If you’re recovering from price shock after a winter of high electricity bills, you may be interested in making some changes so next year you don’t have the same problem.
Here are some easy changes you can make to save on your electricity bill.
Clean and service your appliances
It may be surprising to know that cleaning your kitchen appliances can have a big impact on your electricity bill. Regularly defrost your fridge and give it a good clean, and clean your dishwasher filter. When your appliances are clogged with gunk and dirt they have to work harder, using more energy and costing you more money. Some of the key things to check are the seals on your fridge, freezer, and even your oven. Otherwise you’ll be greatly reducing the lifespan of your appliance and adding to your bill.
It’s also important to make sure you’re looking after these appliances. Get them serviced regularly so that they’ll be energy-efficient.
Dress for success
During the cooler months, wear appropriate clothing. Layer clothes, wear wool, and ensure your family does the same. This will mean you won’t need to have your heater up as high.
Close your curtains and shut the doors
Cooling and heating the entire house is expensive. Shut the doors if you’re not using an area and only heat rooms you’re spending lots of time in. Check that your blinds and curtains actually cover the windows and keep them closed at night and during the day if it’s hot. Get a ‘caterpillar’ for under the front door to stop draughts from leaking air in or out.
Check your bathroom habits
Water heaters use some of the most energy in houses. If you can, switch from electricity to gas since gas hot water systems are between 30 and 60 percent cheaper than electric systems.
While it can be tempting to linger under the shower (especially in cold weather), make a conscious effort to keep them under 5 minutes. Set your hot water to around 50ºC and consider adding an energy-saving showerhead. If you lose track of time when lathering, consider setting a timer so you’ll know when it’s time to get out. This is also great for kids who like to play in the shower and bath as you can tell them they only have until the timer goes off- making it a game.
Check your lighting
It’s a good idea to look at your lighting and replace your bulbs with LED lights and compact fluorescent bulbs. Down lights also use a lot of energy and, and choosing lighter coloured furniture also makes rooms brighter.
Use Insulation
Insulating your ceiling will make a huge difference to your electricity bills. If you’ve already got some installed, be sure to check if it has the right rating and is installed properly.
While it can be scary to get large power bills, there are many small things you can do to reduce that large number. Getting the whole family involved will make the process easier and more fun.
Sophia
