Are You Wasting Energy And Money In Your Home?*

If there is one thing that most of us are guilty of, it is wasting energy around the home. We often do not even realise that we are doing it. However, not only is this bad for the environment, but it is bad for your bank a balance too. So, it is a good idea to get to the bottom of your energy wastage so that you can put it right and save money in the process.

Is your thermostat programmed?
When you consider the fact that cooling and heating consumes almost 50 per cent of your energy in the home, you see why a programmable thermostat is a must. In fact, it is better to go one step further and invest in a smart thermostat. This will help you to save energy when no one is home while also making sure you do not have the temperature set too high. Did you know that you could reduce your energy bill by up to five per cent simply by lowering your thermostat?

Do you use sustainable and eco-friendly energy options in the home?
There are many ways you can make the switch to a more eco-friendly home environment. This includes investing in solar panels, such as those sold at the 4WD Supacentre. You should also make the switch from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs. Yes, this is going to cost you a little bit of money to begin with, but it will save you heaps of cash in the long run.

Do you wash all of your clothes in hot water?
You are probably already well aware of the fact that the washing machine is a big energy burner. However, did you know that 90 per cent of the energy used is for hot water? You do not need hot water for every load. Instead, only do hot washes for tough stains, and wash the rest of your clothes using cold water.

Do you leave electronics plugged in and lights switched on?
You didn’t think you would get to the end of this post without being asked this question, did you? Most people reading this will be guilty of doing one of these two things around the home – or both! Let’s deal with the electronics first. If your appliances or gadgets are plugged in, they use energy – yes, even if they are turned off! Whenever something is not in use, get into the habit of unplugging it completely and switching the plug off. You also need to get into the habit of turning your lights off. This is a difficult habit to break, but practice makes perfect! You can even get apps that enable you to monitor your home lights from your phone, so there is help available.

Hopefully, you have now got a better understanding as to whether you are wasting energy, and consequently your cash, around the home, as well as some tips on what you can do about it. If you follow the advice provide, you can make the switch to more sustainable living while freeing up some money in your bank account too.