Australian Summer’s are known for their heat and humidity and it is the time when all the family is home for the holiday season, so it is also the time when our energy costs go up! Here are our best tips for helping reduce your energy use this summer:
1. Have your air conditioners serviced
Having a refrigerator mechanic regularly clean and service your air conditioning units will not only make them more hygienic, but help it to run more efficiently.
2. Escape the heat and cook outdoors!
In summer our days are longer, so having a outdoor barbecue at the end of the day will help reduce your energy costs by not heating up your kitchen and home with oven and stove use, and keeping the family outdoors means there is no need for all of those lights to be on inside the house!
3. Replace your outdoor lighting
Sometimes those lovely summer evening barbecues go on into the night. Installing some solar outdoor lighting can help keep the costs down of having those large outdoor lights on.
4. Ditch the dryer!
The hot summer breezes will dry the laundry on the clothesline in no time, so there is no need to use the expensive to run dryer!
5. Upgrade your hot water system
Upgrading to a solar hot water system will benefit your family all year round by reducing the energy costs of your current hot water system.
6. Use solar party lighting
It is the party season, why not make that dinner gathering a barbecue and add some seasonal fun and ambience with solar party string lighting.
7. Try a fan
Fans are surprisingly efficient at cooling. Try a fan before you switch on that energy hungry air conditioner.
8. Use a timer for your pool maintenance
Installing a timer on your pool filter and machinery so it is only running in off peak power times will help reduce overall energy costs.
9. Swap your light bulbs
Swapping out light bulbs in your home for the energy efficient LED type will help reduce running costs and they also don’t produce as much heat as a conventional light bulb, which will assist in reducing cooling costs in summer.
10. Invest in efficient window coverings & draught blockers
Having efficient window coverings and draught blockers will help keep in the cool air produced by your air conditioner, and it won’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool.
11. Do the laundry with cold water
This is a tip that isn’t just for summer! According to the Victorian Government Energy Saver website, the average Australian home can save about $115 a year. Now is the time to change to cold water washing!
12. Check your appliance temperature settings
Fridges should be set at 4°C, and freezers at -18°C while ensuring there is space for air to circulate around the items in them so they cool evenly and run efficiently. Air conditioners are most economical and most energy efficient when set at 25°C in summer.
13. Finally - GET SOLAR ENERGY!!!