How you can make your home more energy efficient

There are many things the everyday household can start to do to make their home more energy-efficient and in turn, begin to save money on your electricity bill. A lot of people think that become more energy-efficient requires a significant outlay of cash, while some things like solar panels can be expensive. There are many cheap ways to lower your energy consumption, that either you or your local electrician can provide.

• Make the switch to led lighting

While LED light bulbs last far longer than other bulbs meaning they need to be replaced less often, the main reason we love them is that they are the most energy-efficient way of lighting. Incandescent bulbs lose up to 80% of their energy as heat! With an LED bulb, only 10-20% of their energy is turned into heat, meaning that 80-90% of their energy is turned into light. As your old light bulbs blow, you replace them one by one with LED bulbs, meaning the initial outlay is very minimal.

• Turn the heater down or AC up

 Adjusting the thermostat on your heat or air conditioner just by a few degrees can make a big difference in your long term energy consumption. Start by adjusting the thermostat by 1 degree each day until you reach a temperature that you are happy with. By merely wearing an extra layer or jumper while you are at home can save you money.

• Invest in insulation

Don’t like the idea of the extra jumper? The best way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature without using your heater is to invest in proper insulation. Quality insulation will help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Helping to reduce your energy bills all year round.

• Switch appliances off at the wall

If you’re looking for a straightforward way to save on your power bill, here, it is: switch off at the socket. Leaving devices or appliances on standby mode means that you’re paying for phantom load for the convenience of a quick start-up. By getting to a routine of switching things off at the socket is an easy way to make your home more energy-efficient.

• Solar Power

Although not the cheapest way, solar energy is an easy way to lower your energy consumption. By installing solar panels onto the roof of your home, you can drastically reduce your power bills. Most states in Australia also have a solar rebate scheme in place so you can at least get some money back for installing them.

• Insulate your windows

Don’t let all of the excellent work you did by insulating the walls, ceiling and floors of your home go to waste. Insulate your windows as well to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. One way to improve this by installing double glazed windows. But if you don’t have the necessary money to outlay on expensive windows, you can also reduce the problem by fitting quality curtains and blinds.