Saving energy during the colder months not only benefits the environment but also puts money back in your pocket for the little pleasures that make winter special.
Here are some practical tips and strategies to keep your electrical bill low while staying warm and cozy in winter:
1. Know how to heating appliances efficiently
If you are making use of heaters in winter, only heating the room you are occupying will save you costs. Close all doors and windows to retain the heat.
2. Make sure your home is properly insulated
Draught-proof your home by sealing gaps around windows and doors to prevent heat loss. Use a draft stopper under doors to stop cool air from entering, and ensure that all windows are closed and covered by blinds or curtains. Proper insulation can make your home up to 5% warmer in winter.
3. Bulk up your bed
Use an electric blanket to warm your bed. Turn it on an hour before bedtime and switch it off when you get into bed. Alternatively, use hot water bottles to keep warm. They are effective and can be used while watching TV or in bed.
Unsplash / Jurien Huggins
4. Be water wise
When making hot drinks or hot water bottles, boil only the amount of water you need. The more water added to your kettle, the more electricity is used. Alternatively, boil a full kettle and take what you need, adding the remaining water to a flask to use later.
5. Skip out on underfloor heating
Underfloor heating can be inefficient as hot air rises and dissipates quickly. Avoid using it to save on electricity. Instead, get yourself a pair of thermal socks.
6. Keep an eye on appliances
Appliances on standby can consume up to 50% of their operating energy. Turn off appliances at the power point when not in use.
Unsplash / Abbey Houston
7. Swap to energy efficient lighting
Replace old incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs use up to 80% less electricity, and LEDs are even more efficient.
8. Gear up your geyser, or switch to solar heating
Use a geyser blanket and insulate the first 1.5 meters of pipes to reduce heat loss. Alternatively, consider replacing your conventional geyser with a solar water heating system or a heat pump. These options are significantly more energy-efficient.
9. Motion sensor lights for outdoors
If you keep outdoor lights on at night, consider installing motion sensor lights to save energy by ensuring they only operate when needed.
