A new season has fallen on us amongst the beauty of changing colours, piles of leaves to play in and the fresh smell of rain. The winter storms give us a profound appreciation of the strength of mother nature, listening to the cracking thunder and seeing the pure energy of lightning surging through our skyline. We crave warmth and a home that is inviting, yet cosy with the longing of hot chocolate and the aroma of mulled wine, embracing all that winter has to offer. Unfortunately, as we hibernate at home with our creature comforts, the use of our electricity undeniably increases over the winter period. It is a time of year to ensure your home is running as efficiently as possible and safely with heating cranked up, tumble dryers and pot belly wood burners on the go.
In Western Australia, Synergy offers residential customers variable rates, depending on the time of day electricity is used. Synergy breaks it down into three parts, peak, shoulder, and off peak, encouraging homeowners to shift their usage. Off-peak and shoulders times are typically more cost effective, whereas the peak period that is between 3pm and 9pm increases to a higher rate. This is a key starting point to make an informed decision when to turn on your washing machine, clothes dryer and dishwasher. We all know to take shorter showers, turn unused appliances and lights off and introduce LED bulbs, but there is more to it. These are our top tips to maintain your home and energy this winter.
Do you have ducted reverse cycle heating or a wall split system? Technology has advanced considerably and most air-conditioning now have programmable thermostats, that enable homeowners and tenants to tailor their heating to specific times of the day. Smart thermostats can be managed from your mobile phone, giving you the ultimate control 24/7. It is recommended to set your internal temperature between 18⁰ and 20⁰, the lower you set the temperature when cooling and the higher you set when heating, your power bill is impacted as your air conditioner is working harder, consuming more electricity. Air conditioning units unfortunately have to work harder to offset harsher climates.
An electric blanket disperses heat through built-in wires creating the perfect night’s sleep with a warm bed to climb into. It takes the chill out and for many a great relief to body aches and pains. It is cost effective and consumes little energy, costing approximately 4 cents an hour. Electric blankets can be an excellent alternative to space heaters in the bedroom. Today many electric blankets come with timers that can be pre-set to switch off, ensuring safety and supporting a well-rested and peaceful night. Space heaters can be costly but it helps to shop around and understand the energy efficiency and the room in which you want to heat. If the heater is small and you are wanting to warm a large room, it will run excessively to reach a level that is comfortable to you. It pays to do your homework and choose your method of heating.
Hot water is known to be a large contributor to our power bill but so can our older appliances! Did you know that an aged refrigerator is one of the largest energy consumers in your home and among the worst offenders? Install a water efficient showerhead, it is easy to do and will give you a return on your investment quickly. It may not seem much, but every little thing adds up and you are not only saving in water but electricity! Environmentally friendly appliances have proven to be more economical in their energy. It may be time to dispose of the old and invest in the new to reap the benefits of being energy efficient and saving on water, electricity and hundreds of dollars annually.
If you want a long-term solution, solar energy has become a natural energy source and has become increasingly popular to reduce both your home energy bill and carbon footprint. Solar power is low maintenance and for prospective tenants and buyers, it makes your property more attractive to rent or purchase. Along side solar power, work toward a Smart home if you don’t have one already. LED lighting is a no brainer, but if you leave appliances, lighting and heating running all day you are still burning energy and dollars. A smart home is an automated system that will allow you to manage your lighting, climate, entertainment system and appliances from your mobile phone. In some instances, home security such as access control and alarm systems are added to this. When you rush out of your home in a hurry, you have control over your spending at the touch of a button, you no longer need to be shouting at the kids to turn off the lights.
At Universal Electro Tech and Universal Switchboards, we work with our clients to find the most effective energy solution for your property, while keeping your lights on and home cosy. Give our team of multi skilled electricians a call to assess how we can help you put money back in your pocket, keeping you smiling through winter. Benjamin Franklin wisely said “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Universal Electro Tech, Universal Switchboards and Professional cabling Services admin@uet.net.au | www.uet.net.au | (08) 9328 9491 | pcs@procabling.com.au | www.procabling.com.au/ | (08) 9478 5311 located at 105 Robinson Avenue, Belmont, WA 6104 and Unit 4/4 Picton Road, WA Bunbury 6230.
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