Energy Saving Tips

If you’re thinking of going solar, reducing energy now can result in significant savings on your solar array.

If you’re not thinking of going solar, just enjoy the savings.

 IN THE KITCHEN

• Eat by candlelight – its romantic and even the kids can get into it.
• Slow cookers, electric fry pans and electric kettles use less power than the stove top or oven.
• Vacuum or dust the coils at the back of refrigerators and freezers every month to allow for better circulation and minimize power needs.
• Use the energy saving setting on your dishwasher.

Fridges and freezers are big power users – they can account for around 14 per cent of your household’s annual power bills. But there are a few small adjustments that you can make that will help your fridge run more efficiently, and save you a few dollars too.

For example, fridges need to be set at 3-4°C⁽¹⁾ and freezers at -18°C to keep food fresh. Any lower and you’re just paying for wasted power.

Lowering your fridge temperature by a tiny 1°C will quickly add up on your power bill, as well as generating about five per cent more carbon pollution each year.

LAUNDRY DAY

• Use the cool cycle or low heat setting as much as possible on your dryer.
• Add 2 or 3 tennis balls to a load. They keep fabrics fluffed up and reduces drying time.
• Front loading washers use less power, water and detergent and any appliance that displays the energy star logo has been proven in the energy conservation department.

• Wash your clothes in cold water (studies show that hot water has little benefit). And only full loads at a time.

LIGHTING

• Turn lights off in unused rooms.
• Put dimmer switches on lights where you don’t always need bright light.
• Installing a Solar Powered Security Light outside will ensure safe passage for your family and guests while discouraging intruders. Solar lights use no expensive grid power.
• Use LED light bulbs in all light fixtures. LED (or light emitting diode) bulbs are better than those twirly compact fluorescent bulbs and way better than incandescents.

Initially LED bulbs are more expensive at $25 to $30 per bulb BUT they’ll last for 22 years.The cost of incandescent bulbs over 22 years would be well over $100.00, more than 3 times the cost of LED’s.

HEAT AND HOT WATER

• Use a programmable thermostat to automatically turn the heat down at bedtime or  turn heat up just before you get up in the morning or return home in the evening.
• Programmable water heaters do much the same as the thermostat, heating water only when it is normally used rather than keeping it hot all day and night.
• Change (or at least look at) filters on air conditioners and furnaces once a year.
• Turn heat off (or close registers) and close doors to unused rooms. Same with air conditioning, only heat or cool the main living area.
• Seal and insulate heating ducts everywhere you can gain access including basement and attic.
• Reduce your air conditioning needs by installing ceiling fans and strategically placing fans to keep living areas comfortable.
• To keep the heat in (or out) insulate doors, windows, floors, ceilings and walls.

ELECTRONICS

• Plug electronics into a HLD controller that can be easily switched off at night. TV’s, computers and stereo equipment in particular, use energy even when they’re turned off. The power bar essentially unplugs without unplugging.
• When charging devices overnight the batteries only need a few hours (not all night), use a timer to turn off the charger after 3 to 4 hours.
• Laptop computers use much less energy than a desk top.

Not completely switching off

As well as switching off at the power point, there are other power-saving features often built into new electronics, computers and office equipment:

• look for new appliances that are ENERGY STAR compliant – they reduce the amount of power used when in standby or idle mode (but switching off is better)
• enable power saving features on computers, screens, fax machines, scanners, printers and office equipment – consult the manufacturer’s website or instruction manuals to find out how, or visit the ENERGY STAR website

• If appliances are left on standby they are still using power and this can really add up.
• Did you know that mobile phone and other chargers, if left plugged in, use power even if they’re not connected to your phone or equipment? In fact, a microwave oven can use more power and generate more carbon pollution running the digital clock than cooking food.
• Over a year, this can all add up to 10 per cent of your power bill. Just think about it: if your yearly electricity bill is $1,000 you’re paying $100 on powering appliances that you’re not even using!

Make the best use of natural light

Natural light costs you nothing and well-designed north-facing windows and skylights let in light without adding to heating and cooling costs.

The decor in your home may also contribute to your power usage – while light coloured surfaces reflect and distribute natural light, dark surfaces absorb it, making you reach for the light switch.

Make light use of artificial lighting

To make the best use of artificial lighting:

• Switch to LEDS where lighting is required for long periods of time – like in living rooms, over kitchen benches or on desks
• replace low-voltage halogen down lights with energy efficient fittings – if retrofitting isn’t an option, fit lower wattage and more efficient bulbs
• use task lighting, such as reading lamps, when only a specific area needs to be lit rather than lighting the entire room
• use timers, movement and daylight sensors for hallway, outdoors and special lighting needs
• install two-way switches to encourage lights to be switched off at either end of the room
• provide separate switching controls and separate lighting into small groups or types for optimal lighting control
• Turn lights off in unused rooms.
• In places where you need to keep lights switched on for long periods (like the living room or kitchen) choose energy efficient globes(LEDS) instead of old-style incandescent (pear-shaped) bulbs and, if possible, use movement and daylight sensors or timers rather than leaving lights on for long periods.
• See the light! Simply by switching lights off when you leave a room you can save $100 a year 3 and you’ll also stop 400kg of carbon pollution being released into the atmosphere.

GENERAL

• Make a solar oven with the kids or grandkids and use it. It’s Fun and Educational
• Place a 1 litre bottle full of water into the toilet tank if you don’t have a water saving variety. This displaces and saves a litre of water for every flush. When it comes time to replace the toilet go with the low water use varieties.
• Plant deciduous trees in front of south facing windows. In winter the naked branches allow the sun to warm the house and the leaves in summer provide shade.
• When appliances need to be replaced, buy the most energy efficient ones on the market. From most to least these are the energy sucking appliances: Refrigerator, electric oven, central air conditioning, freezer, washing machine, dryer, electric stovetop and dishwasher.
• Drive less and walk, cycle or use public transportation, etc. more.
• Carpool or use public transportation more often.
• Consuming local products and foods saves fuel and the environment (transportation)
• Recycling and reusing saves energy and resources.
• Use sturdy fabric reusable bags to carry groceries.