Most homeowners look for ways and means of saving electricity in their homes, but they also realise pretty soon that the SOS (Switch off Something) tactic doesn’t help save as much money as they anticipated it would. It takes much more than just switching off excess lights and electrical appliances to bring a noticeable change in your energy bills. Here are some of the best energy saving tips for your home :

Go to the https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/ website to compare the existing electricity and gas offers that are available in your suburb and local area. You just have to enter a few pieces of information about your household and can get the information you need.

It can be quite expensive to cool the entire house. Wherever possible shut doors to the rooms that aren’t being used and cool only those that you are spending most of your time in. It’s also good to draw the curtains and shut the blinds, especially when the weather outside is oppressively hot. Prevent cool air from leaking out by blocking draughts around windows and doors. Use some exterior shades like canvas awnings or external blinds.

Insulating your ceiling can make a significant difference to your energy bills. If your house already has insulation, simply check whether it’s rated correctly ad and that it has been installed well.

During summertime, it’s a good idea to set the thermostat to 26 degrees or >. During the cooler winter months, heating costs can easily account for more than 30% of your bill. This is why you should set the thermostat between 18 & 20 degrees. Every single degree above 20 adds 10% to the heating bill.

Turn them off when you leave any room as well as when you go to bed. Some ducting systems allow you to segment different rooms or areas. It’s also important that you turn off the cooling and heating when you leave your house.

You can easily save around $115 annually by using cold water in the washing machine cycles. Ensure you choose the shortest washing cycle and always wait till you have a wash-load of clothes.

The fridge is one home appliance that’s always on, which also makes it one of the most expensive appliances you own. Ensure that the door seals are tight so that no cold air escapes from the gaps. The ideal fridge temperature is generally 4 – 5 degrees while the freezer can be set to a temperature of minus 15-18 degrees Celsius. If you have more than one freezer or fridge, turn that on only when you really require it.

Thaw frozen food in the fridge as it will help reduce cooking time. Try to use the microwave when possible rather than using an electric oven. Reduce cooking time by keeping lids on pots when you are using the stove. When using the dishwasher, operate it in economy mode and run it only once it’s full.

In addition to these things, make it a point to use LED bulbs indoors and outdoors. They are 80% more energy-efficient than standard bulbs and provide the same amount of illumination at a much lower cost.