What are some of the factors that you consider when purchasing a new appliance for your home? While cost and quality might top the list, you would look at the energy ratings too. In other words, while we take into consideration the cost of acquiring an appliance, we also give due consideration to its running costs.
If we are so vigilant about power consumption, then why are we paying more towards energy bills than we did a decade ago? While you might argue that the cost of electricity has gone up, in spite of all the energy ratings, we also spend more electric units today than in the past. This is a fact echoed by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The statistic reveals that Australian households today are
consuming 25% more electricity than they did 10 years ago. Let’s see how we can contain this trend.
Changing Habits
Little things like switching off lights & appliances as you leave the room and switching off the heater when it’s not in use can go a long way in cutting your power bills. Being mindful of wastage and also encouraging your family to follow such good habits is vital. This is a zero-cost approach that can cut electricity usage drastically.
How Effective is Your Insulation and Draught-Proofing?
Insulation is an all-weather solution to your power consumption woes. Insulating your ceilings, walls and floors will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing your dependency on electrical appliances for temperature control. Of course, you might have to spend a bit on insulation, if you have not done so already.
Upgrade to Natural Energy
You guessed it right; we’re talking about solar power – the power of sun! With the vast open skies, Australian households are ideal for solar panel installation- a fantastic opportunity to save on your electricity bill. You can also opt for combined systems that make use of solar power together with gas or electrical heating. Such solar heating appliances compensate for the cloudy days through gas or electric heating, bringing you hot water throughout the year.