With the winter months blowing a fuse with household electricity bills, no one would turn down the chance to save some money. Energy-saving around your house doesn’t have to be a difficult process nor do you have to suffer through a cold winter without heating. In fact, simple steps to reduce your electrical usage can add up to big savings by the time your electricity bill comes around.
Energy-saving starts with understanding which areas in your house consume the most electricity. In an average household, the number one category consuming the most electricity is heating and cooling followed by water heating, appliances and equipment (such as fridges and home theatre systems) and lighting.
Saving on your heating & cooling
When it comes to heating, keep your household temperature around 18-20°C. Anything higher than 20°C uses approximately 10% more energy. Go a step ahead and snuggle under a thick duvet or electrical throw and turn off your heating. On the flip side, if you’re cooling your house, make sure your AC is set above 24°C. Anything lower will consume 5% more energy. Alternate between your air-con and fan and save almost $200 a year.
It’s tough to get in and out of the shower in under four minutes, but if you can practice efficiency in the shower at least a few days a week, you can save a couple of hundred dollars. Invest in a water-efficient showerhead to reap even more benefits.
Electric equipment energy saving tips
Appliances account for 33% of total energy usage at home and there are simple ways to save big. Refrigerators and freezers consume the most amount of electricity. Setting your fridge between 3-5°C and your freezer at -15°C can bring your overall costs down. Right after your fridge, your washing and dryer machines consume a significant amount of energy. Don’t worry, we aren’t asking you to wash your clothes by hand. Setting your wash cycle to cold water can add up to big savings. You can save up to $115 a year. Additionally, when possible, dry your clothes on a rack or better yet, get it out in the sun.
Lastly, you can save with your household lighting. Opt for LED lights and see the savings pouring in. They use much less energy than other lights. In fact, you can save up to $16 per light yearly when you make the switch. As much as it’s a no-brainer, you’d be surprised how many households leave lights turned on in empty rooms. If you have children (or even adults) who may forget to turn off lights, invest in smart motion-sensor lighting options to save you money. Similarly, motion-sensor lights fitted outdoors can minimise the chances of leaving your shed light or other lights turned on overnight.
Your trusted Albany Electrician
At face value, it may seem tough to save on your electricity bill, but if you make small changes and opt for smart electrical choices, you can save big. If you’re in the market to find experienced and trusted home electricians Albany who can assist you with residential electrical maintenance, contact your electrician in Albany, Northern Lights. With over 20 years of experience in residential, commercial and industrial electrical services, you’ll be in reliable hands with Northern Lights electrical services Albany. Contact the team for a free quotation and a chat on how you can improve your home electrical repairs and maintenance.
