You can reduce the amount you spend on your electricity bill and your environmental impact with these easy energy saving tips. Confused by technical terms? Find out more at the heat pump glossary.
Turn your Lights Down Low
Did you know that 20-30% of your monthly energy bill goes to lighting? You can reduce your energy consumption by switching to LEDs which only use 20-25% of the energy that incandescent bulbs use and last twenty-five times longer. You may find replacing all your lights at once expensive, but even switching out the five most used lights in your home can save you $75 a year.
Another way to save is by ditching all those pot light for task lighting. A couple of strategically-placed table lamps can help to only light the areas you need illuminated. Using lamps will reduce your overall energy usage and placing them in the corner of lightly colored rooms will help to maximize their lumen output.
Mind the Gap
You can slash your energy bill by 10-20% when caulking the gaps in your building envelope. Inspect your home for gaps around electrical and plumbing openings, lights and where the foundation meets the floor.
Check the rubber seal around your doors and windows for cracks and replace if necessary.
A draft snake will ensure your warm indoor air doesn’t escape under the door. Make your own using the tutorial here.
Up your Cooling Game
Have your AC serviced before the warmer weather sets in Changing your filters according to manufacturer’s instructions can save 5-15% on your electricity bill. About 20-30% of conditioned air is lost through leaky ductwork. Inspect your ducting and wrap leaks with foil tape, mastic or seal with caulk.
Do a Little Maintenance
Vacuum the coils behind your fridge once a year so that it runs more efficiently.
Sediment builds up in your water heater and needs to be drained. Get a step-by-step guide here so you can do this at least once a year.
Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss. Wrapping your pipes will do the same and prevent burst pipes too.
Buy a Central Heating Pump
A central heat pump can help you to enjoy energy savings of 30-40% with your current usage habits. Heat pumps use warmth from the air or ground to help heat your home. Because they aren’t creating heat, you save money. A central air pump will heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer months. Visit Heating and Plumbing World to learn more.
Consider installing a smart thermostat which will turn down the heat when you aren’t home or when you’re sleeping.
Save 13-14% when utilizing blinds and 15-17% with curtains as window coverings prevent heat loss at night. Open them in the daytime to allow sunshine in.
Switch the rotation of your ceiling fan so it’s moving in a clockwise direction for cooler months and an anti-clockwise direction in the summer.
Use power bars with timers for appliances which don’t need to stay on. Appliances in standby mode account for 10-15% of your energy bill.
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