Energy costs are on the increase and our planet is in trouble, but you can help by better understanding and managing your household usage. Since COVID-19 came along, we are spending more and more time in our homes than ever, which means we need to be more conscious of energy efficiency if we want to keep our gas and electricity bills down. Just a few small changes can make a big difference.
The four main energy drains in an average Australian home are:
- Heating and cooling
- Lighting
- Appliances
- Water heating
Let’s take a look at how you can reduce your consumption in each area.
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling account for roughly 40 per cent of the average home's energy usage, which makes it a particularly important area to focus on. We know that Australia gets hot, and that the air conditioner is often needed to beat the heat. Thankfully, there are some small changes you can do to reduce cooling and heating costs:
- During hot summer months, close curtains and blinds to keep rooms cooler
- In winter, opens blinds and curtains to warm your home naturally, but keep them closed on the shady side
- Where possible, utilise a ceiling fan rather than an air conditioner
- Seal drafts around doors, windows and fireplaces
- Heat or cool only the rooms you are using
- Choose fans for cooling in small spaces and bedrooms. They’re cheaper to run and more environmentally-friendly than air-conditioning
- Choose heating/cooling products wisely. There are options that can reduce fluctuations in energy load, resulting in quieter, more cost-effective operation.
Lighting
Lighting accounts for another 10 per cent of the average home's electricity usage, so try these handy fixes to shave a bit more off your bill:
- Switching on lights accounts for about six per cent of a home’s energy usage, so make the most of natural light when you can
- Don’t forget to turn them off when you leave the room, or consider installing sensors
- Energy-saving LED light globes use up to 75 per cent less energy than halogen or incandescent lights and last 5-10 times longer
- You may be able to access state or local government assistance to install new LED light bulbs
- Timers and dimmer switches help increase efficiency
- Solar lighting for gardens has dramatically improved, and the light bulbs are much brighter than they used to be
Appliances
Household appliances like dishwashers, ovens, washing machines and computers account for approximately one-third of your energy usage. Watching your favourite shows on a large TV screen for extended periods can burn more energy than a fridge. Appliances have high running costs, and if you want to be a handy little saver, it's important to understand their energy consumption. Here are some easy ways to save:
- Choose new appliances wisely. Check energy ratings before you buy, saving you money over its lifetime
- Adjust settings sensibly. Make sure the fridge temperature and thermostat are on the right temperature
- Use only what is necessary - ask yourself: do you need a second fridge and does the air conditioner need to be on today?
- Use eco settings wherever possible
- Clothes dryers consume a high amount of energy, so use a clothesline where possible
- Turning off at the wall saves money. Many appliances continue to draw power even when you’re not using them - look out for appliances that have standby power modes which help to conserve energy usage
Water heating
Heating water eats up around 20 per cent of an average household’s energy usage, and even more if you love long showers. Here are some simple cheats:
- Use cold water for the washing machine where possible
- Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load
- Lower the water heater thermostat to between 60°C and 65°C
- Install a water-efficient showerhead and take shorter showers
- Install a solar hot water system, heat pump, or gas hot water system, all of which are more energy-efficient than electric
Next steps
Dedicated to creating an eco-friendly home and reducing your energy bills? Consider embracing solar energy. Recent improvements in collecting and storing methods have made it a much more attractive solution, price-wise.
A solar power system insulates you from rising energy prices by lowering your reliance on the grid while shrinking your carbon footprint. It works by connecting the solar panels on your roof to an inverter, which then converts the solar-generated DC (direct current) electricity to AC (alternating current) electricity, suitable for household use. Power is only drawn from the grid if your consumption exceeds solar generation.
In the past, any unused energy generated was either wasted or sent back
to the network. Now it’s possible to store it with technology like the Tesla Powerwall, drawing
down power only when needed. By using smart technology, you can track
and control your solar consumption via your phone, making it even easier
to be energy efficient.
If you’d like to speak to a Metricon expert about what energy-efficient options might be available to you, contact us here.
