Since the pandemic, electric bills have increased significantly. We spend more time at home. If your utility charges you more per unit, the more energy you use, that’s a double whammy.
According to the Consumer Pulse Report’s recent survey, Australian homeowners spend $335 on average per quarter for energy and $234 on gas.
Even though bills used to be manageable, they’re still high, and more than a quarter of homeowners feel that they’re not getting the best deal. Even if you only save a few dollars per year, it is worth making some adjustments to your energy usage, like a Solar Buyback Plan.
Why your electric bill is going up
Even if your goal isn’t to have a home that uses zero energy (yet), you can still save money by recognizing the reasons and taking action.
Do not switch off home appliances.
Disabling standby energy is not the same thing as turning off the light. Instead, you can save money by unplugging and switching off appliances.
Berkeley Lab researchers estimate that standby power accounts for 10% of your home’s total energy consumption. This is shocking because you’re not even using the electricity.
Outdated Appliances & Equipment
It is one thing for appliances and equipment to use energy when they are plugged in but not being used. They use more energy once they are worn out than modern items.
You can rent a steam boiler if you want to replace your energy-hungry hot water system. If you’re going to keep the system, replace it with a mobile boiler, which will at least ensure energy efficiency.
It is best to search for Energy Star appliances and steam boiler rental companies that offer other recognized energy labels.
Overcharging Devices
You should charge your mobile device but not leave it plugged in for the entire day or night. It usually takes 2-3 hours to fully charge your mobile devices. Overcharging can lead to an unnecessarily high electric bill.
Here are some ways to reduce your bills, both today and in the future.
How to Get the Right Heating and Cooling
Reduced energy consumption and lower power bills go hand-in-hand. It is important to be aware of the energy you use to heat or cool your home, which is by far the largest.
Inefficiently designed homes could easily use 90% more energy than they need to heat and cool their homes. About 30% of energy consumption is attributed to hot water.
You can reduce your energy consumption by using fans during summer. It is still possible to be more careful when selecting the temperature or fan mode for an air conditioner.
Modern reserve ACs can be a cost-effective and efficient way to heat your house during the winter. Upgrades could even reduce your winter electric bill by 40%.
Another simple solution that can make a significant difference is to close curtains or blinds on hot days. This is especially important for homes facing west.
Insulate and Draught-Proof Your Home
Other important basics include draught-proofing and insulation that will keep your home warm in the winter and cool during the summer.
Renters are not allowed to insulate their buildings, so homeowners have the highest priority. It is important to ensure that your house has adequate ceiling insulation, especially if you have dark roofs.
It is important to seal off drafts in order to keep warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. This might seem counterintuitive in the summer, but it’s important to understand that there is a difference between a house with proper ventilation and one that leaks (cooler air emitted by fans or AC).
Upgrade or Ditch the Old Appliances
Old appliances are inefficient and have a greater impact on electricity consumption. This factor is important to consider when deciding whether to upgrade your appliances and use them differently or to get rid of the older ones.
It’s important to note that new appliances also are not all created equal. When it comes time to upgrade, you should take a long-term perspective and evaluate the energy efficiency by assessing the star rating and energy consumption score.
You can save $100 to $200 on less expensive but inefficient models. However, they use more energy.
Install Central Heating Controls
Installing a room programmer or thermostat and using it properly can save an average household up to $100. It will also cut your CO2 emissions from your home by 320kg per year.
- You should be able to:
- You can set the hot water heating system to come on and go off at your convenience.
- Only heat the living part of your house
- You can set different temperatures in different parts of your house
- Maintain a comfortable temperature in your home without wasting energy or heat.
It’s not easy to reduce energy consumption in your home, but it isn’t impossible. You can reduce pollution, save money, and increase energy security by replacing appliances or adopting a more eco-friendly attitude.