Top Tips For Cutting Your Energy Bills
Saving energy can be simple.
Some of our energy-saving suggestions can cost little or nothing, and will save you plenty. Other suggestions involve an up-front cost that will pay for itself over the life of your home.
As well as reducing energy consumption, many of our suggestions will make your home drier, healthier, and more comfortable.
No cost
- Turn off lights when you leave the room.
- Use cold water for laundry, and wash only full loads.
- Use sun and wind to dry your laundry.
- Repair leaky hot water taps.
- Close windows and curtains at sunset in the winter.
- When you buy a new appliance, ask for an energy efficient model (check its energy rating label, or check for models with an Energy Star).
- Exclude draughts with a stuffed snake under the door.
- Switch appliances off at the wall when you’re not using them - otherwise they could be guzzling standby energy.
- Check your hot water cylinder to see if it is set at 60 ºC (140 ºF).
- Use the microwave instead of the oven.
- Put an extra blanket on the bed instead of using an electric blanket.
Low additional cost
- Put energy efficient light bulbs in the light fittings you use the most - they last longer and can save you about $100 per bulb over their lifetime.
- Install flow restrictors on your taps and showerheads to cut your water heating bill.
- Fill gaps in your ceiling insulation.
- Fit weather-strips (for draughts and rain) on external doors.
- If your electric hot water cylinder is not A-Grade, install a cylinder wrap.
- Insulate hot water pipes - especially the metre nearest the hot water cylinder.
- Replace faulty seals on fridge-freezers and ovens.
- Block draughty air gaps around pipes and electrical cables with caulking.
- Use blinds and/or curtains to retain heat in winter and provide shade in summer.
- Install insulated skylights to maximise natural light and provide warmth.
Worthwhile investment
- Install thermal curtains.
- Insulate walls and ceiling to well above Building Code requirements.
- Insulate under timber floors.
- Install awnings or shades over windows which overheat your home in the summer.
- Convert to solar hot water heating.
- Install double or secondary glazing on windows.
