How much happier would you be if you had an extra $1000 to spend, simply by reducing your energy consumption costs? Needless to say, you are probably starting to think of fun ways you could spend that $1000. Typically, there are common energy consumption habits in the home that cause unwanted surprises when our energy bill arrives. To start making immediate savings, use the following advice from lighting experts LEDified to help reduce your home’s energy consumption habits.
Habit #1 – Make more use of natural light within your property.
Letting more natural light into your home is the quickest way to reduce your lights energy consumption. Some useful habits include:
- Opening the curtains.
- Opening windows.
- Mounting more mirrors around the property to reflect more natural light around the rooms.
- Placing glass objects around the property to reflect more natural light around the rooms.
- Installing solar tubes around the property to let more natural light enter the property.
- Installing skylights to let in natural sunlight.
- Painting the walls in reflective colours to make the room appear brighter.
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Habit #2 – Dry clothes outside rather than with the clothes dryer.
According to the appliance calculator from SwitchOn Victoria, a 4kg dryer that is used for 30 minutes a day will cost the consumer approximately $90 per year. Rather than rely on the electric clothes dryer, hang your clothes outside and let the Mother Nature dry your clothes for you.
Habit #3 – Use heating alternatives.
When the temperature starts to drop (especially during the winter), people will quickly turn up their heaters, which also raises the household’s energy consumption. Annual bills could range from $400 to $4000. Although leaving the heater on all day or all night seems like a good idea, there are other ways you can keep warm without relying on electrical heating solutions. These include:
- Using hot water bottles to keep beds, blankets and duvets warm.
- Insulating your property to keep the heat inside your property.
- Installing double-glazed windows to increase the heat into your property.
- Purchasing high-tog duvets to keep you warm.
- Sealing any areas of your property that cause unwanted drafts.
- Wear warm clothing inside your home.
- For properties that have wooden or tiled flooring, place rugs on the floor to add a sense of warmth to the property.
- If your property has a fireplace, use it to keep your property warm.
Habit #4 – Avoid using the air conditioner.
When the weather gets warm, people generally look to air-conditioning for immediate relief. There are times when it is essential that air conditioning is used. However, it is best to consider other ‘cooling’ alternatives before switching on your air conditioning. Some ideas you can try include:
- Drinking an iced beverage.
- Opening windows.
- Closing curtains or blinds.
- Using heavy curtains or blinds to keep the solar heat out of the property.
- Using standing or heavy duty fans.
- Spraying water on your skin.
- Insulating your property to keep the heat out.
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Habit #5 – Install energy efficient lighting solutions.
One of the major energy consumers in the home comes from lighting. Many homes still use incandescent light bulbs, which waste most of the consumed energy in the form of heat. By installing energy efficient light bulbs such as LED lights, your property can reduce its light energy consumption by 80%.
Habit #6 – Switch to an LED TV.
Televisions have come a long way over the past 50 years. Many people choose to unwind by watching television before and after our working day. Watching 8 hours a day on a plasma TV would cost the average household $200 a year. Whereas an LED TV would cost about $120 for the same consumption.
The tips that have been provided are just the starting point for finding energy-saving methods within your home. Stop wasting your money on misused energy by applying energy saving habits and activities in your property today!
