With electricity costs in Adelaide always rising, most families and businesses are looking for ways to lower their energy bills and cut costs.
Electricity is such a constant in our lives that it’s often difficult to find ways to cut down our usage enough to see an impact on that energy bills.
Luckily, our electricians have some insider knowledge and have put together five great ways to lower your electricity bill without compromising comfort.
Solar Installation:
Using solar power is one of the best ways to not only see your electricity bills drop but also support green energy. While the upfront cost can be off-putting, installing a solar power system will more than pay for itself in the long run.
With Adelaide’s high number of sunlight hours, you might find that you’re able to cover a high percentage of your electricity needs using solar panels. Some households and businesses can even offset their bill if they generate extra energy that can be fed back into the grid.
Battery Backup Systems:
Backup battery systems are a way of making sure you always have power, even if there is a blackout. Some of the newer models are also able to charge during cheaper non-peak periods and power your house through peak hours.
If you have solar panels, batteries can store excess energy for use at nighttime, extending your savings even further. These systems are great for both residential and commercial properties. As a number of different companies, like Egen, Tesla, and Alevo, are making advancements in this area, you have a lot of options to choose from.
LED Lighting
The best LED lights use up to 80% less energy to produce the same amount of light as a regular incandescent or halogen globe and also cost less to run. Considering how often we need to use lights in our homes and businesses, it makes sense to look for the most energy-efficient option. The higher the wattage of your light globe, the higher the running cost, so LED’s with their lower energy needs help your electricity bills stay down.
Before you buy, look for the quality and energy ratings to make sure you’re getting a top-quality product. For extra savings, remember to switch lights off when you’re not using them – the longer they’re left on, the more energy you’ll burn through.
Energy Efficient Appliances
Most appliances are now rated on their energy efficiency, so when the time comes to upgrade your fridge, washing machine, or other appliances, look for energy use as well as price and product features. Appliances can count for up to 30% of your home energy usage, so choosing a more efficient option has the potential to really make a difference in your bill.
Another way to cut costs is by switching appliances off completely. TV’s, computers and other home entertainment items often use a standby mode to save time when they’re switched on. Unfortunately, this means that the whole time that the device idle, it’s churning through electricity. Switch them off at the socket and make sure that your energy usage stops when you stop watching.
Ceiling Fans
A typical air conditioning unit can use up to 3500 watts of energy while it’s running, so in the hot Adelaide summer, it can put a serious dent in your energy bill. An average ceiling fan running on high uses only 60 watts, so there’s a great opportunity to cut down costs by installing ceiling fans in your home.
To get the most out of the change, buy a fan with blades angled between 12 and 18 degrees. Any more or less and the blades won’t be able to efficiently move the air. Effective air circulation can make you feel up to 8 degrees cooler, using your body’s natural cooling system. Even if you only cut down your air conditioner use by a few hours, installing a ceiling fan has the potential to dramatically cut your energy usage.
These are long-term, energy-efficient solutions to help you lower your electricity costs in your home or business for years to come.
TPR Electrical are experienced in discovering which measures would be best for your needs. Our electricians take pride in providing helpful, individualised advice to our customers.
If you’d like to discuss any of these money-saving options, give us a call or make an online booking today!