If you are able to save energy usage around your home, you are saving money, it’s definitely well worth your hip pocket to use your appliances and energy more wisely if you want to save money. It’s an unfortunate fact – energy bills keep rising, but there are a lot of ways you can save energy around your home – and save yourself some money. Comparing electricity rates on NSW sites can also help you find a better deal
Home energy tips and tricks:
- Wash your clothes in cold water rather than hot water.
- Use your window shades or blinds, close your blinds, curtains or awnings on a summers day to keep the hot sun out, and in the winter months, open your blinds, curtains or awnings to allow the sun to warm your home.
- Turn off all appliances, lights and electronics that are not in use. A power board will allow you to turn multiple items on or off at once.
- Swap your light bulbs to the newest energy efficient light bulbs.
- When buying new appliances, always look for the energy star rating of the product to see how much, or how little energy your new appliance will use.
- Use low-flow taps in the shower to help save not only on your water usage, but also on heating costs. In a two-person household this saving can be as much as $160.00 in water and heating costs.
- Clean or change the filter in your air conditioner regularly. A dirty air conditioner filter slows down air flow, making the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.
- Reduce the heater temperature on your hot water system to save energy and money on heating water.
- Take the time to check around your windows and doors and seal any *air leaks* to save money on your heating and cooling bills. By *draught proofing* your home you can save up to 25% on your heating and cooling energy needs
- Setting the thermostat on your reverse cycle air conditioner 1C higher or lower can reduce the energy used to heat and cool your home by 5-10%.
- Try and use ceiling fans rather than air conditioners and set your air conditioner to 26C.
- In winter reduce air draughts by closing doors, windows and curtains.
- Make sure you leave enough space around the fridge in your kitchen and check that the fridge seals keep the door closed.
- Don’t over-fill your fridge.
- Cover pots and pans when cooking to reduce cooking times.
- Wait till the dishwasher is full before turning it on.
- Hang your clothes outside to dry your washing rather than using the dryer.
- Wait until your washing machine is full of clothes Before turning it on.
- Have shorter showers, no more than 4 minutes.
- If you are thinking of shopping around for a better deal with your electricity, use a compare electricity rates NSW site.