Energy Saving Tips to Lower Your Power Bills

There are many different things you can do to lower your energy usage, and therefore reduce your power bills. Here are nine to get you started:

1. Reduce your shower time - hot water is a significant energy user, so take shorter showers to reduce the time it takes your cylinder to fill and heat again. Or even better, switch to solar water heating. 
2. Seal your doors and windows - heat escapes through the tiniest of gaps. Replace any missing weather strips and use sealing compounds where needed. Draught stops such as old towels or mats by closed doors are great ways to reduce heat loss too. Closing the curtains early evening when the temperature outside drops also helps to keep the warmer air inside.
3. Wash only full loads - turn the dishwasher and washing machine on only when they are full. Use a cold water wash when possible, and try to dry as much laundry outside, not indoors or in a dryer.
4. Use LED lightbulbs - they can be expensive to buy, but LEG lightbulbs have a longer lifespan and use less energy, reducing power bills.
5. Turn it off - when you are not using an appliance or light, turn it off. This includes turning lights off when not in the room. Some appliances have in-built timers you can set to help switch them off after a period.
6. Go solar - even on cold and wet days, the sun is still here! Solar panels will capture the free sunlight and convert it into energy you can use within your home. If you choose to install solar batteries, you can store this for use at a later time, perhaps for a heater in the evening. We can even do a free assessment and quote to install solar at your home. 
7. Trim back trees and bushes, open curtains - make the most of the sunlight by trimming branches and bushes that are shading your home. Open curtains in the morning to allow sunlight to enter and passively warm rooms.
8. Use a heat pump - heat pumps are one of the most effective forms of heating. Energy efficient, heat pumps offer the cheapest kW/h heating costs around. Use its thermostat to keep the indoor optimum temperature between 18-21 degrees Celsius. If you don't yet have a heat pump, get in touch with us to arrange a free no obligation quote. 
9. Keep your home dry - use extractor fans when cooking or showering, open windows on fine days to air your home and remove any excess moisture from windows by wiping them dry. A dehumidifier is also an excellent way to remove excess moisture within your home. A drier home is a warmer home, and costs less to heat.

Take a read of our article to learn more about the benefits of using solar energy to generate your own power, or get in touch with Tony to have a chat today.