Many people are quick to complain about how high their energy bills are, but they fail to take any real action to minimise the expenses.
Inside the home, lighting, electrical appliances, hot water, heating and cooling dominate energy consumption within their property.
Improving consumption habits will make a difference, however leveraging energy efficient technology will allow people to make greater energy savings with very little effort.
Here are a few ways improvements can be made to the home.
Roofing
A roof that is a lighter colour will reflect more light and heat, which keeps the home cooler.
According to Steve King, Senior lecturer of architecture at the University of New South Wales, this can potentially cut down air conditioning usage and costs by 1/3rd.
Glass on windows and doors.
Many homes tend to have the wrong kind of glazing for the climate in their area.
For example, homes in warm climates that have large double glazed windows may find that their property gains too much heat, thus forcing people to use air cooling systems more.
Alternatively, properties located in areas with a cooler climate tend may be losing considerable heat due to single glazing.
Upgrade to energy efficient lighting.
People can reduce their lighting energy consumption by fitting their property with LED light bulbs.
LED technology is great because it allows people to continue with their lifestyle, while drawing less energy to illuminate an area.
The bulbs are more expensive than incandescent, or fluorecent fittings, but they last much longer and provide better lighting.
Savewise, who are specialists in residential and commercial LED lights can help secure government subsidies for those people that are interested in upgrading their existing property to use energy efficient lighting.
Air conditioners
Air conditioners are an essential appliance that will make a property feel more comfortable.
It’s important to invest in an air conditioner that is energy efficient because it will consume less energy and incur a lower running cost.
Heating
People can provide additional insulation to their property to keep the heat from escaping.
Additionally, investing in heating through reverse cycle inverter air conditioning can be a cost efficient way to increase your room temperature without incurring a high energy consumption cost.
Refrigerators.
Refrigerators run 24h a day in the home and tend to consume a lot of energy.
To minimise the energy consumption costs, look out for appliances that carry the energy star logo and any energy guides that will advise you on the running costs of the fridge.
Another tip when purchasing energy efficient refrigerators is that a top mount refrigerator uses 15% less energy than a side by side refrigerator.
Dishwashers.
Investing in an eco-efficient dishwasher will help to save water and electricity.
Look out for dishwashers that have a high energy star rating and also keep in mind that you should run the dishwasher overnight to take advantage of the ‘off peak energy tariffs’, or if you have solar panels when the sun is shining.
These are some simple ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your property and it should reduce the overall energy consumption, which will save you money over the long run.
Review the appliances that are being used in your property and see where you can make an upgrade today!
I was walking through the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park last week and my eye was drawn to this house. Nothing really exceptional about it . . . . apart from the fact that it looks to me rather like a drawing a small child might do of their house!
