How to reduce your energy consumption while you spend more time at home - 6 ways to lower your carbon emissions and energy bill
If you’ve been spending more time at home with social distancing and working from home encouraged, you might’ve wondered how much more energy you’re using at home. More time at home doesn’t have to drastically impact your energy use. Try these simple methods to minimise your carbon footprint and energy bill.
1. Fill your freezer
A full freezer uses less energy than an empty one. There’s less room for warm air to enter when you open the freezer door, and the items already in there help to cool the air that does enter quicker, which reduces the energy used.
Doing some big batch cooking and stocking up your freezer with meal prep is not only great for those times you don’t feel like cooking, it also helps lower your energy use.
2. Kick phantom power to the curb
Phantom power is the energy being used by electronics when they're in standby mode. Reducing your phantom power use can drastically reduce your energy use.
Try to get into the habit of turning off appliances at the power outlet as soon as you finish using them.
Alternatively, using a smart power strip which detects when a device is in standby mode and cuts off power will do it for you so you don’t have to rely on your memory or forming a new habit.
3. Change your thermostat a few degrees
Every degree you can go lower for heating and higher for cooling saves energy.
You should still be dressed for the season you’re in, so expect to be wearing a cosy jumper in winter and go jumper free in summer. If you still need to use your heating or cooling system it shouldn’t be too drastically different to the weather outside.
As a guide, try to keep the thermostat temperature around 17-18 degrees Celsius in winter and 23-24 in summer. This can vary depending on the climate of your location.
4. Clean out your air conditioner filter
When dirt and dust build up in an air conditioner filter it means the air conditioner has to work harder to push the air through it.
Cleaning out the filter regularly not only has the health benefits of helping you breathe cleaner air, it also keeps your air conditioner working more efficiently, using less energy.
5. Wash clothes on the cold cycle
Heating water takes up a lot of energy. Using the cold wash cycle for your clothes will reduce your energy consumption and prevent the colours running.
6. Take a slightly cooler shower
Reduce the energy from your shower by turning down the heat a little.
This is also great for your skin and hair. A cold blast at the end of your shower can tighten your pores and reduce frizz in your hair.
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