Did you know that heating and cooling your home can account for up to half of its energy use? Half!
Here’s how you can save energy this autumn/winter:
- Rotate your ceiling fans. In the winter, set your fan clockwise to move hot air downward; during summer, turn your fan counter-clockwise to suck hot air up.
- Always use the automatic fan setting on your air-con. Keep the fan on the ‘auto’ position. Turning it to the ‘on’ position can increase your energy usage/costs and make it harder for your air-con to maintain the desired temperature.
- Follow the 4×4 principle. Set you’re A/C’s thermostat four degrees higher when you’re away from home for more than four hours.
When Was the Last Time You Changed the Air Filter on Your Air-con?
Homeowners often overlook replacing air filters, but it’s important to change the filters regularly to keep your air-conditioner working efficiently. Also, ensure the return air vents are free from obstructions. If air flow is hindered, the system can’t operate properly, and this will very much be reflected in your electricity bill.
It’s All About Efficiency
Appliances that are more than 10 years old will generally use 2-3 times more power than new, efficient models. No-one likes turfing stuff out while it’s still working perfectly well, but if your fridge, dishwasher, clothes dryer or plasma TV is more like an antique than an up-to-date appliance, it may be using more power than you think. Consider investing in a new, energy-efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when upgrading and try and choose the model with the lowest kWh consumption.
Small Actions Add Up
So easy, yet so often overlooked … closing doors to keep the heat in a room, turning lights off when leaving a room and shutting blinds to keep the heat in are just a couple simple ways to decrease your energy costs and make your home more comfortable and efficient.
