As we welcome in the New Year, we’re already thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. It might be common to consider things like health and wellbeing, priority of your relationships, or even how much you’re working. Though these are great things to consider, you may also want to add “environmental impact” to your list of resolutions, so your positive change can have worldwide benefits (and be a little easier to uphold… How many years has your resolution been diet, again?). Here at NuWay Solar, we’ve developed all the tips, tricks, and advice on how to turn your home into an energy-efficient wonderland this year – saving you both money and guilt in the long run.
Reduce power bills by using solar panels
One of the best ways to save money on your power bill and contribute effectively to the environment around you is to start using solar panels. As the popularity of solar panels in Australia increases, so do the number of available options, so you can easily find one that fits your specific needs and budget. Similarly, solar systems are becoming more and more affordable and can generate a lot of energy, especially in warmer climates like here in Australia.
Slash your carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions AND energy bills by installing home solar panels where possible. Read more on how to optimise your solar panel usage here.
Upgrade to energy-efficient LED lights
Switching to LEDs is one of the easiest ways to lower your power bills and carbon footprint. The LED bulbs that are available today use at least 90% LESS energy than traditional light bulbs. Plus, they’ll last for years longer and are much safer than traditional lights. This won’t just save you on your electricity bill, but will also save you a few dozen trips to the store if you implement them throughout your home.
Upgrade gas hot water to heat pump
Heat pump water heaters absorb warmth from the air and transfer it to heat water. For this reason, they’re sometimes referred to as “air source heat pumps”. They operate on electricity but are roughly 3 times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters. When used in the right environment, they save energy, money, and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A modern heat pump hot water heater is 4 times as efficient when powered by your home solar system. Swap out your gas storage hot water system with a modern heat pump connected to your solar system to reduce the cost of a long shower from 80 cents each, to only around 10 cents.
Make your next car electric
One of the most significant contributors to household greenhouse gas emissions? Petrol and diesel powered cars, responsible for 38% of total household emissions on average.
The cost of electricity required to charge an electric vehicle is around 40% less than the cost to use petrol for a similar sized vehicle driving the same distance, according to studies by WhichCar. The cost will be even lower if you charge your electric car from your solar panel PV system, or at free charging stations.
Though Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles do have petrol or diesel engines that will need services, Battery Electric Vehicles have fewer moving parts than a conventional petrol/diesel car, making servicing easy, less frequent, and overall cheaper than a petrol/diesel alternative. This means, if you make a discerning decision, you can save on more than just your electricity bill.
The Queensland Government also provides a discount on stamp duty for the purchase of an EV, plus on-going discounts on registration, giving you all the incentive to opt-out of petrol/diesel and join the electric car bandwagon. It might sound a little far-fetched for some, but in the coming years electric vehicles will only continue to grow in popularity; why not integrate as early as possible?
Declutter and reassess your space (and its many appliances)
One of the best ways to improve a home’s function is by decluttering and organising your space. This might seem a little redundant, but by reassessing your home’s appliances you can actually save a lot of money and emissions in the long run. By simply upgrading old, outdated appliances with new efficient models, households can save dramatically. Here are a couple tips to keep in mind when reassessing your appliances:
Consider “Do I need this” when dealing with small appliances. If you have a huge collection of small appliances, your electricity bill might be feeling it a lot more than you think.
Look for a well-insulated electric oven as they are more sustainable than gas ovens. If your oven needs are smaller? Consider a combined microwave/convection oven, which reduces total energy use.
Select a fridge that suits your needs. If it’s too small, you’ll likely be cramming it too full, resulting in uneven cooling. If it’s too large, it’ll use more energy than required. Get the ideal size, so your energy use will only power what’s necessary.
Opt for energy efficient models. Many appliances are required to include an energy ratings label which can help you make the right decision.
Conclusion
Unlike usual resolutions, a New Year’s resolution revolving around the energy-efficiency of your home is one of the best ways to contribute to not only the world around you, but the well-being and lifestyle of the household too. Here at NuWay Solar, we prioritise energy efficiency because we understand its contribution to your energy bill. We hope our tips, tricks, and advice on how to turn your home into an energy-efficient wonderland will help you save money (and guilt) in the long run. Here’s to finally checking a New Year’s resolution off that list!
If you want to learn more about how NuWay Solar can help you save money and emissions with professional installation and services on household solar panels, enquire here today or explore our full list of services. We’ve been servicing Queensland with high-quality solar systems for over a decade, and we come back as many times as necessary to handle your questions, concerns, and care for your home solar system.