“Energy saving” is a phrase we all hear, every appliance we buy claims it and the government want us to apply it. We will have a good look at the best energy saving tips available.
Winter is a cold, damp and dark time of year where electricity use increases and somewhere, somehow we all know we need to conserve power. We switch more lights on, we plug-in heaters, the tumble dryer works overtime. And all this increases our already high electricity bill. It does seem like an endless and impossible cycle. We need the power to stay warm, dry and even entertained but we need to use less of it when we think we are already doing all we can. This post is about a few energy-saving tips.
In summer our homes are hot we cant sleep at night. As we know heat in the home is radiated into the house via the ceiling. Insulated homes reduce heat flow into the home by as much as 90%.
But there is more we can do; there will always be more we can do. Here are Energy Saving Tips to help you this winter and summer.
Energy Saving Tips
Bring back the sun. In South, Africa sunlight is one of the most abundant renewable energy sources available, even in winter. In South Africa, especially in winter, there is nothing better than a hot bath or shower. And we take our hot water for granted. 24% of the average electricity bill generated thanks to the hot water geyser. And with the sunlight, we have so much of can reduce that cost in an instant.
Insulating the hot water geyser with high-density 145mm Isotherm will help reduce the energy loss. Another option is also to have pipe insulation fitted to the hot water pipes are among the top energy-saving tips.
Investing in a modern solar-powered geyser does have a cost. However, the clean energy used that is essentially free soon recoups that cost. A solar solution, not only for the geyser but elsewhere in the home can bring tremendous savings and will do its bit for the environment. Solar reduces energy loss substantially and is another of the good energy-saving tips.
Energy Saving Tips To Save Money at Home
Many homeowners are looking at ways to reduce energy consumption in the home. As we are well aware South Africa and many other countries are running short of electricity, For this reason alternative energy sources are the way forward. However there are many ways to reduce the need for electricity in the home. Lets look at some options to save electricity,
Fit Energy Saving LED Downlights
Most new lighting options include energy efficient lights. The amount of electricity consumed with efficient lighting can reduce energy consumption as much as 70%.
Many home have a number of Downlights changing these lights to Eco-friendly energy efficient Downlights makes a good saving long term.
When one considers that a normal downlight is 40 watts, and the new LED lights are between 4 and 8 watts depending on the lights selected. Let us have a look at what that means for your home.
Energy Loss calculation with LED downlights;
- Non LED Lights: 10 X 40 watt lights = 400 watts energy used
- LED Lights: 10 x 5 watt lights = 50 watts resulting in a 800% energy improvement fitting the LED lights.
As we can see in this example the saving is substantial.
Gas Stoves and Ovens
Fitting gas stoves with a gas oven will save a substantial amount of energy in the home. Most modern homes are now fitted with low consumption gas stoves and ovens. Many homeowners will make use of a 9Kg gas bottle for three to six months.
From an energy saving perspective gas stoves are approximately 60% more efficient as a result a substantial electricity saving is achieved.
Fit Heavy Curtains
On hot summer days when the sun rays shine through the windows always have the curtains closed. Closing the curtains will stop the heat flow into the home. For this reason the home will be cooler in summer.
In winter allow the suns rays to enter the home and close all curtains at night to reduce heat loss through the cold glass.
Solar Geyser
The energy guzzlers in most homes are stoves, air-conditioners, underfloor heating and hot water geysers. Fitting a solar Geyser will result in at least a 25% energy saving.
Timer switches
If going solar is a little out of reach the next step is to look at putting a timer on the geyser. Most geysers are left running 24/7 and this costs money, a simple timer can save money. What is the point of warming water and keeping it warm if no one is at home? A geyser timer switch controls the on and off switch for the hot water heater. Switched off when not needed during the day or even at night when people are sleeping. The geyser is then switched on a few minutes before the hot water is needed. The savings can be significant.
Fit Thermal Insulation
All the energy spent getting the home warm is wasted if there is insufficient ceiling insulation. The solar or timed geyser is inefficient without Ceiling insulation and the investment negated. Insulation of doors and windows is a must, a rug on the floor and curtains over windows and doors make a massive difference.
Don’t let heat escape, insulate. Heat rises and much is lost through the ceiling and roof cavity or loft. Loft insulation such as ISOTHERM is an affordable, reliable and proven way to bring energy costs down. Simply by ensuring heat is trapped where it is needed most. Be sure to check the specifications for the roof insulation that you require. Make sure to install the 145mm ISOTHERM achieving the R-value 3.70 for the Western Cape.
If insulating with Aerolite insulation the 135mm Aerolite must be installed in the Western Cape region.
Look at the light
Electric lighting is taken for granted and in winter more lighting is generally needed and used. But step back and think. Is the light you are about to switch on really needed? That simple thought can save money. And it is not just the lights being switched on or off that makes a difference, the type of lighting does too. Energy-saving bulbs have become commonplace today but there is a lighting solution that this is even more efficient. LED lighting has become popular, it does have a cost but the savings it brings to make a notable difference to the size of the energy bill.
The small Light Emitting Diodes produce a great deal of light and allow for more creativity to be applied to lighting in the home. LED lights last up to 25 times longer than any light bulb. So there is no cost in continually replacing blown globes, but it is the energy-saving that makes the greatest difference. Just like solar power, LED has a cost but this cost is soon recouped over a period of time.
A snuggle, a blanket and a hot water bottle
It is not just technology that can reduce electricity use and costs. Sometimes going back to basics is what makes the biggest difference of all. The human body is a highly efficient heater and when that heat is trapped under a blanket it is the most energy-efficient heaters available. Snuggled up alone or cuddled up with a loved one is special and knowing it is saving you money this winter is a bonus. Throw out the electric blanket, add an extra conventional blanket on the bed and throw in a hot water bottle and you have found another, happy and cosy energy saving technique that anyone can apply.
These are just 5 tips energy saving tips for this winter. No matter how you save energy you will always have peace of mind in doing so and summer will soon come back again.
