Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to be difficult.

In fact, by making some surprisingly easy adjustments to your day-to-day lifestyle, it’s possible to achieve meaningful changes to your domestic energy usage.  And if you add technology to the mix, the possibilities for improvements in sustainability and energy efficiency become even greater.

Let’s take a look at five top tips for a more energy efficient home:

Tip 1 – Cool down on your heating

Keeping your home warm can eat up around 18% of your energy bill.  That’s a big number, but if you make a few small changes, you can lower your costs and stay toasty at the same time.

When you’re using your heating system, remember that each degree over 20⁰C uses around 10% more energy so it’s worth doing things a little differently whenever you can.   Throw on another jumper, pull on your Uggs, add some fiery chilli to your meal, use an electric blanket instead of a heater and rug up under a warm throw (which doubles up as a stylish decor accessory when it’s not being used!).

And you should apply the same principle in hot weather too.   Instead of using the airconditioning system, switch to energy-efficient ceiling or pedestal fans and create cooling ventilation by opening up windows and doors.

Tip 2 – Invest in insulation

Investing in quality insulation for the external surfaces of your home (ceiling, walls and floors) is probably the best way to create a more energy-efficient home and reduce your bills.  When the insulation material is installed properly, it will help to maintain a more even and comfortable temperature inside your home.

Remember, glass is a poor insulator so you should consider double-glazing your windows so you don’t lose or gain too much heat through the glass.  Also keep an eye out for draughts coming in under doors and through poorly sealed windows as these can play havoc with temperature control.

Tip 3 – Take action on appliances

We can’t do without our domestic appliances like fridges, washing machines and dishwashers, but there are plenty of things we can do to make them more energy efficient.   Always choose appliances that have a better energy rating and keep them well-maintained and in good condition.

For a fridge and freezer, each degree over 5⁰C for the fridge and -15⁰C for the freezer uses five per cent more energy and if there’s dust on the condenser coil, you could be using even more unnecessary energy.  Check that the seals are tight and keep these appliances well-maintained and at optimal temperatures and you should see the benefits reflected in your household bills.

Always use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher for optimum efficiency and don’t waste energy on half-loads.  The same is true for washing machines, and remember, using cold water can reduce energy use by up to 80%.

Tip 4 – Be shower savvy

Shorter showers are waterwise, but did you know that reducing your shower time to four minutes can save you hundreds of dollars each year?  A basic shower timer is a great way to keep an eye on things and make a difference to your pocket and to the planet.  You should also switch to a 3-star rated shower head and install low-flow converters to your taps.

Tip 5 – Home automation

A home automation system is a great way of using technology to make your home more energy efficient.  Not only do these systems allow you to control a variety of features and appliances in your home from any digital device, they can also play a surprisingly important role in making your home more energy efficient.

An integrated home automation system (which can be retrofitted into an existing home) provides you with a wealth of information about your domestic power usage.  You can see when and where energy is being used so you can control and manage your appliances and systems at home (such as lighting, heating, cooling, TVs, computers etc) to improve efficiencies and avoid unnecessary power consumption.

When you consider that audio visual systems can contribute up to 18% of your home’s energy bill and lighting can add up to 11% of your total usage, imagine what a difference smart technology could make?  With an integrated home automation system such as the Fibaro system offered by Crown Security, the power to make a real difference to your home’s energy efficiency would be in your hands (literally!).

For more information on how you can use smart technology to make your home more energy efficient, contact the experts in home automation in Perth, Crown Security. They’re also experts in the installation of high-quality alarm systems, CCTV, smart wiring, and a wide range of smart home items to up the ante in-home convenience.

Give our friendly team a call on 08 9400 6000 for a no-obligation chat or contact us for more information