Energy Bills – what’s costing you the most?
We all know our electricity bills are rising, but sometimes we are unware of all the things we can do to help save our money, energy… as well as the planet!
Here are a list of easy to implement tips to follow:
Lighting
Although most new homes are now installing LED lights in favour of instead of incandescent or 12V halogen globes, a majority of homes are still using these hungry little energy eaters. While incandescent and 12V halogen globes are cheaper to buy in the first instance, they don’t have the longevity of use that LEDs or fluorescent lamps have.
Using LED lights in your home instead could reduce your lighting energy consumption by up to 80%.
Heating & Cooling
The cost of heating and cooling your home is on average 40% of your energy usage. The area needed to be heated or cooled is the largest factor in this cost so closing the doors to unused rooms is the simplest and most effective way to reduce your energy bill.
Some other tips include:-
Setting your thermostat to a comfortable medium in both winter and summer will ensure efficient heating. Each degree higher in winter or lower in summer may add up to 10% to your energy bill.
Keep curtains and outside window shades closed to reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a consistent temperature inside.
Rather than heat your bedroom, add another blanket to your bed or use an electric blanket, wheat bag or hot water bottle.
Maintain your cooling and heating systems, clean your air conditioner or cooler so it doesn’t use as much energy to run. Turn off your cooling or heating overnight and when you’re not home.
Good insulation in your ceilings and walls greatly reduce heat loss in winter and heat intake in summer. And to prevent heat being drawn through your glass windows, make sure they are covered with curtains or blinds, or if you live in an area of climate extremes, double glazing may be an option for you.
Appliances
When shopping for new appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, dryers etc., look for the ones with the higher energy efficiency rating (the most stars), they will help you to save long term on your energy bills.
Where possible with your appliances, turning them off at the wall when not in use will save you a little more money than leaving them on stand-by mode.
Specifically:-
LED and LCD Televisions are generally more efficient than plasmas.
Keep the coils on the back of the refrigerator free of dust, as the dust can work as an insulator and make the fridge work harder
Positioning your fridge in a cool, well-ventilated space with a surrounding gap of about 5cm will help to ensure it runs efficiently.
Front loading washing machines use up to 60% less energy than top loaders, and they also use less water.
Use your clothesline and the sun to dry your clothes where possible instead of the dryer.
Check your energy bill for your peak and off-peak times, using your appliances in off-peak times as much as possible will also reduce you energy bill.
More tips and guides to energy use and savings can be found on CSIRO’s website:-http://www.energyaustralia.com.au/about-us/media-centre/TV-media-campaigns/CSIRO-top-tips-for-saving-energy-at-home
