Saving on Energy Costs

Lighting

- It is perhaps the easiest to save electricity here. Simply replace all your light bulbs with compact fluorescent

lights (CFL) and you would save 70% from your daily energy usage.

- CFL may be more expensive than ordinary bulbs but they are worth the investment as they last over 10 times

longer and use up to four times less energy.

- Turn off the lights every time you leave a room.

- During the day, use as much natural lighting as you can by drawing open the blinds or curtains.

- You can even install a skylight to get more light in!

- To save on electricity use for outside security lighting at night, install a motion sensor to automatically shut off

the lights after a set period.

Ironing

- Iron only the clothes you really need to iron. Don't bother ironing underwear or handkerchiefs.

- Try to buy clothes made from “iron-free” or “wrinkle-free” materials.

- Hang your clothes quickly after washing; don't let them sit in the dryer.

- Do all of your ironing in one session.

- Switch off the iron if you need to go somewhere in the middle of your ironing.

Air conditioner

- Set the air-conditioner at the highest temperatures that you are comfortable with to preserve as much power

as you can.

- Get a timer and set it to turn off about the time when you leave for the day and to turn back on when you get home.

- Ensure all doors and windows are closed when the AC is on.

- Do not block the air vent and condenser.

- Install shades, awning and drapes to keep your room and house cool.

- Better still, use ceiling fans instead of air-conditioning to keep cool.

Fridge and Freezer

- Put your fridge somewhere away from direct sunlight, the cooker and oven.

- Vacuum clean the condenser coils at the back or underneath your fridge/ freezer regularly because accumulated

dust reduces their efficiency by up to 25%, adding the cost to your electricity bill.

- Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly. An iced-up freezer will make the freezer work harder, therefore using

more energy than needed.

- Don't put warm or hot food into the fridge. It will use more energy to cool the food down.

- Keep liquids covered when putting them in the fridge. Evaporation of uncovered liquids will make the fridge use

more electricity.

- Defrost frozen food in the fridge; this helps to cool it.

Washer and dryer

- Only use the machine when there is a full load.

- Set the water temperature low before you start washing. The washing machine uses the biggest chunk of energy

between 85% and 90% - just to heat up the water for the washes.

- Hang your clothes out to dry rather than use the tumble dryer when the weather is favorable.

Other electrical devices

- Do not leave your electrical devices on standby when not using them. This is actually a waste of energy. Appliances

left on standby use up to 85% of the energy they would use if fully switched on.

- Always unplug and switch off the main power when not using your electrical devices.

Cooker and microwave

- When cooking, always use the correct size pan or pot so no extra energy is used to heat the excess.

- Cook many items at the same time when your electric cooker or oven is hot.

- To reheat food or to cook small portions, use a microwave. Although a microwave uses a lot of power, it does so

over a very short time and so saves energy overall.