As summer comes, the weather is getting hotter, and so is your electricity bill. I’m sure that everyone has experienced the unpleasant shock of seeing the electricity bill goes up all of the sudden.
Here are what Auckland electricians suggest to “cool down” your electricity bill this summer.
Have you heard of EcoSmart Electrical Health Check?
You might not have thought about this before, but the best way to save money on energy is to have professionals tell you how to do it!
EcoSmart Electricians are specialists in consulting and helping homeowners to find out the best way to save power and reduce gas emissions for their houses. An electrical health check with them will give you a better idea of new technologies to maximise energy efficiency and environmentally friendly electrical installation. Calling certified EcoSmart Electricians is definitely worth trying with all the long-term benefits they can bring to the house.
Start with the water heater
Water heating is a good choice to start with, as it can make up to 27% of your electricity bill. There are a lot of things you can do all year round to save power on these devices such as being mindful of the amount of water you use, taking a shower instead of a bath, and only running the washing machine when it’s full.
During the summer, you can save even more, since you don’t need as much hot water as in the wintertime. Therefore, setting up a timer that can turn off the heater when it is not used is a good idea. Another thing you can do is just simply reduce the amount of hot water you use for showering, washing your hands, and doing other daily activities.
Use the air conditioning efficiently
This can actually start from the moment you look for a new air conditioner for your house. Look for models that have good energy efficient ratings and make sure you choose the most suitable one for your room’s size and using purpose.
Having the air conditioning on all day everyday just sounds so nice in this weather, but you might not want to do that. The rule of thumb here is to only use when you really need it and only use it as long as necessary. You can do this by using the timer to turn it off automatically. Also, remember to keep the door closed while using both air-conditioning and heat pump to make sure you are not overworking them.
Save on refrigerator
The refrigerator is another big part of the bill, as it has to be on 24/7. Other than choosing the one with a good energy rating, there are not too many things you can do with the refrigerator itself. But you can build up some habits to reduce its power consumption. Things like always checking if you have properly closed the door and letting your food cool down before putting it in the fridge might sound small, but they are very effective.
Unplug not-in-use appliances
Unplug appliances if you are not using them. This might not be the first time you read this advice and the reason why it is so popular is that it works. Unplugging one computer or one TV does not sound like it can make any big difference, but all the appliances together can add to a considerable amount of savings. The list of appliances to keep an eye on includes computer, TV, charger, kettle, toaster, and anything that doesn’t need to be plugged in.
Conclusion
I think we can all agree that having a high electricity bill is not pleasant, so it is always nice to know that you can cut down on unnecessary costs without having to compromise your lifestyle or daily routine.
Saving energy is not hard and definitely not something you can do once or twice. It is a journey of building small habits and starting to do things that you are not used to. Just a small action of unplugging your chargers or closing the door when using an air conditioner can go a long way.