Hey Everyone! Inflation is up, and with it, so is the cost of living – so most households are making every dollar stretch a little further. And while the discounts might be obvious when you swap one brand of cheese for another, there are even bigger savings to be made, right at home. With a house that’s more efficient to heat and cool, you’ll shrink your energy bill and your environmental impact along with it.
- Install a smart meter What uses the most energy in your home? How much would you save by switching to LEDs or turning appliances off at the wall? You can answer those questions with a smart meter, which lets you track, in 30-min increments, how much energy you’re using. Seeing that data will let you focus on getting the biggest wins and can be motivating too! To get a smart meter installed, start by talking to your energy retailer.
- Insulate top to bottom Insulation is a game changer – it keeps the warmth and cool in. For most homes, insulating can be relatively fast and cheap – well-fitting bats in your roof and a moisture barrier makes a significant difference. You’ll use your heater less in winter and will find your home stays cooler as the weather heats up. That adds up to more comfortable, affordable living and less environmental impact. Remember that insulation is a requirement under the Healthy Homes initiative, so get your home ready for your next stage in life for your next project.
- Insulate side to side Hang thermal-backed curtains and blinds. Those beautiful big windows could be stealing your energy – you lose a lot of heat through glass, even if your windows are double-glazed. Invest in floor-to-ceiling thermal curtains or blinds to trap warm air in and check for any loose latches or warped frames that can create drafty gaps. You can get these very cheap when on special.
- Swap in energy-efficient appliances You could be surprised at how energy-hungry that old dryer and fridge can be. Swap it out for 5 star rated appliances and you’ll see those energy savings creep up without having to do a thing. As an extra environmental bonus, your new appliances will save on water and probably work better too – no need to run dirty plates through the dishwasher twice.
- Hot water thermostat You may find your hot water system is running way too hot and you are just wasting that heat by mixing more cold water. Run your hot water at the hottest it can go and see if it is too high! You can save serious $$ by adjusting your thermostat down a little
- Light up with LEDs The simplest way to reduce energy use is to swap your old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs. These are super cheap to buy now and easy to install. LED can use up to 85% less power than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and can last 15 times longer too!
Whether you go for the big upgrades or start small, getting your home more efficient will keep money in the bank and help you live more sustainably. Have a great week everyone!