How do you save electricity?

Much has been written and said about how we can install this and that to make our homes more energy efficient in order to lower our energy bills. Sometimes, however, we tend to rely too much on these installations that we often forget that reducing our electricity bill can also be done in a number of much easier ways. Here are 10 very simple ways to reduce your electricity bill.

1. Switch to more energy efficient CFLs or LED lights

This is the least expensive yet one of the most effective ways to save electricity at home. CFLs, or compact fluorescent lamps, use 75% less power than your typical incandescent bulb. Best of all, they last a whole lot longer too. Even more economical are LED lights, which are way more efficient and longer lasting than CFLs.

2. Don’t overcharge your phones

Millions of dollars in electricity are wasted every year by people who charge their cell phone batteries more than they need to. On top of this, overcharging your phones can shorten the lifespan of your battery, and even become a fire risk when it overheats.

3. Turn off lights that are not in use

This is a common problem in houses that have a number of bedrooms, and lots of kids. Then again, even us adults sometimes forget to turn off lights that are not in use when we leave a room. To save electricity, we all should make it a habit to walk through the house and turn off lights that are not in use, especially before we go out of the house.

4. Spend less time in the shower

We know those extra minutes under the hot shower is absolutely delightful, but they could cost you much more than you expect. If we take the average electricity rates in Australia into consideration, every extra minute you spend in the shower could mean an extra $20 a year in power costs. You can only imagine how huge that bill is going to get if your stay longer in the shower on a daily basis. Spend less time in the shower if you’re serious about finding ways to reduce your electricity bill.

5. Don’t leave the TV on standby

Every year, Australian households spend close to a billion dollars powering the TV and other devices at home in “standby” mode. Even when they are in standby mode, they still draw about 20% or more of normal electricity use, which eventually accumulates over time. Something as simple as unplugging the TV when not in use could save Australian households a lot of money on electric bills. That goes for other electronic devices as well.

6. Use fans for cooling

While air conditioners are definitely the best way to keep cool at home, it also happens to be the most costly way of doing so. Fans, on the other hand, achieve practically the same thing at a fraction of the cost. So instead of having your air conditioner running full blast on a daily basis, use desk fans, stand fans or ceiling fans instead. To make the house even cooler, make sure that your windows are open to let fresh air in.

7. Give your appliances a full load

Your refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer and dishwasher take a lot of power to run. Since they already do that when in use, maximise that power use by making them do the most work for you. Simply put, fill these appliances, but don’t overload them. The refrigerator and freezer should be well-stocked and the washing machine and the dishwasher should only be used when you have enough to do a full load.

8. Replace inefficient appliances even when they’re still working

Your old water heater or refrigerator may still be working, but they could cost you more in power consumption than you think. When your budget allows it, buy newer models which are usually designed to be more energy efficient.

9. Don’t overheat or overcool your home

If you have to use your HVAC system, always set it at a level that is neither too high nor too low. Set the thermostat at the maximum or minimum possible to save energy while keeping you comfortable.

10. Educate your entire household

All of the tips above are next to useless if you’re the only one in the family who does them. Make sure that everyone who lives under your roof will make it a habit to unplug appliances, turn off lights that are not in use and using only fans to keep cool for as often as possible, among other things.

Should you need help in finding a good local electrician to assist you with any of these, you can contact one of the listed local electricians on this website. Our network comprises of handpicked and recommended local electricians that have been interviewed and reference checked by our Accreditation team for your peace of mind.  Simply select your area to meet some of the great local electricians that made our pick as a Tradebusters Premium 3 Connection.

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