As the cost of living continues to rise, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills. As the Electrician Melbourne's Eastern suburbs trust, the team here at Kenner Electrics is continually being asked for ways that households can save energy.
Well, a sustainable electrician can indeed help you spend less on electricity and ensure another significant benefit as well: lowering your impact on the environment.
Saving electricity can be done with both day-to-day lifestyle changes and certain things an electrician can do as well. Read on for the tips, and let's lower that utility bill while making your home a bit greener!
Save energy with a regular inspection and maintenance schedule.
You would be surprised what a good electrician will notice when they come to visit your home. Our electricians regularly find things like old iron core lighting transformers that waste a lot of energy in the form of heat and exhaust fans that are clogged with dirt and grime and, therefore, operate inefficiently. We also regularly find dangerous old deteriorated wiring, which, while it doesn’t make your appliances use more power, creates potentially dangerous situations that may cause fire or electrocution!
A regular inspection or maintenance schedule from your local electrician is the top way to make sure the electrical components in your home are safe while lowering your energy bills at the same time.
Switching to energy-efficient lighting
In Australia, there has been a mass phase-out of traditional lighting primarily due to the fact that it is so power-hungry. Incandescent light bulbs draw way more power than is necessary in modern times, leading to increased energy consumption. This is a very easy thing to change, especially when the ability to use greener options is available and so easy.
New homes and buildings already use more efficient lighting options to maximise energy efficiency, and those who live in older homes are making the switch to experience the quick benefit as well. This, coupled with the available new technologies that we'll discuss a bit later, can make a huge difference in your electricity bill by reducing energy usage.
An electrician can help you make the switch by installing efficient lighting, such as LEDs, to help drop those energy bills and achieve maximum energy efficiency.
Energy-efficient appliances
In a similar vein to the lighting, old electrical appliances drain far more power than necessary in the modern age. Even among new appliances, there are varying levels of efficiency. Often, if you spend that little bit more up-front and buy the most energy-efficient appliances with a better energy rating, it will pay for itself in the long run by using less power and lowering your energy bill.
Swapping out your old appliances for new, energy-efficient options is also a great idea, and your electrician can help with the installation, ensuring that everything is wired for maximum efficiency. Always make sure to properly recycle your old appliances so that they don’t just end up in landfill.
Another thing to consider is whether you really need that extra fridge out in the garage. Fridges and freezers can add significantly to your electric bill and energy costs, often costing hundreds of dollars to run each year. If you can make do with one most of the time, keep the spare one switched off when not in use.
Making use of smart technology
Those tech innovations we mentioned earlier will not only make your life simpler, but they can also trim down the bill as well. Consider installing a programmable thermostat that will maintain a steady temperature matched to your lifestyle, rather than cranking the A/C when you get home.
Reducing your electricity usage with smart technology is easy as your heating and cooling are tailored to the times when you are actually present in the home. No more accidentally leaving the air con on when you head out while racking up a huge bill.
Make the most of solar.
We live in a sun-blessed country, so getting solar panels installed in your home is a no-brainer for most Australians. But is getting solar installed at the end of the journey? If you cringe at the risk of a high electricity bill, you'll no doubt be even more perturbed when a high one comes in despite the fact that you’ve just had a solar system installed in your home.
If none of your behaviours around energy use change, then it’s likely that most of the solar that your system generates has just been exported to the grid for a fraction of what it costs to purchase power. You'll be surprised what a huge difference you can make with a few changes that ensure you make the most of the power you produce:
• Set timers on your washing machine and dishwasher to run in the middle of the day instead of at night
• If you have a pool, program the pumps to operate in the middle of the day
• If you have an electric storage hot water heater, get a timer installed by an electrician so the hot water unit only heats up during the day when the sun is up
• If you have an EV, make sure your car only charges during the day
• And lastly, it’s definitely worth considering getting a solar battery installed if you use a lot of power at night or early in the morning
Extra energy-saving tips
Sometimes, a few simple lifestyle changes are all it takes to lower your electricity bill. Consider some of these easy tips to bring that electricity cost down:
• Turn off unnecessary lights
• Use as much natural light as possible
• Use task lighting when suitable and turn off the ceiling lights
• When it isn’t too hot, consider using a fan or an evaporative cooler instead of an air conditioner
• Unplug unused electronics
• Turn appliances off at the wall when not in use
Speak to the Electrician Melbourne's East Trusts to Start Saving Money Today
The experienced team at Kenner Electrics can help home, and business owners or property managers save money on their electricity bills and ensure safe wiring today. We service the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne, providing our local community with reliable and trusted services that improve the electrical components of a property. From connectivity to functionality and safety, we work hard to ensure you have access to the best of the best.
As experts in electrical service work, we provide premium maintenance and upgrades at a very cost-effective price. Call today to discuss how we can help make your home safer and more energy-efficient and experience savings as quickly as your next electricity bill.
