Lifestyle
Saving Energy in your Home
21-Jun-2021
Changing the way you use energy within your home could make a big difference in your next bill. Everything you do adds up, so even the smallest changes could impact your energy levels.
The Living Room
Switch appliances off at the wall- Gaming consoles, stereos, computers and DVD players all use energy when they are in standby mode. If you are not using these appliances, turn them off at the switch to save energy.
Use lamps or spotlights- If you only need a small source of light, rather than turning the whole room on, just use a lamp or spotlight.
Use energy-saving globes- Simply replace old light globes to compact fluorescent ones to be more energy efficient.
Are all the lights on? If you are not using the room, turn the lights off. Or if its a bright day, you don't need the lights at all, just open the curtains to naturally light up the room.
The Kitchen
Cooking appliances- To reduce cooking times, thaw your food in the fridge first. Microwaves also use less energy than an oven. However when you are using an oven, try not to open the door too much as this lets heat out meaning the oven uses more energy to reheat itself.
Using the stove top- Keep the lids on pots. This will reduce the length of time it takes to cook your food. Not only does this save energy, but your dinner will be ready quicker as well.
Boiling water- Use an electric kettle rather than the stove as it uses less energy.
Dishwasher- Only run the dishwasher when its full. Also use the economy cycle for everyday washing. this helps save water and energy.
Fridge and freezer- Set your fridge temperature to 4-5 degrees and your freezer temperature between -15 and -18 degrees Celsius. You also want to ensure your fridge and freezer is in a cool, well-ventilated spot. Keep it away from the oven and the sun to save electricity. Also keep a five-centimetre gap around your fridge so air can circulate freely.
The Laundry
Washing clothes- Only run a load when the washing machine is full, this will reduce the amount of times you use the machine. When you can, use cold water to wash your clothes and spin them before putting something in the drying machine.
Drying clothes- Instead of putting your clothes straight in the dryer, put them on a clothes line. When you do need to use the dryer it is the same as the washing machine, only turn the dryer on once there is a full load.
The Bathroom
Use water wisely- Install water saving shower heads in your home to reduce the amount of hot water used and therefore the energy used to heat up that water. Also shorten your showers to less than 5 minutes.
Turn appliances off- Hair dryers, hair straighteners and electric toothbrushes should all be turned off at the switch when not in use.
Outside Areas
Timers and sensors- Programmable sensors and timers to light outside areas are a great way to only use energy when you know you need it.
Solar power- Using solar lights for your outside areas are a great way to save energy.
Separate your lighting- Separate your lighting into different areas so you can choose which section you want to light up.
Cooling and Heating
Reduce the use of cooling and heating devices- Close the doors to rooms you don't need to heat or cool, use curtains to block out heat, and open windows to let cool breezes in. Try to only use your heating and cooling devices when you really need them.
Care for your cooling and heating devices- Clean out your air conditioner so it uses less energy to run. Also ensure to turn off your devices overnight as well as when you are not home.
The Living Room
Switch appliances off at the wall- Gaming consoles, stereos, computers and DVD players all use energy when they are in standby mode. If you are not using these appliances, turn them off at the switch to save energy.
Use lamps or spotlights- If you only need a small source of light, rather than turning the whole room on, just use a lamp or spotlight.
Use energy-saving globes- Simply replace old light globes to compact fluorescent ones to be more energy efficient.
Are all the lights on? If you are not using the room, turn the lights off. Or if its a bright day, you don't need the lights at all, just open the curtains to naturally light up the room.
The Kitchen
Cooking appliances- To reduce cooking times, thaw your food in the fridge first. Microwaves also use less energy than an oven. However when you are using an oven, try not to open the door too much as this lets heat out meaning the oven uses more energy to reheat itself.
Using the stove top- Keep the lids on pots. This will reduce the length of time it takes to cook your food. Not only does this save energy, but your dinner will be ready quicker as well.
Boiling water- Use an electric kettle rather than the stove as it uses less energy.
Dishwasher- Only run the dishwasher when its full. Also use the economy cycle for everyday washing. this helps save water and energy.
Fridge and freezer- Set your fridge temperature to 4-5 degrees and your freezer temperature between -15 and -18 degrees Celsius. You also want to ensure your fridge and freezer is in a cool, well-ventilated spot. Keep it away from the oven and the sun to save electricity. Also keep a five-centimetre gap around your fridge so air can circulate freely.
The Laundry
Washing clothes- Only run a load when the washing machine is full, this will reduce the amount of times you use the machine. When you can, use cold water to wash your clothes and spin them before putting something in the drying machine.
Drying clothes- Instead of putting your clothes straight in the dryer, put them on a clothes line. When you do need to use the dryer it is the same as the washing machine, only turn the dryer on once there is a full load.
The Bathroom
Use water wisely- Install water saving shower heads in your home to reduce the amount of hot water used and therefore the energy used to heat up that water. Also shorten your showers to less than 5 minutes.
Turn appliances off- Hair dryers, hair straighteners and electric toothbrushes should all be turned off at the switch when not in use.
Outside Areas
Timers and sensors- Programmable sensors and timers to light outside areas are a great way to only use energy when you know you need it.
Solar power- Using solar lights for your outside areas are a great way to save energy.
Separate your lighting- Separate your lighting into different areas so you can choose which section you want to light up.
Cooling and Heating
Reduce the use of cooling and heating devices- Close the doors to rooms you don't need to heat or cool, use curtains to block out heat, and open windows to let cool breezes in. Try to only use your heating and cooling devices when you really need them.
Care for your cooling and heating devices- Clean out your air conditioner so it uses less energy to run. Also ensure to turn off your devices overnight as well as when you are not home.