Want to save energy without having to engage a contractor? Here are my top 10 DIY energy saving tips you can easily implement to make your home more energy efficient.
Many of the suggestions below include services you can have installed for free or at a discount under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. If you would like to know more about the current rebates available, head over to the Current Rebates section of the website.
Implementing the suggestions below safely requires a bit of practical health and safety knowledge. You should know how to handle a ladder, work safely at heights, and have some experience using tools. If you don't feel comfortable, ask a friend more confident in this area to assist you.
Install weather sealing on your external doors and windows. Draught proofing your external doors and windows is relatively easy and inexpensive. You can purchase door and window seals at Bunnings. For external doors, make sure you also seal the gap at the bottom of the door using an appropriate door seal. Air leakage within households can account for up to 25% of heat loss during winter. You can easily follow an instructional installation video like this one on Youtube to maximise winter energy savings.
Switch to LED light globes. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy at home. Changing to LED globes can reduce your lighting bill by up to 80% providing significant energy bill relief. You can use a wattage conversion chart to see what wattage LED globes you need to replace your existing lighting.
Plant deciduous trees in front of east and west facing windows. East and west facing windows receive solar radiation year round. Deciduous trees can help shade your windows during summer while allowing the sun to radiate in during the winter period.
Install ceiling insulation. Adding ceiling installation can reduce your heating / cooling bill by up to 20%.
Adjust the thermostat on your air conditioner. Set your air conditioner thermostat to 18-20 degrees in winter and 26 degrees in summer. Melbourne is a cold climate zone and every degree above 20 degrees can add 10% to your heating bill. You could also consider upgrading to a more efficient heater using VEU rebates.
Install a low-flow shower head. An average 4 person household could save approximately 700 litres of water per day by installing a good quality low-flow shower head. Less water used in the shower results in a lower water bill and less energy used for water heating.
Turn off appliances at the wall when not in use. Leaving appliances switched on at the powerpoint can add a substantial amount to your annual electricity bill. For example, did you know leaving your TV on standby mode can add over $27 per year to your bill?
Adjust the temperature settings on your fridge and freezer. The fridge is one of the most expensive appliances to run. Adjust the temperature settings to 4-5 degrees for the fridge and -15 degrees for the freezer.
Wash clothes on a cold setting. Setting your washing machine to wash with only cold water can save you up to $115 per year.
Install curtains or blinds that can be sealed properly in cold winter months to trap the heat in the home.
Would you like to better understand your home energy usage? See "Household Energy Consumption" to learn where you use the most energy at home and how best to reduce your consumption.