Money
5 unusual energy-saving tips to help you slash your bills
Every little bit counts when it comes to reducing your energy bills – are these more left-of-centre strategies on your radar?
By Sankar Sivarajah
As temperatures drop over the winter period and the cost of energy rises across the UK and Europe, how to spend less money on gas and electricity is on everyone’s minds.
How does your energy usage compare to the average? Energy consumption varies from state to state. The Australian Energy Regulator reports that an average 4 person household in Sydney consumes 1,828 (kWh) of electricity per quarter; 1,921 (kWh) of electricity per quarter in Brisbane; 1,780 (kWh) of electricity per quarter in Adelaide; and 1,451 (kWh) of electricity per quarter in Melbourne – the lowest usage reported.
The highest usage is in Hobart with 2,889 (kWh) of electricity per quarter, with Canberra not far behind with 2,538 (kWh) of electricity per quarter. Note that the NT and WA aren’t part of the National Electricity Market (NEM) and don’t report their figures in the same way, hence we haven’t included them here.
You can find further comparisons by household size here.
And find more ways to save energy around the home here.
With the rising cost of living, even the smallest tweaks and changes will help you save money. And by following these somewhat unusual energy-saving tips, you will not only cut costs but will also help to conserve resources for future generations.
1. Vacuum your fridge
Keeping your fridge clean and organised can help save energy in two ways. First, by cleaning the coils, you can keep your fridge running more efficiently, which will reduce the amount of energy it uses.
Second, while fridges work more efficiently when full, it’s important not to overcrowd them, as enabling cool air to circulate will keep the temperature at an optimal level. This will prevent the cooling system from having to work harder to keep the food cold, thus saving energy.
2. Get more from your kettle
Removing limescale from your kettle can also help save energy as limescale can cause the kettle to take longer to heat up, using more energy. But be aware that if your appliances are getting on in age, it may be better to replace them with more energy-efficient upgrades which can save even more money in the long run.
You can compare the energy efficiency of your everyday appliances here.
Using a thermos flask for any leftover kettle water is an excellent money-saving tip. Not only does it mean that any excess water you’ve just boiled doesn’t go to waste, it also means you’ve got boiling water when you need it without having to reboil the kettle again.
3. Heat or cool one room efficiently
Heating or cooling only specific areas of your home can be beneficial in many ways. Limiting the rooms that need to be heated, perhaps by using a smart thermostat with multiple zone setting, can help you avoid wasting energy to heat the entire house.
By heating only the areas you need, you are also putting less strain on your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system. This can help to reduce the wear and tear on your system and help it last longer. And limiting the amount of air that needs to be heated reduces the amount of dust and other contaminants.
4. Consider going off-peak
Some energy suppliers offer cheaper tariffs if you run your appliances during off-peak times when fewer people are demanding energy supplies – and this can save you money.
Your washing machine, dishwasher and dryer are often the highest energy using appliances. Avoiding using them during your supplier’s set peak times will result in lower electricity costs if you have an off-peak tariff. It will also reduce strain on the electricity grid and cut the need for additional energy production at peak times, which can reduce emissions from power plants.
5. Unplug devices, close doors and do the washing up
Focusing on your own behaviour matters the most when it comes to energy conservation. Make sure to put on layers of clothes so that you can be comfortable without having to crank up the heating.
Also be more conscious of turning off unwanted lights, closing the doors when leaving a room to conserve the heat or cool and unplugging devices that are not being used.
It’s also more energy (and cost) efficient to wash small loads of dirty dishes by hand in a small amount of water, rather than running a dishwasher half empty. Use pan lids when cooking to reduce the amount of energy used.
These are all small but positive actions that can reduce wasteful energy use, save money and help conserve the environment.
Sankar Sivarajah, Professor of Technology Management and Circular Economy, Kingston University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Feature image: iStock/andresr
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