Energy Efficiency Tips and Tricks
An energy efficient home will save you money on your electricity and gas bills, as well as reducing your carbon footprint. Increasing your energy efficiency can be as simple as replacing your light bulbs and making sure your fridge is working properly, but there are more ways to make sure you are using as little energy as possible.
Buy appliances with good ratings for energy efficiency
The familiar energy-star rating system is a system designed to help you consumers pick an energy efficient appliance. Broadly speaking, the more stars the more energy efficient – up to a maximum of five. There are some so-called super efficient appliances that may be given ratings out of ten but these are relatively rare and they will gradually fall away as the ratings system is regraded periodically. Picking a more energy efficient model is will not only save you money by using less energy, it will also cut down on greenhouse gases for the same reason.
Small steps can make a big difference
Making your home or office more energy efficient can begin immediately and at low cost. Replacing older incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient CLF’s bulbs and installing a low-flow showerhead are excellent ways to start. Ensure that your fridge, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher are in good condition and not in need of maintenance, especially seals and hoses that might leak. Installing motion sensors for outdoor lights rather than keeping them on all night and switch off lights if you are not using them. These small actions add up to big energy savings.
Consult an energy efficiency professional
Expert consultants will identify areas in your home or business where inefficiencies can be found. Something as simple as professionally installing insulation on hot water pipes and air conditioning ducts or using timers to control systems like hot water heaters will increase your energy efficiency markedly. Efficiency consultants are even more valuable to large businesses and institutions where the economy of scale means small changes can lead to significant energy savings.
Alternative Energy Sources
Finally, if you are concerned about becoming more energy efficient consider exploring alternative energy sources. Installing a solar powered hot-water heater will reduce the carbon footprint of your home and reduce your costs by saving you on your gas and electricity bill. A more complex solar panel installation may generate enough power to feed back into the electricity grid and turn you into an energy producer.
Take advantage of government rebates and programs.
Most state and territory governments offer rebates for installing clean energy technology, such as solar panels or solar hot water heaters. Eligible homeowners can take advantage of these plans and have part of the cost of installing more energy effective technologies met by the government. If you intend to take part in such a scheme, please make sure to check all the details and your own eligibility carefully before making any large purchases.