Eco Living
11 Tricks to Save Energy... and Money
Temperatures are rising by the week, and so it seems are energy prices! But don't worry, there are ways you can stop wasting energy
It’s crazy how most of us waste energy, and therefore money, when a few simple measures could really help. In fact, there are some major investments we can make in our homes which save so much money over time that they pay for themselves. Other simple things cost a little effort and no money. Either way, every little bit adds up and there is the potential to shave hundreds off our annual utility bills.
During spring we’re still keeping the chills at bay during the evening in many areas of Australia but we’ll soon be fending off the heat almost everywhere. So why not try the following methods to make your home more energy efficient?
During spring we’re still keeping the chills at bay during the evening in many areas of Australia but we’ll soon be fending off the heat almost everywhere. So why not try the following methods to make your home more energy efficient?
2. Block it out
Window treatments can play a crucial role in the temperature control of your home – for only the initial cost of the curtains or blinds. A dual system of a blockout and a sheer layer is an excellent method – you can use both layers on a cool night to lock in the heat and on hot days to block out the heat and strong light. Keep both open when you want to let in daylight and warmth. You can use the sheer layer on its own to filter strong sunlight or for daytime privacy.
Window treatments can play a crucial role in the temperature control of your home – for only the initial cost of the curtains or blinds. A dual system of a blockout and a sheer layer is an excellent method – you can use both layers on a cool night to lock in the heat and on hot days to block out the heat and strong light. Keep both open when you want to let in daylight and warmth. You can use the sheer layer on its own to filter strong sunlight or for daytime privacy.
3. Insulate, insulate
Insulation and gap sealing are key measures for both keeping heat in when it’s cold and keeping heat out when it’s hot. If you suspect your home could be better insulated, it might worth investing in quality insulation in the roof, in the floor or in the walls. Check that the R-value (thermal resistance) of the insulation is appropriate for your climate, and that your home is also well sealed, including your windows. You could even try using a door snake (or crocodile!).
Insulation and gap sealing are key measures for both keeping heat in when it’s cold and keeping heat out when it’s hot. If you suspect your home could be better insulated, it might worth investing in quality insulation in the roof, in the floor or in the walls. Check that the R-value (thermal resistance) of the insulation is appropriate for your climate, and that your home is also well sealed, including your windows. You could even try using a door snake (or crocodile!).
4. Switch off!
Leaving appliances running when not being used is a big energy waster that’s easy to fix. Also, leaving things on standby and not switching off at the plug is a really surprising money waster. Get into the habit of switching everything off at the plug at night – microwaves, stereos, laptops, TVs, the wi-fi – and you’ll notice a difference in your bills.
Leaving appliances running when not being used is a big energy waster that’s easy to fix. Also, leaving things on standby and not switching off at the plug is a really surprising money waster. Get into the habit of switching everything off at the plug at night – microwaves, stereos, laptops, TVs, the wi-fi – and you’ll notice a difference in your bills.
5. Let there be light
Sunlight is free, so find ways to get as much as you can into your home. You might never need to switch the lights on during the daytime again. Skylights come in all shapes and sizes, and in varying degrees of affordability. They can completely transform a space and save you money on lighting. You could also look at installing an extra window, if possible – or extending the windows – on the northern side of your home.
Sunlight is free, so find ways to get as much as you can into your home. You might never need to switch the lights on during the daytime again. Skylights come in all shapes and sizes, and in varying degrees of affordability. They can completely transform a space and save you money on lighting. You could also look at installing an extra window, if possible – or extending the windows – on the northern side of your home.
6. Spring-clean your appliances
Ask yourself if you really need them all? And think of how uncluttered you could be if you didn’t have endless amounts of electronic appliances. If they’re old they might be inefficient and using more energy than necessary. If you have timber or concrete floors you could ditch the vacuum and take up the broom – it can be much more effective and you’ll even be fitter for it!
