6 Energy-saving tips for your home
In your home, you have the power to save money and energy.
Follow these tips to save energy:
- Geysers account for 39% of household electricity use on average. Set your geyser to 60°C and use a geyser blanket (which is an additional layer of insulation wrapped around your geyser) to keep water hotter for longer. When you’re not at home, switch off your geyser to save energy when it’s not in use.
- You’ll save energy by using less water. Try bathing instead of showering or if you prefer to shower, limit your shower time to 7 minutes and use an energy-saving showerhead. This will also help you to minimise use of precious water resources.
- Use energy saving light bulbs such as LEDs or CFLs. They use 75% to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Just be aware that some of these energy saving bulbs, specifically CFLs, contain small amounts of harmful chemicals and must be disposed of safely. Drop them into the “drop-off points” at your nearest store.
- Switch off plug points not in use. Appliances such as computers, TVs and media players use up to 50% of electricity even when they’re in standby mode. You may also want to invest in energy-saving plugs.
- The changing seasons will also affect your energy consumption. In summer, use a fan rather than an air conditioner. And in winter, get out those winter woollies and wear warmer clothes or use blankets when the weather starts to cool.
- Most people perform better at something when they’re being monitored, so monitor the electricity consumption of your home on a month-to-month basis. It is surprisingly exciting to see how your energy saving efforts translate into monetary savings.