Exploring the Environmental Impact of Power Use: 5 Ways to Lower Your Power Bill
As New Zealand and the wider world continue to battle the effects of climate change, it’s never been more important to consider the environmental impact of our power use. Here in Aotearoa, we get our electricity from both renewable and non-renewable sources.
Renewable energy means that it comes from a resource that is constantly replenished. For example, wind energy is always replenished by the wind – of which we have plenty in New Zealand. We use wind turbines to turn the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. We also use solar energy. Solar panels convert the constantly replenishable sunlight into electricity.
Non-renewable energy, such as fossil fuels, are a limited resource. Fossil fuels are made from the remains of dead plants and animals decomposed millions of years ago. This organic material turns into coal, oil, and natural gas that we collect and convert into electricity. Unfortunately, when we burn fossil fuels to create electricity, it releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is harmful to the environment.
While a lot of our energy in Aotearoa comes from clean, green renewable sources, we still get some of it from fossil fuels because it is a reliable energy source. When we turn our lights on, or watch a movie, we cannot decide where our electricity comes from. It comes from both sources. Therefore, we can reduce our impact on the environment by lowering our power use. By doing so, we can also lower our power bill and save money!
We have gathered our top 5 electricity saving tips, so you can be a hero for the environment and your wallet. Save money and our beautiful environment.
1. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
Did you know that your old appliances, such as your old fridge, chest freezer, aircon, and oven, are likely causing a spike in your energy bills? These older appliances are not very energy efficient. Therefore, they use more electricity to do their jobs, costing you more money, and increasing your carbon footprint. You can mitigate this by investing in energy efficient appliances. Upgrade to a new fridge, chest freezer, washing machine or oven that has a high energy star rating. While they may cost more to purchase up-front, they will use less energy to do their jobs, and save you money on your power bill in the long run. A great long term solution to saving energy!
How Energy Efficient Appliances Save Your Money
2. Give Appliances TLC
How often do you clean the filter in your heat pump? Or declutter your fridge and chest freezer? If there is a dust buildup in the heat pump filter, it will have to work harder to warm up, or cool your home, costing you more on energy. If your fridge is full, the unit will need to work harder to keep your food cold. Routinely cleaning and decluttering appliances will ensure they can work optimally, saving you money on power.
3. Choose Cold Water
It takes energy to heat up water. Avoid running your washing machine on hot water and try sticking with cold water washes for the most part. Modern detergents do a great job of cleaning your clothes. Save the hot water washes for your bed sheets after you’ve been sick or when there are stains. Also be sure to only run the dishwasher when it’s full. Save money on water, and money on heating up that water.
4. Turn Appliances Off When Not Using Them
Are you going out of town for the weekend? Or are you just not using the lights in that room? Turn things off – and at the wall! When you aren’t using your appliances, they fall into standby mode, or vampire power, meaning that they use a small amount of power so that they can be used when you’re ready. This small amount of power adds up! Turn them off at the wall when you aren’t using them. Consider also swapping your light bulbs to LEDs so that when you have them on, they will use less energy to shine!
5. Check Doors and Windows
In the winter, you’ll want to preserve the warmth generated from the sun and your heat pump. On the other hand, you’ll want to keep the cool air from your aircon trapped inside during the summer. Before the change in seasons, it’s a good idea to check your doors and windows and make sure that they close properly so that you can trap the heat or cool air, and avoid having to make your heat pump or air con work harder. Save energy for the environment and your budget!
Compare Power
One of the best ways to save money on your power bill is to compare. Power Compare’s user-friendly comparison platform empowers you to compare different power plans and providers and easily find a better deal that delivers value and savings within just a few minutes. You can select your preferences based on your unique household needs to ensure you’re comparing all the options available to you.
Here at Power Compare, we leverage the power of knowledge to ensure you’re making a fully informed choice, and therefore, choosing the best deal. Compare and save money today. And our platform is bias-free, hassle-free, free to use, and quick. Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to save money on power so you can smile that little bit more this season. Go on, you deserve it.