beat the rising costs of energy
15 Aug 2011
|
reflections
,
life
,
money
As you’re probably aware, energy bills are on the rise around Australia, including a 17.3 per cent hike for NSW residents on 1 July.
But there are some things you can do to save energy and keep costs low.
Investing in energy efficient appliances and lighting is the best way to conserve energy and costs in the long-term. But there are
also some ‘no cost’ and ‘low-cost’ things you can do to start cutting back on your energy bill today.
heating
Although Spring is just around the corner there are still many parts of the country that continue to have cold temperatures. For
this reason, electricity bills soar due to the costs of heating your home. Here are some tips to help you stay warm while minimising heating costs:
~ Close doors to ensure you only heating the area needed
~ Set heating thermostats to the minimum you are comfortable with
~ Wear warmer clothing inside
~ Locate the heating system away from windows
~ Ensure windows are sealed properly, and put draught seals at the bottom of doors
fridges and freezers
Fridges and freezers are two of the worst offenders when it comes to wasting electricity, and replacing old inefficient
models should be a matter of priority. However in the meantime:
~ Turn-off any you aren’t using and consider getting rid of them
~ Check your fridge temperature is between 3°C and 5°C
~ Check your freezer temperature is between -15°C and -18°C
~ Clean external coils on the back of the fridge
~ Ensure there is enough space between the wall and the coils to allow air to flow freely
~ Store fridge and freezer away from heat sources
hot water
Hot water is estimated to use between 25-50% of annual household energy , and usage is highest in winter. So don’t
forget these hot water saving tips:
~ Change to a AAA rated shower head
~ Take shorter showers
~ Turn your hot water unit off if you’re going away
~ Wash clothes in cold water
~ Only run the dishwasher when it’s full
lighting
You don’t have to live in the dark to be energy efficient. The simplest way to cut back on energy from lighting is
to:
~ Switch off lights when not needed
~ Change any incandescent bulbs for fluorescent globes
laundry
Don’t forget your washing machine and dryer. Here are some tips to use less energy in the laundry.
~ Wait until you have a full load to do a wash
~ Take advantage of energy saving features like quick wash
~ Clean the lint filter on the dryer after each use
~ Dry clothes on the clothesline whenever possible instead of using the dryer
With energy rates rising across the country, conserving energy is a cheaper, greener option. By using the simple tips above, cutting back on energy
doesn’t have to mean a negative impact on your lifestyle.