As we navigate through the seasons, it’s essential to take proactive steps to manage our energy consumption. Even with fluctuating energy prices, adopting efficient habits can significantly lower our bills. At Complete Property Solutions, we’re committed to helping you achieve a sustainable, cost-effective home environment. Here are some lesser-known, yet highly effective tips to help you conserve energy and save money:
Identify Your Energy Drains
Many of our household appliances consume energy even when they’re not in active use. Devices that remain on standby, such as computers, monitors, televisions, and gaming consoles, can still draw power. This is why it’s crucial to fully turn off these appliances rather than leaving them in sleep mode.
Invest in Smart Power Strips
The convenience of not having to unplug each appliance individually is provided by smart power strips. These strips can cut power to multiple devices simultaneously with a single click or even automatically, helping to reduce the standby power consumption that quietly increases your energy bill.
Optimize Your Laundry Practices
Think about the way you use your washing machine and dryer. Reducing their usage can lead to significant savings. Try to run only full loads and consider using lower temperature settings. Modern detergents and machines are designed to be highly effective even with cold water, which can drastically reduce the energy used per cycle.
Embrace Natural Drying Techniques 
Whenever possible, use the sun and wind to your advantage by air-drying your laundry. This natural method eliminates the energy use of tumble dryers. On sunny days, or even breezy ones, outdoor drying solutions like rotary dryers or over-the-door racks can be exceptionally efficient.
Upgrade to LED Lighting
Replacing old bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs can transform your home’s lighting efficiency. These bulbs use a fraction of the energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs, reducing both your replacement costs and energy consumption.
Adjust Your Fridge and Freezer Settings
Moderate adjustments to your refrigerator and freezer settings can result in substantial energy savings without compromising the safety of your stored food. Slight increases in temperature settings can still preserve food while consuming less energy.
Consult a Professional
If your efforts to reduce energy consumption seem futile, it might be time to consult with a professional. At Complete Property Solutions, our skilled electricians can perform a thorough assessment of your home’s electrical system to identify and resolve hidden inefficiencies.
Insulate Your Water Heater
Heating water is a major energy expense. Insulating your water heater, or any exposed hot water pipes, can significantly reduce heat loss, allowing it to use less energy while maintaining the desired temperature.
Conserve Water
Hot water conservation isn’t just good for the environment; it’s also kind to your wallet. Simple actions like fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can significantly reduce your hot water usage.
Utilise Energy-Efficient Appliances
When it’s time to replace appliances, choosing those with high energy efficiency ratings can lead to long-term savings. Look for the latest ENERGY STAR rated appliances that guarantee energy efficiency and quality performance.
Use Timers and Programmable Thermostats
Integrating timers or smart programmable thermostats in your home can optimize the timing of your heating and cooling systems, ensuring they operate only when necessary. This prevents wasteful energy use and contributes to a comfortable home atmosphere.
Educate and Update Your Habits
Simple behavioural changes can have a big impact on your energy bills. Educate everyone in the household about turning off lights and appliances when not in use. Also, keeping up with routine maintenance, like cleaning filters and servicing your HVAC system, ensures everything runs efficiently.
TOP 5 ITEMS TO INSTALL IN THE HOME
Reducing home electricity bills is a priority for many homeowners looking to save money and decrease their environmental impact. Here are the top 5 items that can significantly help reduce your home electricity bills:
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are one of the most effective tools for managing your home’s heating and cooling costs. These devices learn your schedule and temperature preferences to optimize your home’s climate, reducing unnecessary heating and cooling. They can be controlled remotely via smartphone, allowing you to adjust settings on-the-go, ensuring that you’re only using energy when it’s needed. Additionally, many smart thermostats provide energy usage reports, helping you understand your consumption patterns and identify opportunities to save even more.
LED Lighting
Switching to LED light bulbs is one of the easiest and most cost-effective changes you can make to reduce home energy use. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting. They are available in various colors and brightness levels, suitable for any room in your home. By replacing your home’s all bulbs with LEDs, you can see a significant decrease in electricity usage and costs.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can have a profound impact on your electricity bill. Look for appliances that have the ENERGY STAR label, which signifies compliance with energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the European Union. ENERGY STAR appliances use 10 to 50% less energy than standard models, depending on the appliance type—this includes refrigerators, washers, dryers, and more.
Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on your home can drastically reduce your electricity bill, and in some cases, eliminate it. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, directly powering your home. Any excess power generated can often be sold back to the grid, potentially earning you credits on your energy bills. While the upfront cost can be significant, the long-term savings and environmental benefits make solar panels a worthwhile investment.
Smart Power Strips
Many devices continue to draw power even when they’re turned off, a phenomenon known as “phantom load.” Smart power strips can help mitigate this by cutting off power to devices when they are not in use. They can be programmed to turn off at certain times, controlled remotely, or designed to detect when a device is in standby mode to shut off power flow. This can lead to substantial savings, especially in homes with numerous electronic gadgets.
By integrating these items into your home, you can achieve lower electricity bills while also contributing to a more sustainable environment. Each of these solutions not only helps in reducing energy consumption but also enhances the convenience and efficiency of managing your home’s energy usage.
At Complete Property Solutions, we believe that being energy efficient is beneficial for both the environment and your pocketbook. By following these tips and continuously seeking ways to improve your home’s energy management, you can enjoy lower bills and a more sustainable lifestyle. For more personalized solutions, consider scheduling an energy audit with us today, and let’s make your home as energy-efficient as possible!
