It’s no secret that the cost of living is hitting families and individuals hard, and one of the best ways to save money on your bills is to try to make your home as energy efficient as possible. Making your home more energy efficient is a smart choice for homeowners and renters alike in Australia.
Not only does making energy efficient changes reduce the cost of your bills, it also minimises your carbon footprint and environmental impact.
If you’ve been wanting to try to make your home more energy efficient but you’re not sure where to start, these are our tips and tricks from Oz Homes Insulation.
What does it mean to be energy efficient and why does it matter ?
Energy efficiency is crucial for Australians looking to cut down on their energy costs and save some of their hard earned. You can simply implement a few changes and upgrades to significantly enhance the efficiency of your home.
If you’re looking for simple and practical solutions to make your home more energy efficient, we can help. From appliances to insulation and everything in between this is our guide to becoming more energy efficient and saving money in the long run.
1. Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances
One of the quickest and simplest ways to reduce energy consumption in your home is to switch to more energy efficient appliances. Almost all modern appliances like washing machines, air conditioners and fridges are designed to use less energy whilst still delivering the same performance.
If you’re shopping for new appliances, look for the Energy Star label which shows that your chosen appliances meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set out by the Australian government. The better the Energy Star rating the more energy efficient your home and appliances will be.
2. Insulate Your Home
Insulation plays a crucial role in ensuring the inside temperature of your home is comfortable whilst reducing the amount of heating and cooling you have to do. At Oz Homes Insulation, we have a range of insulation solutions tailored to you so that you can keep your home comfortable no matter the season.
Insulate your walls, roof and floors to prevent heat loss in winter and keep your house cool in summer lowering the amount you will have to have your heater or air con on and also saving you money on bills!
3. Check Your Thermostat
It might be a bit of a hidden secret but you can actually optimise your thermostat for energy savings without sacrificing your comfort. Get a programmable thermostat that learns your heating and cooling preferences and can auto switch off when your optimal temperature is reached.
Also consider keeping your thermostat temperature lower in the winter and higher in the summer than usual when you’re away or asleep so that you can reap the rewards of having heating and cooling whilst also saving money on energy costs.
4. Use LEDs
Lighting is a huge factor when it comes to overall household energy consumption and switching your globes to LED can drastically reduce your energy usage and save you money come bill time. LED bulbs are more energy-efficient and last longer making them a better option than the traditional incandescent globes you see in most houses.
You might also want to try to limit the amount you have lights on and try to use natural light in your home wherever possible.
5. Seal Any Gaps
This one comes back to proper insulation but you want to make sure your house stays warm in winter and cool in summer. You’ll need to seal any gaps or cracks in windows, doors and walls. Properly sealing these openings reduces drafts and means you spend less time heating or cooling your home using electricity.
Check for problem areas in your home and then use caulking to seal the gaps, improve your comfort and make your home more energy efficient.
6. Install Energy Efficient Windows
This one might not even be something you’ve ever heard of before but energy efficient windows are designed to reduce heat transfer and improve insulation in your home. There are a few options when it comes to energy efficient windows, these include double-glazed windows or low-emissivity windows..
By installing energy efficient windows you can minimise your heating and cooling costs whilst also keeping your home at the optimal temperature. You may want to consult with a professional to see if these windows would be effective in improving the energy efficiency of your home.
7. Consider Solar Panels
Solar panels are a great way to make your home more energy efficient. Whilst they’re an expensive investment initially, you do get your return back when it comes to the amount you save on energy bills.
Solar panels help to lower the amount you spend on your bills and they’re a great way for long-term homeowners to use renewable energy in their home long-term.
8. Be Mindful
This might seem like a no-brainer but ensure that you are being mindful when you’re using electricity in your home. Simple changes can sometimes make the biggest difference. Get into the habit of turning out light and appliances when you aren’t using them and disconnect electronics that draw standby power.
You could even experiment with monitoring tools that track your energy consumption and provide you with insights into areas where you can make further improvements.
9. Enjoy Your Energy Efficient Home!
When you implement these changes, you can start to reap the rewards of a more energy efficient home. Enjoy lower energy bills and more cash in your pocket when you switch to more energy efficient solutions in your home.
When you embrace these practices you don’t just get to save extra coins, you also get to know that you are contributing to a more environmentally conscious world.
Simple changes often make the biggest difference and making some small adjustments can help you to see big savings in the long run.
