With the temperature finally starting to heat up, our minds turn to staying cool. Unfortunately, with higher temps and more cooling, energy bills also start to rise!
The cost of living and interest rates are making lots of homeowners feeling the squeeze. So being able to reduce your energy bills can reduce the financial stress on your family.
Here are 7 tips to beat to bring down your power bills these holidays:
Upgrade your insulation
Insulation is the most important factor when it comes to an energy efficient home. Thankfully, it’s also the most cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency and thus one that all homeowners should be investing in. A fully insulated home (floors, walls, ceilings) can be 50% more energy efficient than a home with no insulation.
Setup a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat means you can adjust the temperature settings to align with specific preferences throughout the day. A timer ensures the system doesn’t come on when needed, saving you energy. You can also monitor consumption and make adjustments accordingly. Also ensure the temperature isn’t set too low. People have a tendency to set an air conditioning unit too low when it’s hot, making the room cold instead of comfortable. Setting the temperature a couple of degrees higher can result in a 5% saving when it comes to energy consumption.
Get a quality air con unit
There are lots of brand and models of air con units out there. Choosing one with a high Energy Efficiency Rating has a number of benefits. Not only does it give you better temperature control, it results in lower energy bills, is better for the environment and the unit has a longer lifespan. We can assist with air conditioning installation in Brisbane as well as advice on unit selection.
Switch your lights to LED
LED Lighting is becoming more common as the industry continues to head towards this more energy efficient lighting option. LED stands for “light emitting diode” and has a low voltage operation for increased energy efficiency. There are also dimming capabilities, meaning you can use lower light, and thus less power, at your discretion. LED lights also have no heat or UV emissions.
Invest in solar panels and battery storage
With upfront savings and government rebates, investing in solar panels makes perfect sense. Panels have continued to come down more in price and are increasing efficient, to the point where you will essentially make your money back in 7 to 8 years. After this time, you are just saving money. Battery storage also gives you more control of usage, allowing you to save the power until you need it (even at night-time) which is better than simply selling excess solar back to the grid (which pays very little these days).
Switch off and unplug appliances
While it will only save a bit of money, every bit counts! Appliances still use energy when on standby – and can even account for more than 10% of your household electricity use! Switching off appliances (especially when you go away on holidays) is better for your bank balance, and for the environment! Unplugging them helps further, as appliances drain power even when switched off.
Caulk gaps & cracks
Caulk is a material used to seal air leaks through gaps or cracks. This is a particularly useful undertaking if you have an older building and reduces heat transfer and thus the need for excessive cooling. Applying it in dry weather with low humidity ensures it set properly and be most effective.
We hope you find these tips useful.
If you need help choosing an energy efficient air conditioning system that is most suitable to your space and needs, call JTB Electrical on (07) 3279 4009.
