Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or hoping to knock some figures off your next electricity bill, there are many simple and cost-effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your Brisbane home.
Here are just a few low-cost changes you can make to start your greener living journey.
Let there be energy-efficient light
In Australia, lighting accounts for 10% of the average household electricity budget. Incandescent light bulbs and some halogen light bulbs have been in the process of being phased out of the Australian market for some time and are gradually being replaced by LED light bulbs.
LED light bulbs are better value for money than halogen bulbs, using about 75% less energy. They can also be used in most existing fittings in Australian homes. When purchasing LED lights, be sure to check for compatibility with your home, bulb efficiency and safety ratings. You can read more about buying quality LED lighting here.
Alongside switching to LED lights in your home, investing in sensors to turn off lighting when a room is unoccupied and looking into installing solar outdoor lighting are simple ways to reduce electricity consumption in your home.
Inspect your insulation
Insulation in a home provides resistance to heat flow and lowers your heating and cooling costs. It is an important investment in the Brisbane Climate, keeping your Brisbane home warm in winter and cool in summer. Properly insulating your home not only reduces heating and cooling costs but it can provide year-round comfort.
There are many different types of insulation that serve different purposes, but the best type of insulation material used and the location that it is installed (in the ceiling, the floors or the walls) will be dependent on the structural design of your home – the insulation you may find in an old Queenslander may differ to what you would find in a modern townhouse.
You can check to see if your home is insulated by checking the building and pest report that may have been conducted upon purchasing your property. If you want advice on whether the insulation in your home is up to standard or want to enquire about installing insulation, contact an insulation specialist.
While initial costs may be involved when checking that your home is properly insulated, insulation will pay off in the long run.
Check your electrical appliances
If you own an old television or have a faulty thermostat on your fridge, It might be time for an upgrade. Home appliances can account for 30% of home energy use, so choosing appliances that are more energy efficient can result in savings on your power bill.
When purchasing appliances for your home, investing in models that have a higher energy rating will cost less to run. While most new appliances in Australia will have an energy rating sticker, you can also check the energy rating of your appliances here.
Change your routine
Appliances in your home such as televisions, microwaves, kettles, toasters and printers may continue to pull small amounts of energy (called idle power) even when they’re plugged in, but not in use. Turning these appliances off at the wall is a simple way to be more energy efficient in your home.
When you’re no longer using a room or you’re leaving the house, also be sure to turn off the lights and ceiling fans – these little acts can add up to more savings!
Easy ways to reduce your energy costs in your home
- Check that you are using LED lights
- Consider investing in sensors and solar lights
- Get your insulation checked by a professional
- Check your electrical items and their energy efficiency rating
- Switch appliances off at the wall and turn off lights and fans when you leave the house
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