It's summer and that means the temperatures are getting warmer .
I have some simple ideas to reduce your electricity bill during the summer.
And don't worry, these are not tips that will reduce your comfort in the heat of the day.
I don't want to live in a dark place and a house that looks like an oven all summer long either!
So here are 7 simple tips to save electricity without sacrificing your comfort. Watch:
Choose low-energy compact fluorescent bulbs. They use up to 75% less energy (and last up to 10 times longer!) than incandescent bulbs. Even better, but more expensive LED bulbs.
It's not going to be huge savings, but enough to make you feel the difference on your next bills. Buy them in bulk, it's always cheaper.
For even more savings, prefer LED bulbs. They are more expensive to buy, but they consume little and are said to last a lifetime. A choice to make!
You can buy them in bulk at most stores. You will even find, sometimes, discount coupons!
Even when your electronics are turned off, they're still consuming power by staying plugged in.
TVs, game consoles are the biggest consumers of energy, even when they are off.
If you plug them into a switchable power strip, you can turn off all devices with a single switch instead of unplugging each item. Convenient and easy, right?
If you see this energy label on an appliance, it means that it complies with European directives.
It will save you over $100 per year on your electricity bill by replacing an old appliance.
Of course, you don't need to change all the appliances in your house.
Replace them as and when they break and are no longer repairable.
And also remember to buy them during the sales period to save more on the purchase price.
If you wash your laundry in cold water, you can save at least €60 in just one year.
If you're worried that stains will stick, treat them before washing using our tips here.
You can also apply the same rule for the dishwasher.
You still need hot water for washing, but you can deactivate the drying function.
Either way, stop buying dishwasher rinse aid, use white vinegar instead.
And why not try our super simple recipe for making your own dishwasher tablets?
We all know that a dryer heats the house and consumes a lot of electricity.
While drying your clothes on an outdoor clothes rack, especially in summer, can save you a lot of money, and also keep the house cooler when it's hot outside!
I washed my blankets and duvets a week ago. Normally, they require several drying cycles to dry.
I spread them on the patio table and they were dry in 45 min.
The drying racks are not very expensive, so do not deprive yourself.
If you are looking for one, we recommend this one which has a large capacity and good solidity. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, we recommend this handy clothesline.
Not only does the sun rise earlier in summer, but it quickly gets very hot.
Closing the curtains can significantly reduce the temperature in the room, especially if they have a thermal coating.
If you have blinds or curtains without an insulating coating, you can install them. Fit a thermal covering behind your curtains. It only takes a few minutes and is very effective.
Start with windows that get full afternoon sun. You will gain up to 7°C of freshness in summer! So, no need to turn on the air conditioning!
Did you know that you can lower the temperature of your water heater?
A water heater is one of the appliances that consumes the most electricity in the house.
Throughout the summer, remember to lower the water temperature to around 50 degrees or even lower if you don't mind.
Not sure how to change the temperature of your water heater? Use this tutorial which will guide you step by step.
And if you're going on vacation, check to see if it has a "vacation mode" setting.
