15 No-cost Ideas to Save Power

/in /by

Electricity is expensive – make no bones about it. The secret is to save wherever you can without it costing you anything. It is time to think smart and to think out of the box so that you can put money back into your bank account instead of forking out more each month. 

Here are fifteen smart (and small), inexpensive ways to save on your power bill 

  • Turn off those unnecessary lights – switching off lights an extra couple of hours a day can save you over the long haul – it is time to switch to LED lighting 
  • Use task lighting – using side and table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights instead of ceiling lights will go a long way to saving power 
  • Hot water costs money – cutting shower and bath time will save you substantially 
  • Always switch off taps when brushing teeth, washing hands or shaving – by reducing your hot water usage you can cut costs  
  • Always unplug unused electrical devices – did you know that standby power can account for up to 10% of an average household’s annual electricity use? Always unplug unused electronics  
  • You don’t need the air conditioner to run while you are not in the room or not at home. Switch this off always 
  • Recycle or donate your old desktop computer and invest in a more energy-efficient laptop model 
  • It is time to declutter – start off by getting rid of your old TV – a huge energy consumer 
  • Switch off your geyser when you are not using it and only switch in on an hour before you need to bath or shower, and by lowering your thermostat by as little as two degrees you will save up to 5% on your electricity bill 
  • Block the sun from windows during the hot summer months – choose sun-filtered blinds in very hot climates 
  • During the hot summer months choose to make a barbeque (braai), salads and other fresh meals. Not only will you be a lot healthier, but will save you considerably in power bills 
  • Ensure your washing machine loads are always full and washed in cold water 
  • Using a tumble dryer is a huge energy devourer – not only will your clothes smell delightful when hung out in the sunshine, it will save you plenty of electricity. A tumble dryer is one of the biggest energy eaters in the home 
  • Your fridge and freezer should always be at the right temperature. During very hot spells try not to open the fridge unnecessarily 
  • Instead of using the oven, choose to use a griller, electric frying pan, toaster, rotisserie and microwave; a microwave takes 15 minutes to do the same job as 1 hour in an oven. Use a microwave instead of your oven at least four times a week 

There are many ways to save money in the home – the small things will save big in the long haul.