Ask yourself if you really need them all? And think of how uncluttered you could be if you didn’t have endless amounts of electronic appliances. If they’re old they might be inefficient and using more energy than necessary. If you have timber or concrete floors you could ditch the vacuum and take up the broom – it can be much more effective and you’ll even be fitter for it!
7. Do you need that second fridge?
Oh how we love a second fridge in Australia. Well, it is a hot country, but not everywhere, all the time. Fridges use lots of power, so if you’re not in a very hot area, you could leave yours off or only use it during the summer months. Or if it’s just a drinks fridge, like the one pictured, consider only turning it on when you are entertaining. The savings could be significant.
Oh how we love a second fridge in Australia. Well, it is a hot country, but not everywhere, all the time. Fridges use lots of power, so if you’re not in a very hot area, you could leave yours off or only use it during the summer months. Or if it’s just a drinks fridge, like the one pictured, consider only turning it on when you are entertaining. The savings could be significant.
8. Save hot water
It’s costing money to heat your water so ensure there are no dripping hot taps around your home and, if you don’t already have them, install low-flow taps and showerheads. If you use electricity to heat your water, it might be cheaper to switch to gas or solar-boosted hot water.
It’s costing money to heat your water so ensure there are no dripping hot taps around your home and, if you don’t already have them, install low-flow taps and showerheads. If you use electricity to heat your water, it might be cheaper to switch to gas or solar-boosted hot water.
9. Install ceiling fans
A ceiling fan could really save you money so they easily pay for themselves over time. And ceiling fans cost a fraction of what air-conditioning does to run. They no longer come in one size and colour, too – there are hundreds of different styles to choose from.
A ceiling fan could really save you money so they easily pay for themselves over time. And ceiling fans cost a fraction of what air-conditioning does to run. They no longer come in one size and colour, too – there are hundreds of different styles to choose from.
10. Ditch the dryer
In warm, dry or windy weather, it’s a shame not to dry our clothes naturally if we have space and a good outdoor clothes line. It’s more friendly on our clothes, too. Even if it’s not dry, you could rig up a washing line out of the way in a warm area of your home, or set up a rack. It’s another way to dry your clothes for free.
More: Hung Out to Dry: Fresh Ideas for Your Clothes Line
In warm, dry or windy weather, it’s a shame not to dry our clothes naturally if we have space and a good outdoor clothes line. It’s more friendly on our clothes, too. Even if it’s not dry, you could rig up a washing line out of the way in a warm area of your home, or set up a rack. It’s another way to dry your clothes for free.
More: Hung Out to Dry: Fresh Ideas for Your Clothes Line
11. Get on ya bike!
Ok, so this is one case where using energy (yours!) will save money. Spring is a great time to dust off your bike, and having it on permanent display in the lounge room is a reminder to leave the car in the garage and go for a ride. Think of the money you’ll save when you are not using expensive fuel energy.
TELL US
Have you noticed your energy bills rising? Do you have any ideas to make your home more energy efficient? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
MORE TO READ
10 Ways to An Eco-Friendly Workspace
10 Ways Solar Passive Design Can Slash Your Energy Bills
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Aussie Climate
Ok, so this is one case where using energy (yours!) will save money. Spring is a great time to dust off your bike, and having it on permanent display in the lounge room is a reminder to leave the car in the garage and go for a ride. Think of the money you’ll save when you are not using expensive fuel energy.
TELL US
Have you noticed your energy bills rising? Do you have any ideas to make your home more energy efficient? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
MORE TO READ
10 Ways to An Eco-Friendly Workspace
10 Ways Solar Passive Design Can Slash Your Energy Bills
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Aussie Climate
It’s tempting to close up the house on a hot day, flick on the air-con, kick back and enjoy a cold beer. But, really, we might as well burn dollar notes. It’s quite easy to get a cross-breeze going through the home – and it’s free. An effective way is to open a door or window at one side of the house and then open up high windows on another. Because hot air rises much of the warm air will escape through those high windows. Experiment with creating cross breezes in your home and save turning on the air-con for just the hottest parts of the day at the height of summer.