Whether you own or rent, how to save energy at home is an important concern for everyone. We all want to do what we can to maximise our energy efficiency and save on utility bills. The good news is that technology today is making that easier than ever before. Below, have a look at four simple changes you can make to create a more energy efficient home.
1. Install a programmable thermostat
In a 10-year study from independent research firm BRANZ, low temperature heat is where the majority of a household's energy is used. 63% of energy costs stem from this source, with 34% used for heating alone.
If you have a thermostat-controlled system, one of the most effective ways to run a more energy efficient home, and keep your heating costs down, is to install a programmable unit. You can program your heat to only operate during the times when you need it, like the mornings and the evenings. Otherwise, the automatic controls will keep the temperature low without any additional work from you.
Many systems can have a programmable thermostat retro-fitted on older models. From a property investment perspective, this small change can also serve as a big selling point for your real estate.
2. Keep your eyes on hot water use
In the above-mentioned BRANZ research study, the second largest consumer of energy is hot water, which takes up 29% of your total costs. It takes a lot of energy to heat your water and maintain its warm temperature. As a result, you should do what you can to conserve this resource wherever possible.
The good news is that just a few small steps can help you achieve this goal. Check out some pointers from New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA):
- Replace your showerhead with a high-efficiency model (new models give you plenty of water pressure with much lower usage).
- Try to reduce the total amount of time you spend in the shower. Even just cutting a few minutes off your average shower time could greatly lower your monthly costs.
- Use cold washes during laundry. Most detergents and laundry accessories provide plenty of cleaning power without the need for hot water.
3. Upgrade your light bulbs to LED
Light bulb technology has come a long way in a few short years. LED light bulbs have quickly become the superior choice by providing excellent light, longer lifespan, and drastically lower energy usage. Best of all, the price per bulb has continued to drop with replacements now being more affordable than ever before.
Take some time to upgrade the lighting across your house to LED bulbs. Completing this so-called “light audit” may also help you become a little more aware of your habits with lights. Remember that although using LED bulbs is much cheaper than incandescent lighting, you’ll save even more by keeping the lights off whenever possible.
4. Pay attention to windows and doors
Energy loss due to inefficient windows or doors is one of the leading causes of added expenses to your utility bills. Replacing your windows or doors may not be possible for you due to the cost. Fortunately, there are a few other ways you can correct draughts from your windows and doors:
- Install draught-stopping tape in problem areas
- Place draught excluders or door snakes under doors
- Add plastic sealing film to draughty windows
Your energy efficient home: one step at a time...
As you can see, only a few small steps can add up to big savings on your average utility costs. When you take the time to become a little more aware of how you consume energy, you can start to see all the ways you can save. Employ these strategies and you’ll likely see a noticeable change in your total utility costs after just a few weeks.
Want to add value to your home and give it the best chance of success on the property market? Check out the tips in our free guide:
