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Where your power goes and how to save.

Save_Money1_1.jpgThere are articles like this everywhere - telling you what power savings can be made and how to do it.  Like most people, however, we need  constant reminding.  So, here's this month's pep-talk. 

Most households can make very real monetary savings simply by being careful with the power they use.  Sometimes it means spending a little up front but the savings can be significant.

Here's what  I learned - in our last home the master bedroom was cold (and I mean, real cold!) in the winter.  One year I decided to put in under floor heating in the hope that it might make a difference.  We could not believe the difference it made - it was so much warmer.  So, I began checking our power bills.  Over that winter we saved around $11 a month on power and I'm pretty sure it was because of the insulation we put it.  Three years and it paid for itself.

Here’s where your power goes and how you can save:
Heating your water
30%		 • Use less hot water.  Have shorter shower times and have showers rather than baths.
• Install an energy and water efficient showerhead - it could cut hot water wastage by half.
• If your hot tap drips - fix it!
• Some hot water cylinders are manufactured to save power - they will have a 'Grade A' label.  If yours doesn't have such a label, wrap the cylinder in a cylinder blanket.
• Adjust your hot water temperature to 60°Celsius.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Fill the kettle or jug from the cold tap and only heat the amount needed.
• Investigate an alternative means of heating water - solar, gas, heat pump etc.
Heating your home
29%		 • For hints on how to save money on heating your home, see the article in the FORTIfi Resource Centre - Where Does Your Power Go and How Can You Save On Heating?
Refrigeration
11%		 • The colder the temperature of your fridge or freezer, the more is costs to run - set it at a temperature suitable for the contents.
• If you have a second fridge or freezer, don't run it if it's empty.
• Replace old fridges and freezers with newer energy efficient models.
• Ensure the seals around your fridge and freezer are sealing properly.
Lighting
8%		 • Switch off lights when you leave a room - use only the lighting that you need.
• Switch to energy efficient light bulbs and fittings.
Cooking
7%		 • Use a microwave or pressure cooker where possible.
• Use a steamer over a pot to cook more than one dish at a time.
• Buy energy-efficient appliances.
Other
15%		 • Buy energy-efficient appliances.
• Turn appliances off when they are not being used - e.g. computers, televisions etc.
• Turn appliances off at the wall  - those little LCD lights do use power.

Read the article from the FORTIfi Resource Centre: Ten Ways to Save Money on Petrol. 

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