NO-COST WAYS OF SAVING MONEY AND ENERGY
Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc.
During hot months, keep curtains closed on the north, east, and west windows. In winter, let the sun in and at sunset you can close the curtains to keep that nice warmth in your house.
Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while.
Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.
When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwave oven instead.
Dress appropriately for the weather.
Use an extra blanket on the bed during winter time.
In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of air conditioners, and ventilate at night this way when practical. Fans cost less to use than air conditioners.
Check the furnace or air conditioner filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment’s life.
About 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. To save hot water, take five-minute showers instead of baths. Do only full loads when using the clothes washer or dishwasher. Use cold water for laundry and save costs.
Only heat or cool the rooms you need—close vents and doors of unused rooms.
Geysers
- Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 15% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater. Therefore please consider the following: Take showers instead of baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household.
- Set thermostat of electrical geysers at 55 – 60 degrees C. Make sure the geyser and all hot water pipes in the roof are well insulated with a geyser blanket or even fibreglass.
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Solar heating units could reduce the geyser’s electricity consumption by 40% to 50%.
This would result in a saving of about 200kWh to 250kWh of electricity per month, depending on the number of geysers and the size of the family.
Lights
- Switch lights off when they are not needed.
- Use fewer bulbs with higher wattages. For instance, one 100 watt bulb produces the same light as two 60 watt bulbs.
- Dimming switches reduce electricity consumption.
- Use compact fluorescent lamps CFL instead of ordinary bulbs.
- Use low-energy lamps for exterior lighting.
Heating
- Use the correct heaters. Infrared electricity heaters are more efficient. An oil filled heater is the safest type of heater.
- Insulate the ceiling and seal air gaps in the home.
- Ensure that heaters have thermostats.