Keep electricity costs down this winter
Winter is here and for most people this means a spike in your electricity bill due to the additional energy used for heating your home. However this doesn’t have to be the case, here are some great tips for keeping warm and keeping that electricity bill down.
Set your thermostat to a lower temperature
Living in Australia it really doesn’t get that cold especially on the Gold Coast. You can save yourself significant amounts of money by simply reducing the temperature on your heating by a few degrees. Saving as much as 2% for every degree you reduce the thermostat. If you are willing to make some investments there are a plethora of smart thermostats available that will help you manage and improve the efficiency of your home heating. You can keep your electricity costs down by setting the thermostat to the ideal temperature to keep you warm and your electricity bill affordable. This is between 18 and 20 degrees.
Keep your showers short and upgrade your water heater
Hot water usage accounts for around 21% of your electricity bill so shorter showers can make an impact. If your home is running an electric water heater you could see significant savings by having a high efficiency electric heat pump water heater installed. Electric heat pump water heaters work in a way that could be described as a refrigerator in reverse. Electric Heat Pump water heaters are 90% efficient compared to a conventional electric water heater which is only 60% efficient, this improvement in efficiency could save you up to $300 per year.
Shut the door and use your curtains
It may seem obvious to keep all external doors and windows shut to keep your house warm. However closing the doors to rooms that do not need heating, such as the bathroom and laundry, can reduce heat loss by up to 70%. Gold Coast winters aren’t exactly savage, so often we don’t have the ability to close off areas of our houses like hallways. Consider hanging heavier curtains for winter use. You will be amazed how much heat a curtain will contain in a room.
Get an energy audit done
Have a trained professional assess your home and gather useful information about your energy use. The team at South East Electrical will then inform you of some measures that you can take to save electricity. An energy audit can save you up to 30% on your electricity bills if you make the recommended efficiency upgrades.
Clean the filters of your air conditioning unit
A clean air conditioning unit is an efficient one. Clean out the mold spores of summer and start winter with a clean air conditi0ning unit. Just as you service your car regularly or go to the doctor when you are feeling sick you should also keep your air conditioner working at its best. A regularly serviced air condition will not only will it be more efficient and cost you let to run it will stop the spread of germs and allergens that will impact on your and your family’s health.
Save money and stay warm this winter
There are many ways to reduce your energy bill this winter and by taking advice from just one these helpful tips you could lower your energy bill. For more information contact South East Electrical on 1300 997 621.
