It is now more expensive to produce and use power- and most Australian households are feeling the pinch. So, as the summer approaches, it is crucial to re-evaluate your utility bills and find ways to keep them low.
Consider the daily household habits that drive up your energy consumption, thus increasing your bill. Within mere hours, many, if not all, of us interact with numerous energy-using touchpoints. But the usage all adds up, creating an untenable situation that stresses your household budget.
So, here are a few easy tips to conserve energy and reduce your bill.
- Change your lighting.
Traditional light bulbs consume a lot of electricity but don’t last. So, switch to energy-efficient LED variations that save up to 80% on lighting costs. They utilise less power and function between 3 -25 times longer – a win-win solution.
- Install skylights.
Installing skylights increases the amount of natural light getting into your home. Therefore, you not only get to use free energy during the day, but you also lower your reliance on artificial light.
- Be smart about cooling.
Cooling the home during summercan be very power-hungry.Turning on the air conditioner to cool the sweltering temperatures comes at great expense. In fact, about 22% of household energy use comes from heating and cooling, so you must use it wisely. To do so, keep room temperatures between 18 and 21 degrees (each degree higher on the air conditioner will add up to 10% to running costs).
- Choose appliances wisely.
The Energy Star rating system is valuable for easier and more effective household appliance shopping. Fundamentally, the more stars an appliance has, the more efficient it is, compared to other similar-sized models. So, opt for a well-rated washing machine, fridge, oven and dryer for 9% to 25% savings on running costs.
- Adjust your behaviour.
Adjusting your norms is a no-hassle way to kickstart energy efficiency. So, for example, remember to turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. Conversely, you can use a lamp instead of the overhead lights. In addition, you must endeavour to observe less frequent appliance use.
- Consider your water system and usage.
You may rely extensively on electricity for various reasons, particularly when pumping hot water into the homeforbathing, showering, washing dishes, and more. But this reliance alone makes up about 37% of your energy usage. Therefore, it may be best to consider minimisingyour hot water use, especially when it is unnecessary. Instead, take shorter showers and turn off the tap when you don’t need it.
- Upgrade to energy-efficient windows, doors and roofing.
Install specially designed windows and doors to reduce cool air escape from the home. These products promise to keep in cool air and prevent warm air from penetrating your house. Additionally, remember that windows alone can account for 25% of the cooling bill due to the inflow of warm air. So, start by sealing any gaps and leaks. Moreover, it is best to ensure your ceiling insulation is up to standard to keep you cooler in summer.
- Add solar panels.
Finally, consider installing solar panels. They’re an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly option that offers significant costsavings. Furthermore, solar panels are smart investments that upgrade your homeand generate a valuable annual return on investment. With these benefits, there is every reason to rely on the sun for your daily household energy needs.
You can implement any or all of the above suggestions as you progress toward lowering energy consumption this summer. In doing so, you can takecontrol of your energy bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
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