Molly Ayala
Saving electricity at home is an effective way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. There are many simple actions you can take to reduce your energy usage, such as turning off lights and appliances when not in use, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and improving insulation and air sealing. Energy monitors and audits can help identify areas where you can save energy, and smart power strips and thermostats can automatically reduce power consumption. With the right tools and habits, you can make a positive impact on the environment and your wallet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turn off appliances when not in use | Television, computer, video game consoles, cable boxes, and digital video recorders |
| Use smart power strips | Reduces "phantom loads" by shutting off power to electronics when they're not in use |
| Use smart thermostats | Automatically turns off or reduces heating and cooling when you're asleep or away |
| Use energy-efficient light bulbs | Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use 25-80% less electricity and last 3-25 times longer than traditional bulbs |
| Insulation | Attic, under floors, around hot water heater and pipes, and in crawl spaces |
| Seal air leaks | Use caulk to seal air leaks between stationary objects like walls and window frames |
| Energy-efficient appliances | Look for the ENERGY STAR label |
| Set water heater temperature | No more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding and conserve energy |
| Avoid tumble dryers | Save up to £50 a year |
| Use a washing machine on a 30-degree cycle | Reduces energy consumption |
| Use a dishwasher only when it's full | Reduces water consumption |
| Use a microwave to reheat food | More energy-efficient than an oven |
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What You'll Learn
Use smart power strips to cut 'phantom loads'
Traditional power strips are a convenient way to expand the number of electrical outlets in your home. However, they can also encourage you to leave electronics plugged in at all times, even when they are not in use. Many devices, such as printers, DVD players, computers, and TVs, continue to draw power even when switched off, a phenomenon known as "phantom loads", "phantom power drain", or "vampire power". This can cost you money, waste electricity, and increase your carbon output.
Smart power strips, also known as advanced power strips, are an effective solution to this problem. They are equipped with electrical outlets and circuitry that monitors and controls power consumption. When a device plugged into a smart power strip enters standby mode, the circuitry detects the change in power consumption and automatically cuts the power to that outlet, while keeping the rest of the outlets in use turned on. This ensures that power is only supplied to devices that are actively being used.
Smart power strips offer flexibility in how you manage your power outlets. They can be programmed to turn off appliances at a specific time, after a period of inactivity, through remote switches, or based on the status of a "master" device. For example, if your TV is plugged into the "master" outlet and is turned off, the smart power strip will automatically cut power to other peripheral devices such as DVD players and speakers. Additionally, some smart power strips have motion detection capabilities, allowing them to activate or deactivate outlets based on whether a room is occupied.
By using smart power strips, you can significantly reduce phantom loads and lower your electricity consumption. This not only leads to cost savings on your energy bills but also contributes to lowering your carbon emissions, making your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
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Install a smart thermostat to control temperatures
Smart thermostats are an effective way to control temperatures and save electricity in your home. They offer a range of features that provide better control, convenience, and efficiency. Here are some reasons why installing a smart thermostat is a great idea:
Energy and Cost Savings: Smart thermostats can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill. They can automatically turn off or adjust the heating and cooling when you're asleep or away, ensuring that your home is at a comfortable temperature when you need it without wasting energy. Independent studies on American households using the Nest Learning Thermostat showed savings of 10-12% on heating and 15% on cooling. Similar savings can be expected in Australian homes.
Learning Capabilities: Smart thermostats can learn your routines and preferences over time. They can adjust the temperature automatically for maximum efficiency, creating customized heating and cooling schedules to save on energy usage.
Remote Access and Control: With a smart thermostat, you can control your home's temperature from anywhere using your smartphone, tablet, or voice commands. This allows you to turn on or adjust the heating or cooling before you even get out of bed in the morning or arrive home from work, ensuring a comfortable environment without unnecessary energy usage.
Smart Home Integration: Smart thermostats integrate with Wi-Fi and smart home systems like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. This integration allows for voice control and automation, as well as the ability to control the thermostat through various apps and ecosystems.
Enhanced Comfort: Smart thermostats with remote sensors placed in different rooms ensure consistent and personalized comfort throughout your home. Zoned HVAC systems, controlled by smart thermostats, allow for individualized temperature control in different areas, providing customized climates for occupants.
When considering a smart thermostat, it is important to research the various brands and models available, as they offer different features and compatibility options. Consulting with a licensed electrician or technician before purchasing and installing a smart thermostat is recommended to ensure a smooth installation process and compatibility with your home's wiring and heating system.
Some popular smart thermostat options in Australia include the Nest Learning Thermostat, Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat, Ecobee Smart Thermostat, and the locally manufactured Smart Temp thermostats, such as the SMT-710 Zoning thermostat and the Apollo Touch Screen Thermostat.
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Seal air leaks with caulk and weather stripping
Sealing air leaks is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, improve durability, increase comfort, and create a healthier indoor environment. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment, often in less than a year.
