Green Electricity - Ways To Save Energy And Slash Electricity Bills
1. Lighting & Light Bulbs Install low energy light bulbs in rooms you use regularly
- they keep working up to 15 times longer than a regular light bulb and give the same lighting for a quarter of the running cost. Switch off the lights whenever you get out of a room for a long period and don't utilize numerous light bulbs where one will do the job. Teach all family members to turn off lights whenever leaving a room.
2. TV, Hi-Fi & Radio Turn off the TV or video and hi-fi instead of leaving it on standby. Continually use the television's on/off switch. Leaving the television on standby wastes energy.
3. Cooking Microwave ovens reduce cooking time by 15% to 20% and save energy. When boiling vegetables, use just sufficient water to keep them covered. Make use of a jug kettle that has a water level gauge to ensure you just heat the amount of water you require. Cover saucepans with lids whenever possible to lessen the cooking time.
4. Home Laundry & Dishwashers Save electricity by using old-fashioned clothesline for clothes drying. Avoid drying clothes on radiators because it lowers the room temperature, having your boiler continue to work hard. Turn off dishwasher for dry cycle. Let your dishes "air dry". Don't use dishwasher or laundry equipment until you have a full load.
5. Fridges & Fridge Freezers Be sure your refrigerator and freezer door seals are airtight. Let hot foods cool prior to placing them in the refrigerator. Defrost refrigerator regularly - when around 1/4 inch of ice has developed. Place your refrigerator in the coolest part of the kitchen - far from cookers, heaters and free from direct sunlight.
6. Heating Switch off electric water heater when going away for holidays or weekends. Turn your heating down instead of opening a window to decrease the room temperature. Never cover radiators with curtains or furniture because this reduces their effectiveness and wastes valuable heat. When going on long holidays, remember to switch your water heating off.
7. Work Tools Work with hand tools in your workshop instead of power tools.
8. Appliances When shopping for new appliances, ask about energy-efficient models. Purchase appliances on the basis of cost plus operating costs, not price alone. Reduce the use of appliances that utilize over 1,000 watts. Keep appliances clean and in good working order. They'll utilize less energy.
9. Bills Look at all energy bills carefully. Errors can be expensive.
10. Insulation & Air conditioning Insulating your attic will save on operating air conditioning (also heating). If your walls are appropriate, cavity wall insulation will significantly decrease heat loss. Keep air conditioning condenser shaded from sun or on north side of house. Switch off air conditioning when nobody is home.