10 energy saving tips to reduce your power bills

They say it's the little things that count in life. As power costs rise, many of us are looking for easy ways to use less energy at home. Making a few small changes to the way you use energy could make a massive difference to your next power bill.

Remembering to turn off lights when you're not using them and closing your fridge door properly are obvious ways to cut your energy costs. But what else should you consider doing to keep your energy bills down and your eco-friendly profile up?

Here are ten everyday energy saving tips to help you improve the energy efficiency of your appliances and do better by the environment.

Want expert advice from an electrician about the best power solutions for you? Call ITA Electrical on 03 9761 8700 or contact us here.

1. Shut doors and close curtains

Heating or cooling an entire house or apartment can be expensive - not to mention unnecessary. Make a conscious effort to only heat or cool the rooms where you spend the most time. Wherever possible, shut doors to the areas of your home you're not using. Block any draughts around doors and windows - even the tiniest gap can make a huge difference.

2. Install LED lighting

Replacing halogen globes with LED lights can save you up to $19 per year off your power bill. LED lights also last much longer than other types of lights; approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. Used 12 hours a day, a 50,000 hour bulb will last more than 11 years.

3. Switch to energy-saving technologies

We are living in an exciting time of technological innovation. Try investing in smart power boards, which can detect when devices are in use and when they are in standby mode. When a device is in standby mode, a smart power board will cut the flow of electricity to that particular device without compromising energy flow to other connected electronics. Centrally controlled monitoring systems also allow you to see when and where electricity is being used in your home, and provide insights into how to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

4. Use solar batteries

Solar batteries have been around for a while, but they've only recently started to truly shine as an energy-saving superstar at home. Recent innovations have increased their storage technology so that users can store unused energy generated by the home's solar panels for use later on, rather than squandering it. Learn more about the residential solar revolution to reduce your mains grid electricity consumption at home.

5. Ditch the dryer

Clothes dryers are overrated - honestly. Use your clothesline and access the sun's energy for free. Unless it's raining and the middle of winter, there's no reason to use a dryer if you're not in an urgent rush to wear a particular item of clothing. On that note, use cold water to wash your clothes. A 30 degree cold wash creates less than half a kilogram of greenhouse gas per wash, compared to four kilograms per warm or hot wash.

6. Unplug your microwave

Did you know some microwaves generate more greenhouse gas running the digital clock than cooking food? One of the most straightforward energy saving tips out there is to turn your microwave off at the wall when you're not using it. But don't shun it altogether - it uses much less energy than an electric oven, so embrace it for reheating food.

7. Upgrade your TV

When it comes to televisions, we're taught to believe that big is better, but that's not true when it comes to reducing energy costs. The bigger your TV, the more energy it guzzles, so consider investing in a smaller model to halve its energy usage instantly. Opt for an LCD or LED TV, too, as they use 25 to 50 per cent less power than plasmas.

8. Compare energy retailers

Compare energy companies to see if you can get a cheaper deal for your household's needs. The website Victorian Energy Compare allows you to quickly compare all of the electricity, gas and solar offers available in your area.

9. Talk to an electrician

In just about every home, there are energy-guzzling or inefficient appliances that are hiking up power costs on a daily basis. Sometimes the best way to identify these appliances or use them more efficiently is to bring in an expert. Contact an experienced electrician to get new ideas on how you can save on your water, electricity, and gas bills. At ITA Electrical, we can supply long-term solutions to your energy problems and help you foster good energy habits at home. We can suggest effective ways to reduce your energy use and increase your comfort, as well as replace or upgrade your existing appliances.

10. Insulate your roof

Insulation is a lasting, practical and cost-effective way to make your home more energy efficient. It will keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Insulating your roof can save you up to 80 per cent in heating and cooling losses since the highest proportion of heat transfer occurs through the ceiling and roof. You can even insulate walls, floors and water pipes to cut energy costs at home further, and reduce your household's contribution to climate change.

Want more energy saving tips?

At ITA Electrical, we can help you understand how to save on your energy costs and keep your electricity bill under control. We can talk you through the newest energy-saving technologies and let you know which everyday appliances at home might be costing you a fortune.

When it comes to energy saving tips, following just a few can make an enormous difference to how much you owe on your power bill with minimal effort. Getting a home assessment can help you save even more energy, water, and money.

If you’d like to book a licensed electrician to inspect or test your home, send us a message or call us today on 03 9761 8700.