Renovating to reduce your energy bill

ARTICLE Dana Alexander

Many of us are facing higher than necessary energy bills. One of the main causes of this is the cost of heating, especially when the house is not draught proof. Cold air leaks in through cracks along window and doorframes. Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up these draughts. For windows that open, buy draught proofing strips to stick around the window frame. For windows that are fixed, a silicone sealant will work well.
We all keep saying it, but ensuring your home is adequately insulated is still the most important thing you can do when you’re renovating. Starting at the top and installing 120 millimetre ceiling insulation is a great first step to reducing heat loss in your home, and this is where you’ll see the biggest bang for your buck. This smart investment could save you anywhere from 10 to 50 per cent on your energy bill and will make your and your family’s life warmer, drier and less expensive to run for the next 50 years.
Did you know that a large part of your energy bill is used to heat up water for showers, washing machines and taps? Reduce your bill by cutting down on the amount of hot water you heat by installing efficient showerheads that limit water flow. You could also upgrade your water cylinder, wrap it it and lag your hot water pipes while you’re in there – another great way to save on energy.
Switching from conventional light bulbs to energy efficient lighting will save you about $111 over the bulb’s life span. Now imagine how much you would save if you replaced all of the bulbs in the house..
A surprising 75 per cent of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they’re turned off but still plugged in. This could add up to 5 to 10 per cent to your energy bill. These phantom users include televisions, gaming consoles, stereos, computers and many kitchen appliances. A simple solution? Get in the habit of turning them off! And if you’re throwing out old appliances while you’re redoing the kitchen – make sure you replace them with a high Energy Star rated appliance.

You might be interested in reading: Tips on how to lower your energy bill.

 

This article featured on page 37 of Issue 004 of Renovate Magazine. Renovate Magazine is an easy to use resource providing fresh inspiration and motivation at every turn of the page.

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