20 free energy saving tips for your home

Who said sustainable homes are all about solar panels and expensive energy-efficient technology? Here are 20 free energy saving tips for your home that could help you save energy as well as money.

Efficient heating and cooling

1. Insulate your home - plug the leaks on the floor, walls and ceiling, and don’t let the warm or cool air (depending on the weather) escape. 

2. In summers, draw the curtains closed during the day to prevent the sun’s heat from warming up the house. And in the evenings, leave the windows open to let the breeze cool your home free of cost! 

3. When you do use air-conditioning, shut out rooms that don’t need to be cooled or heated so that the appliance can work faster and more efficiently.

4. Remember that every 1 degree higher for heating and 1 degree lower for cooling can add 10% to the running costs of your appliance. Ideally, the smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your costs. That is why the recommended temperature setting for winter is between 18°C and 21°C, and for summer it’s between 23°C and 26°C.

5. Let your air-conditioner breathe freely and work better by cleaning the air filters. 

6. Use electric blankets instead of heating up the entire room. They use less energy and can heat up in 15 minutes, after which you can turn it off or switch to a lower setting.

In your kitchen

7. Your fridge is running 24 hours a day, every day. So you want to make sure it’s working at its efficient best. The ideal temperature for an energy efficient fridge is between 3°C and 5°C and for a freezer it is between -15°C and -18°C. 

8. Place the refrigerator away from direct sunlight or heat sources in a well-ventilated spot. 

9. Don’t make your fridge use extra energy to cool things you’re not going to use. Get rid of the old (or rotten!) stuff so there’s enough room for the cool air to circulate. 

10. Make sure the condenser coils at the back of the fridge or freezer are clean and dust free. 

11. Thaw frozen food in the fridge before putting it in the microwave. 

12. Use pots and pans according to the size of the burner. Using a small pot on a large burner or vice versa can just waste energy. 

13. While cooking, go for the microwave instead of the oven because it cooks food three times faster than standard full size ovens. 

14. Avoid opening the oven door when it’s working because every time you open it heat will escape making the cooking time longer. Instead, use the oven light to check on the food.

For the laundry

15. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water instead of hot water. It’s not going to affect the quality of wash and it can really help reduce the amount of energy being used for every cycle. 

16. Line dry your laundry instead of using the dryer. It might take a little longer, but the electricity used and the consequent charges will be much lower and worth the extra time. 

17. Whenever you do use the washing machine or the dryer, don’t underload or overload the appliances. Fill them to their optimum usage for energy efficient results.

18. Clean up the dryer’s lint filter so that it doesn’t use extra electricity.

Home lighting

19. Whenever possible, use natural light instead of switching on the light globes. Try and adjust the seating areas around windows and balconies to bask under the sun’s glorious light. 

20. Remember to switch off the lights whenever you’re not using them. Don’t leave the bathroom bulb on if no one’s using it.

Bonus tip

21. We know we promised you 20 energy saving tips but we’re feeling generous so here’s a bonus tip to help you save money! Compare energy providers to see if you’re on the best plan. Use Mozo’s free energy comparison tool and see how much you can save by switching to the cheapest plan!