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Last updated on July 4, 2023

Australian summers can get blimin hot, so keeping your cool, and your home as cool and comfortable as possible can make a much happier life, but at what cost?

With a few simple adjustments, you can make your home more energy efficient, and enjoy the benefits of lower utility bills.

 

Australian Power Statistics – How Much You Could Save

In Australia, the average household spends about $2,200 a year on electricity. However, with a few simple changes, you could reduce your electricity bill by up to $800 a year. Here are some tips to help you keep your home energy efficient during the summer months:

 

  • Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners: Fans use less energy than air conditioners and can be effective at cooling your home. If they’re just not cutting it? Rather than making your aircon ice-cold, use fans simultaneously with aircon. It’s cheaper than lowering the temperature.
  • Use energy efficient light bulbs: LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer.
  • Ventilate and draw curtains or blinds during the day: This will help keep your home cooler and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
  • Turn off appliances and electronics when not in use: Standby power consumption can account for up to 10% of your total electricity usage. So make sure to turn off all appliances and electronics when you’re not using them.
  • Turning off lights

 

It’s important to remember to turn off all lights when you leave a room, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Every little bit helps!

 

Smart Homes & MyAir.

If you’re lucky enough to have the funds to install a MyAir smart home system in your house, then you’ll get many energy efficient automations.

  1. Cooling autonomy is triggered based on room use.
  2. Lighting autonomy occurs based on room use.
  3. Smart homes can open ventilation vents, windows, and draw blinds.

There’s an investment installing MyAir, but the savings accumulate and you’ll be running extreme energy efficiency within your home.

 

Air Conditioning

Air conditioners are often one of the biggest energy users in Australian households. But there are a number of ways you can keep your energy use down and still stay cool this summer.

Firstly, consider what size air conditioner you really need. A unit that is too large for the space it is cooling will use more energy than necessary. Secondly, make sure your air conditioner is properly maintained. A well-maintained air conditioner will be more efficient and use less power.

Thirdly, think about how you can use your air conditioner more efficiently. For example, using a fan in conjunction with your air conditioner can help to circulate the cool air more effectively and reduce overall energy usage. Finally, try to avoid using your air conditioner during the hottest part of the day – instead, open windows and doors to let in cooler air from outside.

 

Using fans

Using ceiling fans to keep your Hunter Valley home cool during the summer is a great idea., There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re being as energy efficient as possible. First, if you have ceiling fans, make sure they are rotating in the right direction – counterclockwise. If you get this wrong, you’ll be pushing hot air down, which is the opposite effect you want.

Push cold air down, creating a wind chill effect that will help cool down your room. Secondly, if you’re using floor fans, position them so they are blowing air across the room rather than directly at you. This will again create that wind chill effect and make the room feel cooler overall. And finally, when you’re not in the room, turn the fan off & shut all doors – there’s no point in cooling down an empty space!

 

Keeping curtains shut during the day and open at night

Curtains and blinds are great for keeping the heat out of your home during the day. By keeping them shut, you can reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, making it cooler and more comfortable. At night, open your curtains and blinds to let the cool air in. This will help to keep your home cooler and more comfortable during the night.

 

Closing all windows

As the weather gets warmer, it can be tempting to open up all the windows and doors in your home to let in the fresh air. However, this can actually make your home less energy efficient as cool air escapes and hot air enters. Instead, try closing all the windows and doors when the outside temperature is hotter than it is inside your home. This will help keep your home cooler and more energy efficient.

 

Block Drafts – Door Snakes

One of the most overlooked ways to minimise power consumption is to block drafts.

Drafts can come in through cracks and openings around doors and windows. They can also come up through floorboards and around electrical outlets. To block drafts, you can use weather stripping or caulk to seal cracks and openings. You can also use draft guards or door snakes to block drafts from coming under doors.

Door snakes are fun!

Summary

In the Australian summer, the sun blazes down for hours on end, making it difficult to keep your home cool and comfortable. Here’s a quick summary of tips that can reduce your power bill.

First, invest in some quality blinds or curtains. Thick curtains will help keep out the heat, while blinds will reflect it away from your windows. Keep them closed during the day to keep your home cooler.

Second, consider getting a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans use much less energy than air conditioners and can help circulate cool air around your home.

Make or buy a door snake, and seal those drafts. Drafts aren’t always cold, they’re letting hot air in too.

Finally, make sure you’re not wasting energy by leaving lights and appliances on when you’re not using them. Turn off lights when you leave a room, or get a timer installed to turn them off automatically. Unplug electronics that are not being used and don’t cool empty rooms.

By following these simple tips, you can help make your Hunter Valley home more energy efficient and save money on your utility bills this summer.

Thanks for reading. If you’re interested in any of the services we mentioned, please reach out. Coalfields Climate Control will happily assist.

Posted onDecember 4, 2022

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