With the price of utility bills set to double over the next 12 months, many of us will be looking for ways to reduce our energy consumption, and our energy bills. We’ve given this some thought as well, and come up with ways you can keep a lid on your energy bills.
6 Ways To Reduce Your Year Round Energy Bills
Some energy-saving ideas work all year round. Here are a few we’ve thought of.
Invest In Solar Panels And Arrange Your Power Usage So You’re Using Your Own Power
This truly is the best way to reduce your energy bills. Granted, they’re an up-front expense but when correctly installed, they pay for themselves very quickly. Installed correctly means on an unshaded roof, preferably facing north, although west-facing here in Perth also works well for mid to late afternoon power generation. Synergy’s higher buy-back tariff also kicks in for power generated from mid-afternoon onwards.
To get maximum benefits from your solar panels, schedule your major electricity consuming activities for times when the panels are generating at maximum, or close to maximum, capacity. For instance, instead of turning on the dishwasher at night, run it during the day (use a timer switch if you’re not there to turn it on). Do your washing during the day if you can (and use a clothes line not a clothes drier!). Turn on the pool pump during the day (or invest in a solar-powered one). And so on….
Invest In Energy Efficient Appliances
Replace your old energy devouring appliances.
The days of power-guzzling TVs, refrigerators, lights and other appliances have long gone. Today’s sleek modern appliances are mostly designed to use as little energy as possible whilst still delivering the same results. Make a point of studying the star rating of every appliance you buy and where possible going for the best-ranked ones you can afford. At a bare minimum, invest in energy saving lighting.
And Switch Them Off At The Wall When Not In Use
Get into the habit of turning off electrical appliances at the wall socket. Many still use a bit of energy even when turned off.
Block Leaky Doors And Windows
This tip works well any time of the year. Seal cracks in windowsill and around doors to minimise the loss of cool air (and warm air in winter).
Keep Internal Temperatures Steady
Instead of giving in to the temptation to crank up the heating, or air-conditioning because it’s colder or hotter outside, do what the manufacturers recommend and keep them running at a consistent temperature. Most of these appliances work far more efficiently when you do this.
For New Builds
If you’re in the process of building a new home, implement energy-saving design features right from the start. When done correctly, they can completely do away with (or drastically reduce) the need for any type of cooling or heating systems.
7 Ways To Reduce Your Summer Energy Bills
Being cooped up in a hot stuffy house in summer because you don’t want to run up your power bill isn’t fun. However, there are a number of things you can do to keep your house cooler naturally without resorting to flicking on the air-con.
Fans Don’t Cost As Much To Run As An Air-con
Invest in some fans and, unless it’s one of those scorching Perth summer days, consider using them rather than the air conditioner. Granted, they use electricity but nowhere near as much as the air-con unit does. For an added chill, consider jumping in the pool or hosing yourself down, and allowing nature’s air-conditioning system to do its job.
Shade North And West Facing Windows
Keep any north and west facing windows shaded whilst the sun is on them. Good curtains or blinds work well for this, as do external window shades, shady trees, and shrubs.
Plant Shady Trees And Shrubs
Consider planting deciduous trees or bushes to shade your north and west facing windows. They will lose their leaves in winter and conversely allow the sun to warm those windows during the cooler months.
The Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstoemia induce) for example is a popular tree that grows well in Perth and has beautiful showy white, mauve, purple, pink, or carmine flowers. If you have a largish back yard, a jacaranda tree is another option. Their benefits far outweigh the inconvenience of raking up their leaves for a few weeks each year. There are also plenty of other deciduous plants with proven track records for Perth conditions.
Design Your Garden To Be More Than Just A Pretty Outdoor Space
Some homeowners have designed entire garden spaces to act as giant coolers and heaters. The principles behind it are that as the breezes flow through the foliage, they’re cooled down before they reach the house.
The shrubbery also provides much-needed shade and insulation from the heat. These gardens also work well in winter where strategically placed trees and shrubs help block prevailing cold winds. Likewise, carefully placed deciduous plants let the sun and warmer air through to the house as they lose their foliage over winter.
Open Doors And Windows When It’s Cooler Outside
As temperatures drop in the late afternoon and overnight, throw open windows to let trapped heat escape. West-facing windows for example will allow the cooling afternoon sea breezes to flow through the house. Open south-facing and shaded east-facing windows as soon as the outside temperature drops. Likewise, open doors to allow better air flow throughout the house.
Use Heat Generating Appliances When It’s Cooler
Avoid using appliances like ovens and cook tops during the hottest part of the day.
For Pool Owners
Use a pool cover, and use the pool to cool down rather than relying on the air-con.. If it’s heated, invest in cheaper heating alternatives like solar heat pumps. Run the pump during off peak power times, unless you have solar panels, in which case run it when they’re generating power for you.
6 Ways To Reduce Your Winter Energy Bills
Just as it’s no fun sweltering in a hot house, it’s also no fun shivering in a cold one in winter either.
Invest In A Wood Burning Stove
Just as investing in solar panels can considerably reduce your energy bills, investing in a wood-burning stove can also reduce them in winter. Yes, we hear you about climate change and pollution but also consider this – by reducing your grid energy use, you’re also reducing your reliance on fossil fuel generated power. It’s probably a fair trade-off.
A wood-burning stove serves a dual purpose. It heats your house AND you can also use it for cooking, thereby negating the need to use your electric or gas stove.
Pile On Bedding And Clothing Instead Of Cranking Up The Heater
Turn off the heating overnight and add more bedding, or layers of clothing, instead. Sure, you’ll look like an Eskimo but you’ll also reduce your heating bill. Incidentally, hot water bottles are also a very handy alternative to electric blankets.
Along the same theme, add layers during the day as well rather than turning up the heating.
Don’t Heat Empty Rooms
If you aren’t using certain rooms, consider closing them off so you aren’t wasting heat.
Take Advantage Of The Sun Hitting Those North And West Facing Windows
Open the blinds or curtains on windows that get the sun, and close them again when they’re not getting sun.
Use Your Fans
This might seem counter productive but turning your fans on will help circulate warm air around the house.
Use The Shower To Get Clean, Not Warm
Don’t stand under the shower for ages warming up. You’re wasting either electricity or gas. Interestingly, your body warms up quite quickly after a cool shower. Not that we recommend you go as far as having cold showers! There’s a limit to how much you should do to conserve energy!
Keeping A Lid On Your Energy Bills
Identify your energy use hotspots – heating, cooling, refrigerator, hot water, pool, spa, cooking, lighting. Identify the equipment in these hotspots that is likely using the most energy (old fridges, electric hot water heater, old light bulbs etc) and replace them with more efficient models. Then consider how you can reduce your use of them.
