Keeping your home energy EFFICIENT

Here are a few easy tweaks and upgrades to help avoid energy wastage and save on your energy bills

 Ever wondered how much your energy bill should be? 

The amount is dependent on many factors including the number of people at home, time spent in your home, the features, size – the list goes on.

However, on average, if you’re a family of four living in a 3-bedroom home (or a rough equivalent), paying $500 or under per quarter is extremely reasonable.  

If you’re paying more than $500 per quarter, it’s worth reviewing your usage as there’s potential for improvement.

If you’re paying more than $1,000 per quarter, there’s substantial room for improvement and a high chance you’re paying for electricity you’re not even using.  

Heating and Cooling

Running air conditioning – for cool or hot air – for more than 6 hours per day can have a significant impact on your energy bill.

Same goes for electric blankets, underfloor heating and electric heaters. They all require a substantial amount of energy to run and are often left on for long periods of time, sometimes all night, while draining energy. 

Lighting

While individual lights themselves are not the biggest use of energy, they’re one of the most common daily ways you’re using (and possibly wasting) energy in your home. The cumulative effect of all your lights, particularly leaving lots of lights on, can quickly add up.

Appliances and Electronics

Do you turn off your appliances like your toaster, kettle or phone charger when they’re not in use? Most people don’t realise that standby mode is still using energy – and costing you. Families waste over $100 each year on energy they’re not even using.

Not updating your appliances is another potential energy-waster. Older appliances, like your TV, washing machine, and dishwasher are lower in energy efficiency, and use more electricity than newer models by comparison.

Source: Clipsal