Caulking
Caulk is used to seal cracks and openings between stationary house components, such as around door and window frames. It can also be used to seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets. Look for dirty spots on your ceiling paint and carpet, which may indicate air leaks at interior wall/ceiling joints and wall/floor joists, and caulk them.
When deciding how much caulking to purchase, consider that you'll probably need a half-cartridge per window or door and four cartridges for the foundation sill. Most caulking compounds come in disposable cartridges that fit in half-barrel caulking guns, most with an automatic release. Some pressurized cartridges do not require caulking guns.
- Remove any old caulk and paint, using a putty knife or a large screwdriver. Make sure the area is dry so you won't seal in moisture.
- Cut the tip of the cartridge of caulk at a 45-degree angle and insert the tube into the gun. If you’ve never used a caulking gun before, take some time to do a "test caulking" on a newspaper or paper towel.
- Hold the caulking gun at a 45-degree angle to the now-dried, clean edge that’s to be filled. Hold the gun at a consistent angle and, while pulling toward you, slide the tube nozzle along the joint while pulling the trigger of the caulk gun to apply the material.
- Once you’ve covered 2-3 feet of the surface with a bead of caulk, dampen your finger (or a spoon, piece of wood, or foam paintbrush if you don’t want the material to touch your hand) and glide over the bead, pushing the caulk into the crack and forcing the caulk deeper into the crack.
- Clean up any mistakes or excess caulk with a damp rag. Make sure to take care of any problem areas right away, as dried caulk is much harder to clean up later.
- Allow the caulk to dry according to the directions on the package. It usually takes about 24 hours for the caulk to fully cure, but this can depend on air temperature and humidity.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows. It is also used to seal moving areas of windows, such as where the window meets the frame or where the two panes of glass meet.
When sealing air leaks around windows and doors, you can use weatherstripping, caulking, or a combination of both, depending on the area you’re working on and the gap size. If it’s a fixed area with a small gap (a quarter-inch wide or narrower), use caulk. If it’s a fixed area with a crack wider than a quarter of an inch, opt for low-expansion foam or place a foam backer beam into the hole before caulking. Use weatherstripping if you’re working on a moving area, such as where the door or window meets the frame.
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Switch to energy-efficient lighting
Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume a lot of electricity and need to be replaced more often than energy-efficient alternatives. Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use 25-80% less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.
ENERGY STAR is a government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. LEDs with the ENERGY STAR label use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, while providing the same amount of light. They also reduce your carbon footprint by up to 35kg a year, which is the equivalent of driving 100 miles.
Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR-certified lights can save about $40 a year in energy costs. These bulbs also provide high-quality light output and last 15 times longer than standard bulbs, saving on replacement costs.
If you're in the market for new appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label. These products typically use 10-40% less energy than other new models. Some electric companies and state governments offer consumer rebates on ENERGY STAR-rated models.
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Upgrade to an efficient water heater
Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home. Upgrading to an efficient water heater can, therefore, make a big difference to your energy bills.
The Australian government and energy companies are encouraging homeowners to switch to energy-efficient water heaters by offering incentives and discounts. For example, ActewAGL offers a discount of up to $2,000 on the purchase price of a new energy-efficient electric water heater, plus $400 total credit on your quarterly electricity bill over three years.
The NSW Climate and Energy Action initiative also offers a discount of between $190 and $310 when you replace a gas water heater with an air-source heat pump water heater. The exact discount depends on factors such as the location of your property and the complexity of the installation.
To take advantage of these incentives, you will need to work with an approved installer. It's a good idea to get multiple quotes from different installers to ensure you're getting the best deal. The installer can advise you on the most suitable model for your circumstances, as not all hot water systems are eligible for these incentives.
Energy-efficient water heaters, such as hot water heat pumps, harvest natural thermal energy from the air to create hot water. They are highly efficient, using just 30% of the energy of a conventional electric hot water system, and provide energy cost savings all year round.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to reduce your electricity bill. Firstly, you can replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives such as halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), or light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs). LEDs use up to 85% less energy and reduce your home’s carbon dioxide emissions. Secondly, you can reduce your water heating costs by setting your water heater to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Thirdly, you can save on cooling costs by using smart thermostats that automatically adjust your home's temperature settings. Finally, you can use smart power strips to shut off the power to electronics when they are not in use.
You can use tools such as electricity monitor meters or get a professional energy audit done to identify areas where you can save electricity. An energy auditor will inspect your insulation, windows, walls, electrical lines, furnace, water heater, and ducts to suggest improvements.
Some simple habits to save electricity include turning off lights, televisions, computers, and other electronic devices when not in use. You can also use a power strip as a central "turn off" point to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source. Additionally, you can wash your laundry with cold water and run your washing machine on a full load or a half-load programme for smaller loads.
To improve the energy efficiency of your home, you can start by improving insulation in your attic, under your floors, around your water heater and pipes, and in crawl spaces. You can also install window coverings to prevent heat gain during the day and set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature to maintain humidity control. When reheating food, use a toaster oven for smaller portions or a microwave instead of a regular oven. Finally, look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing new appliances, as they are designed to save energy.
