricity with your Pool

• When selecting your pool, consider reducing its size and volume.
• Use a cover to retain heat and install an energy efficient filtration pump.
• Use solar heating for the water.
• Install a minimal amount of lighting, if any.

General Energy Saving Tips

When building or renovating your home try to incorporate energy efficient design principles into your improvements.

• Insulate your ceilings and walls
• Install roller shutters or awnings on northern facing windows
• Install ceiling fans.
• Install solar panels and a solar hot water system.
• If you have a gas connection, use a gas oven or cooktop.
• Use heat resistant paints & roofing
• Think of the orientation of your home and keep large windows to the shaded side of the house
• Think robust native plants when planning your garden to reduce water usage and make use of shade to keep yourself and your house cool in summer and open areas to keep warmer in winter.

Conclusion

There are many ways to keep your energy bills down by reducing your electricity consumption. And with Grants and rebates still available for energy saving equipment, these should be considered carefully when planning any energy efficiency gains for your new home or renovation project.

If youd like to start saving money and reducing your footprint on the planet, contact Solar Power Direct today and ask us how we can help you save with a new solar system for your home.