How to minimise energy consumption in summer

Summertime, and the living is easy. Or so the song goes. But are you able to make it a little cheaper too? Follow our six energy saving tips for summer and see a real difference in your energy consumption and your energy bills too. And the best thing? They’re really easy to follow and don’t cost a great deal of money either.

1. Shady dealings

Keep your home cooler in summer by shutting blinds, curtains or shutters. This will keep much of the sun, and therefore the heat, out and will save you having to use air conditioning or other cooling systems to reduce the heat. Anything you already have will be fine, but if you want to maximise the energy saving, add thermal blinds or make sure your next curtains have sun blocking properties. And the bonus? In winter, shutting the blinds and curtains will also keep the cold out, which means you will save on heating bills too.

2. Fan-tastic ideas

Did you know that running a ceiling fan is one of the cheapest ways of cooling a room? For little more than the cost of a light bulb, you will be able to maintain a comfortable temperature without having to resort to expensive air-conditioning systems. And because they are silent, you can even have them on in your bedroom during the night, and the breeze will make you feel three or four degrees cooler.

3. Turn up the heat

In summer, turn up your thermostat by a couple of degrees. You probably won’t even notice the difference, but it means that the air-conditioning or cooling system will kick in a bit later and because for every degree you can save 1–2% of your cooling bill, it is certainly worth doing! Also, don’t leave systems running when you’re out for the day — use the time clock or a simple plug-in device to set your system to come on half an hour before you get home.

4. Hung out to dry

While we all love our clothes dryer, summer is the perfect time to give it a holiday too. With the nice weather all around, simply hang your clothes on a line or drying rack and next time you look they will be dry. Even better, they will wear less when not going in the dryer too, and nothing beats the smell of clothes that have been dried in the fresh air. Similarly, save energy by turning off your dishwasher before the drying cycle; just open the door a bit and the summer air together with the remaining heat in the machine will dry the items inside.

5. Micro-managing

Did you know that microwaves are the most energy-efficient way of cooking? In summer, save time and money by heating your food in the microwave, which is much more efficient than your cooker. Also, using the microwave will generate less heat in the kitchen, which means that the surroundings are less hot too. If you don’t have a microwave, why not make more use of the BBQ? That way, you’ll be saving energy and your home will stay cooler too.

6. Get out of the house!

Don’t worry, you’re not being evicted. But when the weather is good, spending more time outside will mean a saving on your electricity bills. You won’t be sitting inside watching the TV, playing electronic games or using the computer, as well as lighting and cooling systems. Instead, spend quality time outside in the garden, on the balcony or on the patio, with a nice candle and a glass of wine. Remember: summertime, and the living is easy!

For more energy-saving tips for every time of the year, just visit Simply Energy online at https://www.simplyenergy.com.au/. You’ll also find a great energy Check Up Tool that will give you a detailed report on where your energy is used around the home. It’s quick, easy to use and free, so what have you got to lose? Or browse the Simply Energy store for some great gadgets to help you reduce or monitor your energy consumption.