Welcome to the 3rd edition of our newsletter blog: Solar Power Questions – Learn from IPS.
Our goal is to help you understand the basics of solar power systems, so you may make informed and educated choices.
If you missed our previous Newsletter Blogs, you can find them here: IPS Newsletter Blog
Today’s Solar Power Question: “What are the top 10 ways to save energy in your home and reduce your utility bills?”
Here’s how to save energy in your home, and guess what? It’s easy!
1. Wear the right clothes
Dress for the temperature. Layering clothes and wearing wool helps keep you warm in winter, and means you can turn your heater down.
2. Shut doors and close curtains
Heating or cooling the whole house can be expensive. Where possible, shut doors to areas you are not using and only heat or cool the rooms you spend the most time in.
Make sure your curtains or blinds seal your windows properly, and keep your curtains closed at night, and during the day when there is a heat-wave. Block drafts around doors and windows to stop air leaking out, or in.
3. Set your thermostat
In the winter heating can account for over 30% of your bill. Set your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees. Every degree above 20 can add 10% to your heating bill. In summer, set your thermostat to 26 degrees or above.
4. Turn heaters and coolers off when you don’t need them
Turn off when you leave the room, or go to bed. With some ducted heating systems you can turn off the heating in the rooms that are unoccupied. Make sure all your heating or cooling is turned off when you leave the house.
5. Wash clothes using cold water
You can save around $115 per year by washing clothes in cold water. You can also save by making sure you select the shortest appropriate washing cycle and waiting until you have a full load.
6. Run your fridge efficiently
Your fridge is always on, making it one of your most expensive appliances. Make sure the door seal is tight and free from gaps so cold air can’t escape. An ideal fridge temperature is 4 or 5 degrees and an ideal freezer temperature is minus 15 to minus 18 degrees Celsius. If you have a second fridge or freezer, only turn it on when you need it.
7. Insulate your roof
An insulated ceiling makes a big difference to your energy bills. If you already have insulation installed, check that it is properly installed and has the right rating (measured in ‘R-value’).
8. Stop standby power waste
Did you know your phone charger is still using energy even when your phone is not attached? Up to 10% of your electricity could be used by gadgets and appliances that are on standby.
A standby power controller will automatically reduce standby time and switch appliances off when not in use. You may be eligible for a discounted standby power controller.
9. Skip the heat-dry setting for the dishwasher
That heat-dry setting is expensive. De-select it and, based on one load of dishes a day, save up to $37 for the year.
10. Use energy-efficient light bulbs
Replace old incandescent and halogen light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs save power and last longer.
Do you have any other great tips on how to save energy in your home and reduce your utility bills? We would love to hear them!
We look forward to your questions and comments and please feel free to share this post if you think it might be helpful to someone you know.
Contact IPS today
Phone: 250-769-2843
Email: Sales@IPWR.net
#101 – 2387 Dominion Rd
West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2Y4
Canada