- Tip 1: Only run the dishwasher when it is full: While we are sure most people know this tip, many don't follow it. If you do you will save around 50 cents per load. It all adds up.
- Tip 2: Move the refrigerator away from the stove or hot air vents: Also make sure that the seals are working well. You don't want the fridge to have to cool more than it needs to.
- Tip 3: Right size pots for the stove: Make sure that you use pots and pans that are the right size for the stove top burners. You can also use the lids so you can cook at a lower temperature.
- Tip 4: Match the water level to the size of your washing load: Always match the water level to the size of the washing load you are washing.
- Tip 5: Buy a deep freezer: Buying in bulk saves you money. If you have a deep freezer you have a place to store all those bargains. There are some really efficient ones out there at the moment that don’t take much to defrost. Makes sure food doesn’t get ‘buried’ in there. I was cleaning out mum’s recently and found pastry in there from 1977!
- Tip 6: Buy energy efficient globes: Energy efficient globes are good for the environment and if you live in an average size home, will help save you around $50 a year. Again it all adds up.
- Tip 7: Turn off the lights before you leave the house: This tip only takes a few seconds to do, and will not only help the environment, but can also save you around $50 a year. If you’re going away on holiday and worried about security get a timer. Or put a few fake skulls on poles out the front.
- Tip 8: Let the sun shine in: Using sun light to heat your house in winter. Open up the curtains and you will save around 5 percent on your heating bills.
- Tip 9: The kettle: Kettles are a large user of electricity, especially if you are boiling the whole 1.5 or 2 litres of water every time you turn it on. Cut your electricity costs by only filling up the jug with a small amount of water. It will be quicker. As an even cheaper option consider using a stove top kettle (even more efficient if you have a gas stove).
- Tip 10: Set your water heater to “normal”: Go out to your water heater and see what temperature it is set at. To use the least amount of power, ensure that the setting is on "normal" or around 120F. This one little change will save you around $5 a month. Remember: Don't go below 120F unless you want some funky water born diseases spreading in your water tank.
- Tip 11: unplug your household items: Each individual household item that you have plugged in, may not use much power. However, when you add all of these together they use more power than your average fridge or freezer. Do this and you will save around $4 a month.
- Tip 12: Use the microwave instead of the oven: Microwaves are cheaper to run than ovens. Once or twice a week see if you can get away with using the Microwave instead.
- Tip 13: Cut back on the clothes dryer: Dry all smaller items on clothes rack or clothes line, and reserve the dryer for only the bigger items when the weather is bad.
- Tip 14: Buy energy efficient appliances: Most appliances these days have an energy star rating included on their box. The more stars the better. If you buy appliances that have more stars, you will save on your energy consumption over time.
- Tip 15: Convert to a gas hot water system: Gas hot water systems are much more economical and will save you around 20 percent in costs compared to an electric hot water system.
- Tip 16: Wash your clothes in cold water: Cold water is just as good as hot water for washing clothes, and will save you around $5 a month. Note: For bed sheets it is still best to use hot water as hot water kills dust mite.
- Tip 17: Purchase a water heater blanket: These blankets keep your hot water system nice and toasty and mean that you spend less electricity heating it up as it stays warm. Make sure you buy one that is certified and safety tested! Also clean the water regularly. I remember hearing about a two foot white worm that was pulled out of one that hadn’t been cleaned!
- Tip 18: Clean your refrigerator coils: The cleaner they are the more efficient your refrigerator will be, and the less money you will spend on electricity. Remember to turn the refrigerator off first.
- Tip 19: Adjust the brightness of your television set: Did you know that you can adjust the brightness of your TV to "home". Do this and you will reduce the energy consumption of your television by 30%.
- Tip 20: Use a slow cooker: A slow cooker is a great tool for your kitchen. It makes you instantly a master chef, it is energy efficient, and means you only have to use one pot. Also you can throw almost anything from your fridge in. The added bonus of course is it frees up your time. Scan the Internet for recipes and start saving up to $20 a month.
- Tip 21: Turn your pilot lights off over summer: If you don't need your gas heater of fake log fire over summer then turn the pilot light off. This will save your around $15 - $20 over the three months of summer (as we keep saying…ever light bit helps!)
Cheers
Rusty O'Connor
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