If you’re interested in reducing your electricity usage, there are some easy tricks to cut it down without even breaking a sweat or making any great sacrifices.
Turn off your appliances at the wall
Get into the habit of unplugging or turning off wall switches when you’re not using things like TVs, laptops and games consoles.
Try a powerboard
Powerboards supply several different appliances with electricity at once, so you can connect appliances that you use at the same time; this way, when one’s off, they’re all off. You also need to get into the habit of turning off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Use small lamps
If you’re watching TV or having a cosy gathering, use smaller lamps rather than bigger overhead lights to cut down usage for a few hours. You should also look into LEDs as they use less than 10% of the energy of halogens and last for years.
Saving in the kitchen
Plan ahead and thaw out frozen food in the fridge overnight and use your microwave when you can as it uses much less energy than your oven. If you are using the oven, resist the temptation to keep opening the door. Use lids on pans to reduce the energy (and time) needed to cook and if you need some boiling water, use a kettle.
Only turn on your dishwasher when it’s full and use the economy cycle as often as you can.
Set your freezer to between -15C and -18C, which is just above professional temperatures. Place your fridge and freezer in a cool, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and your oven.
As with your dishwasher, only use your washing machine on a full load and only use a hotter wash if you really need to. If you spin thoroughly, you can line-dry your clothes in no time.
Set your hot water to 50C and use water-saving taps and showerheads to reduce the amount of water you have to heat. Get into the habit of brisk showers and save long, luxurious baths for treats.
Use timers and sensors to light up your external areas and think about using solar-powered lights, especially along pathways. If you separate your lighting into different areas, you can use just half your bulbs at once.
Try to use your aircon less – close off unused rooms so you don’t need to cool them and keep curtains or shades closed to keep out the sun. On the odd chilly day just put on a jumper or use a hot water bottle before turning up the heating.
Look after your air conditioner unit – clean filters and keep its intake clear.
Happy saving!
Contact Accord Electrical now to know more.
