The best way to start saving on your electricity costs is to get smart with how you use electricity.
These easy tips from LookSee.co.za, the complete home efficiency partner innovated by Standard Bank, will help you make a substantial difference in your electricity consumption.
1. Manage your geyser temperature
Your geyser uses as much as 40% of your home’s electricity consumption. Reduce the temperature setting to 55 degrees Celsius and see the marked difference to your power bill.
2. Use less hot water
Choose a shower instead of a bath and see both your power and water bills dropping. For even more savings, keep your shower short and use a lower flow of water.
3. Choose a cold clothes wash
Doing your washing doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Use the cold wash setting and wait till you have enough for a full load before hitting the start button.
4. Fill the dishwasher
Stop your dishwasher from being an electricity hog by making use of energy efficient or lower temperature settings and waiting till it is full before running a load. Save even more on your electricity and water bills by washing your dishes by hand.
5. Boil small amounts of water
Can’t live without your morning cuppa? No problem. Place a water jug next to your kettle and only boil enough for your immediate needs for electricity and water savings that will surprise you.
6. Clean your stove and cookware properly
Give the plates of your stove and the bottoms of your pots and pans a good clean to reduce the time and cost of cooking.
7. Reduce your Fridge temperature
Reduce the temperature setting on your fridge to 2 and regularly defrost your freezer to improve cooling efficiency. Allow food to cool down before putting it in the fridge or freezer to reduce cooling costs and keep your food from going off. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to avoid cool air escaping.
8. Turn off at plug points
That stand-by function on your electronics uses as much as 50% of the electricity as it does when its on. Turn devices such as TVs, computers, sound systems and entertainment units off at the plug point to cut off ‘power vampires’.
9. Unplug your chargers
Did you know chargers for mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers and the like continue to draw power even when there isn’t a device connected? Stop the wastage by unplugging charger cables when they aren’t in use.
10. Turn off unnecessary lights
Remember your parents constantly telling you to turn the lights off? They weren’t wrong, turning off unnecessary lights has a real impact on your annual electricity usage.
11. Only heat one room
Don’t pay more than necessary for keeping warm in winter by heating only 1 room and making sure doors, windows and curtains are closed to keep the room cosy.
12. Cool down sparingly
Use an air conditioner in the same way you would a heater by keeping the cool air concentrated to the room. If you’re using a fan, open windows on either side of the house to promote cross ventilation.
For more ways to increase your home’s efficiency and save money, visit LookSee.co.za, your free personal home specialist.
