6 Ways to Increase the Energy Efficiency in Your Home

Tired of the infinite cycle of paying ever-increasing energy bills? You’re not alone. 

Households across Australia are set to receive higher bills yet again because of another rate hike. As governments and regulators do their best to tackle soaring energy costs, the ball is in your court to monitor your usage and maximise your efficiency. Your efforts will also leave a more sustainable footprint for future generations.

With that in mind, here are some impactful ways that can make a real difference.

1. Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances 

Consumer electronics are not the energy guzzlers they once were. With energy efficiency emerging as a major buying factor, companies across the globe have invested heavily to make their products more sustainable. Australia’s Energy Rating Label system makes ascertaining the same extremely simple. All you have to do is look at the number of stars on the label. The more the stars, the more efficient the appliance. You can also determine how much electricity a model will roughly use each year, in kilowatt hours (kWh). Also consider appliances that require lower standby power, i.e. electricity consumed when they are not being actively used. 

2. Improve Your Insulation

Solid insulation can make a whole lot of difference. It can maintain the desired temperature for a longer period of time. This means less ‘air-con’ in the summers and less heating in the winters. 

Start by insulating the ceiling, as this is where homes lose the most heat. If you’re building a new home or planning a major renovation, consider underfloor insulation and wall insulation as well. If you have no such plans, adding roller shutters can be another effective option at a much lower cost. These shutters block out the harsh sun in the summers and help keep the insides warmer during winters. They also improve your privacy and security.

3. Go For Solar

Going for solar could be a bill-changing decision. 

Australia is geographically blessed to have an abundance of sunlight and one of the highest solar irradiances in the world. In the long run, this can make going for solar power a no-brainer decision. 

Pairing solar with an energy storage system can also allow power usage at night or on very cloudy days. There are plenty of incentives in the form of rebates from state governments across Australia to install solar power, making this deal even more enticing. 

4. Switch To LED Lighting

Still using halogen bulbs? They’re a huge drain on both energy and savings. 

Not only do  LED bulbs tend to use 75% less energy for the same output, but they also last five to ten times longer than halogen bulbs. This also translates to a lower number of used bulbs ending up in the landfills.  You could even go for warmer or natural white tones to give a cosy vibe to your living space. 

5. Be Mindful Of Your Usage

Small changes can make a big difference. It doesn’t take long for simple acts to snowball into habits. Think of actions like switching off the lights when leaving the room, turning on appliances in energy-saving mode and even unplugging seldom-used appliances. You could even make house rules like running dishwashers and washing machines on full load for maximum efficiency. 

The key is in being conscious and making subtle changes. In silos, they may seem insignificant. But grouped together, they can make a decent dent in your energy bill.

6. Use Smart Home Tech 

While these do not need to be high on your priority list, a bit of technological wizardry can also unlock some energy savings. 

Smart thermostats can regulate appliance usage as per the current room temperature. Smart lighting systems allow control from afar and also enable scheduled on/off. You could also program certain appliances to run at off-peak energy times. While not essential, these can give a modern touch to your home and also help improve energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency can seem like a pipe dream in the beginning. But consistent and conscious efforts can make a huge difference. 

Installing a solar energy system is a surefire way to achieve that goal. If you want to limit your expenditure, look for smaller victories. Switch your legacy appliances to newer ones with a good energy efficiency rating. Improve your insulation to minimise appliance usage. Switch to LED lighting for huge efficiency gains and a longer usage span. Be mindful of the smaller actions and usage habits. 

Finally, explore smart appliances that can give your home a modern twist but also help save some energy. Stop paying mammoth energy bills. Take the initiative for a sustainable future and higher cost savings in the long run.

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