Energy-Saving Tips To Lower Your Electricity Bill
- by XpatAthens
- Tuesday, 27 September 2022
Energy prices are expected to continue to rise over the coming months, so it is now more crucial than ever to come up with ways to reduce the amount of electricity we use.
Here are some simple steps that will not only help you trim your bill, but also make your home more eco-friendly!
Turn off standby appliances
It may be convenient to leave a device on standby and wake it up quickly with just a click or the press of a button on a remote, but this can be expensive. On the other hand, unplugging idle electronics can save you a lot of money. And, if you don’t want to turn a device off, you can at least put it into sleep mode. Computers, televisions, and most remote-controlled devices have a sleep mode, a low-power mode that saves significantly on electricity compared to leaving a device fully on.
Wash clothes at a lower temperature
Washing at 30 rather than 40 degrees can help reduce your energy usage and save up to 30-50 euros a year. Modern washers work just as well at lower temperatures, so there’s no need to worry about your clothes not getting cleaned. You will also save even more money on your energy bill if you cut out one wash cycle per week.
Defrost the freezer
The refrigerator does not consume much energy, especially compared to other appliances. This is the case with no-frost refrigerators. However, if you have an older model, ice may build up in the freezer, causing it to use more energy to maintain the low temperatures. Except for defrosting it regularly, you also need to make sure your fridge and freezer are well-sealed to keep the cold air where it belongs. A bad seal allows energy to seep out, draining your wallet in the process.
Use the air conditioner economically
We live in Greece, and the summer heat can be exhausting. However, this doesn’t mean we should run the air conditioner on full blast to achieve arctic-cold temperatures. Usually, 26-27° is fine. The same goes for winter. If it’s freezing outside, it’s not wise to adjust the temperature to 30°. A temperature of 19–20° can make the space warm without breaking the bank.
Cost-effective energy efficiency investments
Swap out your lightbulbs
Swapping out the bulbs in your most-used light fixtures with LED bulbs that bear the Energy Star label can save up to 70–80 euros. You can calculate how much money you will save yourself. A LED lamp of 10 watts consumes 10 times less power than a conventional lamp of 100 watts.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances
If you’re in the market for a new appliance, invest in an energy-efficient one to save money over the long run. Give priority to the ones you use the most, such as the refrigerator, air conditioner, TV, washer, and dryer, and the ones that consume the most energy, like the kitchen and the vacuum cleaner.
Install a solar water heater
Installing a solar water heater may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but the electricity savings achieved are immediate and significant. In fact, with a solar water heater, energy consumption can be 60% lower, which means you will be saving up to 150–200 euros a year.