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If you’re wondering how to save electricity, you may be surprised to learn that there are plenty of ways to slash your energy bill. Some are easier than others to implement, and some will save more money than others.
Fortunately, we’ve done the legwork and compiled this handy guide on how to save electricity. Read on to learn how to save energy at home.
1. Consider installing solar panels
Whilst solar panels aren’t the easiest solution to implement, and of course, there are installation costs, they are an excellent investment that will save you plenty of money in the long-term. If you want to know how to save electricity, this is an excellent place to start.
Even a small set up will save you money when billing time comes around since solar energy is free. It is estimated that a 5KW solar panel system can shave approximately $500 off your electricity bill every quarter!
Not to mention, solar Installation are an eco-friendly solution, and furthermore, they require little maintenance.
Solar garden lights can also be great idea to save electricity. Most Aussie homes have front and backyards and getting these solar garden lights can effectively save fait bit each year.
2. Assess your lighting
Not all lights are created equally, especially when we’re focusing on how to save energy at home. Often the types of bulbs that cost more to purchase initially are cheaper to run and longer-lasting, saving you money in the long run.
Incandescent bulbs tend to be the worst offenders, followed by halogen bulbs. Consider switching to LED lights which use less electricity, and last longer.
Using lamps and spotlights is also cheaper than having the main lights on, and of course, you should always turn lights off when you’re not using them. Checkout commercial lighting tips if you are looking for tips on reducing your electricity bills in your business.
3. Optimise your thermostat
Heating and cooling costs can get expensive, but that doesn’t mean that you have to suffer through colder winters and sweltering summers.
You can save on your electricity bill by setting the heating to between 18-20 degrees in summer, as each degree above this can add approximately 10% to the running costs. In winter, set the thermostat to about 25 degrees, as each degree below this can also add 10%.
Keeping doors, windows, and curtains closed will also mean that your heaters and air conditioners don’t have to work as hard, further reducing electricity usage.
4. Insulate your home
Another way to reduce your heating and cooling costs is with insulation. This helps to keep your home cool in the summer and retain heat during the winter, reducing the need for heaters and air conditioning.
If your home is already insulated, it’s still worth doing some research to check that you have the best insulation in each area of the home. Pay particular attention to the roof, which is a common offender for letting air escape throughout the day.
5. Optimise your washing machine
Check that your washing machine is energy efficient and up to date. Older appliances often don’t run at peak performance, which means that they end up using more energy and costing you more money.
Hot water uses a lot of power, so washing your laundry on a cold setting can have a huge impact on your electricity bill. Whilst hot water generally does a better job of cleaning, cold water is fine for most day-to-day laundry. You can also check your washing machine for any eco settings.
Consider cutting out one load per week by only putting on full loads and the savings will add up by the end of the year.
6. Dry your laundry efficiently
Washing lines are free to use, whereas your tumble dryer is not. Try to use the washing line wherever possible if you’re trying to cut down your electricity bill. If you usually use the dryer 4 times per week, using the washing line 50% of the time could save you approximately $100 per year depending on your dryer.
If you must use the tumble dryer, you may be interested to learn that adding a dry towel into the load can significantly reduce drying time, leading to large savings on your energy bill.
7. Check your fridge and freezer
Your fridge temperature should be set to 4-5 degrees, and the freezer should be set to between -15 and -18 degrees. Furthermore, both should be kept in cool and well-ventilated spots away from the oven and out of direct sunlight.
It is also important to check that seals on fridges and freezers are airtight. Leaky or inefficient seals mean that the appliances have to work harder to keep cool, using more energy in the process.
8. Unplug your electronics
Appliances that are plugged in when not in use could be adding over $100 per year to your energy bills. If you want to know how to save energy in the home, unplugging phone chargers, televisions, microwaves, dishwashers, and other appliances is a simple solution.
If you tend to forget to unplug your appliances, invest in a smart power board that prevents standby electricity for you.
9. Take shorter showers
As mentioned earlier, hot water is expensive so cutting down every shower by as little as five minutes can reduce energy usage significantly over the course of the year.
Fitting a low-flow showerhead will also reduce energy usage and pay for itself in the long term.
10. Assess your window situation
There are two ways that optimised window areas can help you to save electricity. Firstly, north facing windows let in much more natural light than south facing windows because the sun is always located to our north.
Whilst you will need to spend some time and money installing a new window, a large north facing window will reduce how many lights need to be on during the day, saving you energy and money in the long run.
Secondly, window coverings are important for temperature control. Select window coverings that will promote airflow through your home and block out the sun during summer, and keep the cold out during the winter. This should mean less electricity and money spent on heating and cooling.
11. Turn off the tap when you’re shaving, washing your hands, or brushing your teeth
If the hot tap is running whilst you’re shaving, rubbing soap into your hands, or brushing your teeth, you are wasting electricity every day. Simply turn the tap off when you’re not actually using it and the savings will begin to add up.
If you can’t convince the other members of your household to do the same, try putting a cup over all hot taps in the house to block them. This simple hack makes it slight more inconvenient to use the hot tap, so most people who would usually reach for the hot tap out of habit will think twice, and most likely go for the cold one.
12. Optimise your cooking strategies
Try reducing the amount of heat that you use in the kitchen during the warmer months by eating more salads, sandwiches, barbeques, and smoothies. Not only will you save energy by not using the oven, but you will also reduce the amount of heat in your home, therefore saving on home cooling costs.
In addition, try to use the microwave, crock pot, or toaster oven instead of your oven where possible, as this will be quicker and more energy-efficient. A microwave typically takes around 15 minutes to do what an over does in an hour.
Another tip is to cook several meals at once, since the oven is already preheated. This saves energy as you are saving all of that empty preheating time. Plus, with several meals made ahead, you will have more time to do things that you enjoy. You can also batch-make your coffee for the day and keep it in a thermos.
Finally, once you have frozen those extra meals, defrost them the natural way rather than using the microwave. This does require you to be organised, so if necessary stick a reminder on your freezer to take food out in advance.
13. Save money on washing up and dishwasher use
Sure, dishwashers are convenient, but they’re not the most energy-efficient way to wash up. However, you can save electricity and still use your dishwasher. Firstly, try to only use it when you have a full load. If you must use it with a smaller load, adjust the settings accordingly.
You may also consider buying a more eco-friendly dishwasher to save electricity and money in the long term. Furthermore, you should de-select the heat dry setting if you are trying to save electricity, as it’s actually quite expensive.
For those who are washing up the old-fashioned way, avoid leaving the water running whilst you’re washing up. Always put the plug into the sink and let the basin fill up, to avoid wasting electricity on heating up water unnecessarily.
If you have two sink basins, fill one with soapy water and the other with rinsing water. If you have one sink, place washed dishes on a rack and then rinse them with a rinsing device or a pan of hot water.
14. Check your faucets for leaks
To round off our guide on how to save electricity here is our final tip. Check all taps and pipes in your home for any hot water leaks. After all, you don’t want to be paying to heat water that will just leak out. Once any leaks are repaired, consider fixing aerators to your taps to reduce hot water usage, which in turn will save electricity.
Aerators are cheap and easy to install and can halve your water usage. Furthermore, most people don’t even notice the difference in the amount of water coming out from the tap. As you save water, you will also save on the amount of electricity needed to heat the water up.