Remember the cheapest form of electricity is the energy you don't use

Try to use your power in the day when your solar is producing power and try to reduce power use when the sun goes down for the best saving from a grid connected solar system

Energy Saving Tips

Here are a few ideas on how to cut your electricity costs. Any other tips or ideas are most welcome

Air conditioner (Big energy user)

Set air conditioner to recirculate mode when heating/cooling

Dehumidify setting will use a lot less energy 

15 to 20% can be saved by increasing the temperature above 25 degrees in summer 

Upgrade old air conditioners to efficient inverter models

Clean filters regularly and get your system serviced

Home heating and cooling (Big energy user)

A combination of electric roof extraction and ceiling fans can be a cost effective alternative to air conditioning

Ceiling fans use very little power and can be left on low on hot days to lower temperature even when the house isn't occupied

Use heaters with thermostat controls 

Close your curtains and shut doors and windows, close doors to unused rooms

Only heat & cool rooms you are actually using

Insulate walls and ceilings including the garage

Block gaps and cracks

Rug up!

Cooking (Big energy user)

Use microwave ovens where possible

Match pot size to what you are cooking

Check oven seals

Avoid opening oven doors when cooking

Use appropriate cooking temperatures

Cook several dishes at once

Gas BBQs can reduce your energy usage

Electric Water heating ( Big energy user)

Set thermostat to comfortable level (60 degrees) by a licenced electrician

Insulate pipes and tanks

Fix drips and leaks

Check pressure release valves for leaks

Turn off when away

Reduce hot water use

Upgrade to solar hot water heater to a heat pump and fit a timer to run in solar time


Pool pumps and cleaning (Moderate energy user)

Back flush filters regularly

Speak to your pool shop about energy efficient pool pumps

Speak to your pool shop about LED pool lights

Refrigeration (Moderate energy users)

Keep fridges and freezers defrosted

Clean the cooling coils behind the fridge once a year

Make sure door seals are working properly

Leave space around the fridge to allow the heat generated to escape

Turn off extra fridges when not in use

Set the thermostat to the correct temperature

Each extra fridge can cost approximately $250+ per year, so consider upgrading rusty old beer fridges to new efficient models

Washing and drying clothes (Moderate energy users)

Use cold water

Wash with a full load

Dry outdoors where possible (clothes dryers are heavy energy users)

Spin dry the clothes before placing in the dryer

Don’t over load or under load dryers

Gas heated clothes dryers may be a lot cheaper to run 

Lighting (Moderate energy users)

Replace halogen down lights and incandescent lights LED lights

Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms

Use natural light where possible (be aware of that sunlight brings radiant heat into your building)

Fit motion sensors to switch off lights when rooms aren't in use

Turn off outside lights or fit sensors to reduce on time while still maintaining security  

Light dimmers do save some power, but they do create a loss and are not always the best alternative for power saving

Dishwasher (Moderate energy users)

Run dishwashers only when fully loaded

Connect the dishwasher to hot water if possible

Let the contents dry naturally

Other appliances

Modern TVs use around 150-400 Watts and if left on for long periods can increase your energy usage moderately

Standby equipment use small amounts of energy, sometimes the time sent resetting timers doesn't warrant the savings.

Empty vacuum cleaner bags and clean filters

Save your ironing until you have several items to iron

Use an electric blanket rather than heating a room 

PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH ANY EXTRA TIPS

For more information contact Rod Grono on:

Mobile 0416 209 716 or Email westernsydneysolar@live.com

PO Box 5867 South Windsor NSW Australia 2756

Western Sydney Solar