The days are getting longer and we're starting to think about getting ready for summer.
We start to stock up on sunscreen – the Australian kind, designed with the highest UV protector on earth. But take a moment to think about the needs of your house too. Some properties may have air conditioning, but there is still the cost of electricity to consider. Here are some energy saving tips for the hotter months.
Pop your air conditioner on a timer
We can get a bit comfortable with popping the air conditioner on and then letting it run for the evening. But the truth is, it can often be shut down hours before we normally do it. And this is especially true in Spring when the temperature at night really drops when that big old sun goes to bed. So set the timer to 7.00pm, and be proud you're not only helping reduce emissions, but you're also saving lots on your next energy bill.
Make sure you have adequate insulation
Ensuring that your home is properly insulated will go a long way to reducing the amount of energy needed to cool your home. If your home is lacking in adequate insulation it'll be a hotbox come summer! Good quality roof insulation is a must if you want to save on energy bills, while wall insulation will keep your house cool.
Close off rooms that you are not using
Closing doors is a simple way to retain cool air and reduce costs and power consumption. It's also a good idea to shut off any air conditioning systems in unused rooms, such as spare bedrooms, if your system allows you to do this.
Close up those heavy curtains during the day
We all love the airy feeling of light summer curtains, but when it comes to summer, heavy curtains are total champions at blocking out the heat. You could even consider adding linings to unlined curtains. When the temperature eases up in the evening, open them back up – right in time for a beautiful late Spring sunset.
Keep the heat out
On hot days, the last thing you want is more heat in your house or apartment. That may mean staying out of the kitchen. Using ovens and stoves to cook meals raises the temperature in your home. Having a barbeque is a favourite Aussie pastime, but best of all it keeps the heat outside.
Interested to know the current value of your property? Click here to request an obligation-free appraisal today.
Source: On The Move
Disclaimer: The opinions posted within this blog are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of CENTURY 21 Australia, others employed by CENTURY 21 Australia or the organisations with which the network is affiliated. The author takes full responsibility for his opinions and does not hold CENTURY 21 or any third party responsible for anything in the posted content. The author freely admits that his views may not be the same as those of his colleagues, or third parties associated with the CENTURY 21 Australia network.