How you can cut energy costs around the home
At Ecosparx Electrical, our Northern Rivers electrical team is truly passionate about educating our customers and introducing them to new ideas and innovative technologies that can help them reduce their power consumption.
We want to inspire a greener future and help our customers save money on their electricity bills. Everything we do is fuelled by our goal of bringing eco-friendly and energy-efficient services to customers across the Northern Rivers, NSW.
This week, we’re looking at some easy switches you can start making in your home today to help reduce electricity usage.
Want to do even more? We’ve got ideas for that, too! Read on to explore some of the bigger changes you can make as well.
What are some ideas for lowering the costs of energy?
So, what are things you could do to reduce electricity consumption at home? Here are three things you can do right now in your home to reduce energy consumption.
1) Make the most of natural light
The easiest way to save energy is to make the most of the natural light coming through your windows! Throw open the curtains and reduce your reliance on artificial lighting during daytime hours.
It’s beneficial to rely on natural lighting where possible, particularly if you have older light globes in your home, which can emit both light and heat. This means that you might also be inadvertently raising the temperature inside your home.
2) Turn off appliances when not in use
Big-ticket appliances such as televisions are often referred to as vampire appliances in the industry. These are the kinds of devices that when plugged in, even when not in use, continue to draw a small amount of power.
On their own, their impact may be minor. But when you think about all the appliances in your home, day in, and day out, you can start to see the impact this could have on your yearly energy costs.
Some of the biggest culprits that you might consider switching off at the power point when not in use include:
Television
Computer
Electric toothbrush
Coffee machine
Microwave
3) Adjust your thermostat
Would you believe us if we told you that lowering your heating or increasing your aircon thermostat by even one degree can save up to 10% of your energy use?
Next time you put on the air conditioner, try adjusting it by just one degree and see how you feel. Over time, move it up one more degree. We can almost guarantee that by the time you’ve adjusted it even 3 or 4 degrees, you won’t even notice the difference.
The ideal, eco-friendly temperature to set your aircon is 25ºC while during cooler winters, try setting your thermostat to 18 or 19ºC - and add another jumper or blanket if you’re still feeling the chill.
More ways to make your home more energy efficient
Now that we’ve shared simple things you can do around your home right now to reduce energy usage, let’s look at some of the bigger changes you can consider making, too.
Our electricians are more than happy to share how you can make some truly impactful changes to the way you use energy in your home, lowering your consumption and easing your bills, too!
Make the switch to LED lighting
Making the switch to LED lighting is one of the best changes you can make to reduce energy consumption AND save money on your electricity bills. LED lights are hugely efficient, lasting up to 50 times longer than old incandescent bulbs!
Additionally, they do not emit any heat or UV and operate on a low voltage. All of this without compromising performance!
Install dimmer switches
Dimmer switches are a simple and cost-effective installation task that can help you manage the way you use lighting. Dim brighter lights to output less power, create a cosy and comfortable ambience, and extend the lifespan of your bulbs.
Invest in solar
Free power from the sun!
What better way to save electricity and reduce greenhouse emissions than by unleashing the power of the sun. Generate your own energy with a solar system tailored to meet your home, your budget, and you and your family’s unique lifestyle.
Speak to our off-grid electricians today to learn more about the solar design, installation, and maintenance process.
Book an energy audit
One of the best ways to identify weak spots and better understand how you use electricity is through an EcoSparx energy audit.
One of our skilled team members will attend your property, learn about your lifestyle, and conduct an audit that can help you make some impactful changes to the way you consume energy.
Install ceiling fans
Ceiling fans can sometimes be overlooked by homeowners looking for a cooling solution, but we think they are a fantastic accompaniment to air conditioning!
Ceiling fans are not designed to change the temperature in a room; rather, they are designed to circulate air around a room, creating instant relief and comfort. They are a great, cost-effective alternative when you don’t want to (or quite need to) power up your aircon.
What is the importance of conserving energy at home?
Reduced energy costs
Lower greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced air pollution
Better indoor air quality
Improved comfort in the home
Reduced risk of electrical fires
Additionally, eco-friendly and economical electrical fixtures, appliances, and fittings can improve the value of your home.
Want to learn more about making eco-friendly choices at home?
Our electricians in Ballina would love to visit you at home and conduct an energy audit.
During this inspection, we’ll learn about your lifestyle and help uncover short- and long-term solutions that encourage you to reduce usage and save money on your bills.
We’re hugely passionate about solar, too, so if you’d like to learn more about solutions for solar in Lismore, Ballina, or anywhere else across the Northern Rivers, get in touch with the EcoSparx team today! Give us a call on 0410 585 919 or contact us online.
