According to research, energy consumption is one of Australia’s highest utility costs and the world. And considering the current financial economy, there is a need for everyone to try and formulate ways to cut down on their consumption and save some of their hard-earned cash.
Apart from that, energy consumption is responsible for about 40% of the total carbon emissions globally. So, even if money is not a problem, you still need to cut down on your energy consumption to save your environment.
In this article, you will discover some of the best tips you can use to lower the cost of energy in your home.
Always Unplug The Electrical Devices That Are Not In Use
Did you know that devices continue to consume electrical energy even when they are off? That’s right. Most people think that switching off their devices is enough to save energy costs, but this could not be further from the truth. Although in small bits, your electronic devices will continue to draw electricity from their outlets even after you turn them off, and unplugging is the only way to stop that from happening. You might not notice the difference in a single day, but in the long run, you will see a significant drop in your overall cost of energy.
Bulbs consume a lot of energy too. Only use them in the absence of natural light. If your rooms are too dark, try opening all your windows to allow more light to enter. Other ways you can use to brighten your darkroom include.
- Painting your walls and ceiling in bright colors
- Using mirrors
- Using a door or doors with a window
- Consider bright colored furniture etc.
Anything you can do to maximize natural lighting will come in handy to lower your energy consumption and save you some money.
Always Ensure That Your Air Conditioner Is In Mint Condition
Your air conditioner accounts for approximately 50% of the total energy cost in your home. With a poorly-maintained air conditioner, this cost can only go higher. Make sure that your air conditioner is always working well to keep your energy consumption at a bare minimum. That means investing in a regular maintenance schedule to identify and fix issues on time before they escalate. According to electricians in Canberra, you should service your air conditioner at least once per year and always rely on an expert to maximize your benefits.
Invest In Smart Lighting Solutions
If you are still using traditional lighting like halogen and incandescent bulbs, maybe it’s high time you switched to a modern energy-efficient LED lighting system. LED bulbs are 25 times more durable and consume almost 75% less energy than traditional bulbs.
To maximize the benefits, you can also invest in smart switches to complement your LED lighting system. These switches have motion sensors, which come in handy, especially when people forget to switch off their lights. The motion sensors will automatically turn the lights on when you enter a room and turn them off when no one is present. They are the perfect solution to avoid unnecessary consumption of energy.
Invest In Energy-Efficient Electronic Devices
Another way to lower your energy costs is by using energy-efficient electronics in your home. Different devices have different energy ratings to indicate their efficiency levels. The higher it is, the better. Check all your electronic devices to confirm their ratings. Replace those with low energy ratings and keep the rest.
It might be tempting to think that your devices do not significantly impact your energy cost simply because they do not consume much energy. That is not true unless you use only one device, which significantly impacts the long run. On the other hand, multiple devices will have a collective impact on your total monthly energy cost.
Using the most energy-efficient electronics will ensure optimum energy consumption and leave you some change in your pocket.
Avoid Running An Empty Fridge Or Freezer
An empty fridge/freezer consumes more energy because it keeps cooling the air between the spaces.
A full fridge/freezer, on the other hand, consumes less energy because it has less air space to cool and the cold items help preserve the temperature inside. The emptier it is, the more the energy consumption and the higher the cost. Keep your fridge/freezer full at all times to avoid paying high electricity bills.
That does not necessarily mean that you have to buy foodstuff if you are not in a position to do so. You can also use bottles of water or even paper to fill your fridge and still get the same result. What you use is up to you as long as it is safe.
Consider Using Renewable Energy
Renewable energy refers to energy generated from the inexhaustible resources of nature. These include
- Solar energy
- Bio-energy
- Wind energy and the likes
Using natural resources to generate electricity is the most effective way to save money on your energy cost. The process is eco-friendly and a more sustainable solution to our energy needs.
There is a general misconception that renewable energy is costly. Well, this is true up to a certain point. Indeed, setting up the systems, for example, buying and installing solar panels, is expensive, but that is a one-time expense. If you do it right, you will no longer have to deal with the monthly electrical bills with a regular maintenance cost, which is relatively low, as the only other expense.
Again, you might not feel the financial impact immediately, but you stand to gain more in the long run.
Engage in Energy-efficient Cooking Practices
Covering your food with lids when cooking and using the right cooking materials are the two most energy-efficient cooking practices. These ensure less cooking times and much less fuel consumption, ultimately saving you overall energy costs.
Conclusion
There are so many ways you can use to save up on your energy costs. Some may apply to you, while others may not.
As you try to find the ways that are best suited for your needs, you can start by choosing from these seven most efficient methods.
