With most Australians spending more time at home than perhaps we’d like (or not!), the stress put on the municipal water supply and how much you’re consuming has real effects on your energy bill.
Nobody would argue against saving money, but we equally shouldn’t be sacrificing many of our comforts for just a few cents either. What are some effective, realistic ways to get those hot and comfy showers without paying an arm and a leg?
Avoid Peak Hours
How water consumes an awful lot of energy in the average Australian home. How much? About 25% of all energy is used for simply heating up your water storage tank. Since the energy draw is quite substantial, even small changes can lead to significant savings.
Off-peak water use is a great way to cut down on electrical energy use. The peak hours are, in many regions and states across Australia, generally from 7 am to 10 pm. During these hours, depending on your utilities provider, a peak tariff will be in place. Off-peak tariffs can be substantially less.
What’s the catch? Well, you’ll have to settle for those hot showers either early in the morning or late at night. If you’re working from home anyway, this may not be a major concern. Keeping a consistent routine of off-peak energy usage doesn’t need to be an annoyance but over the coming months, you’ll likely see a marginal decrease in energy bills.
Wash Laundry in Cold Water
When possible, wash loads of laundry in cold water and/or using the eco-friendly mode, if your washing machine has one. Washing machines use an enormous amount of water, and heating that water up to 40 or 60 degrees can quickly rack up the energy bill and potentially wear out your clothes faster.
Also, avoid filling up loads too much or running the washing machine with only a few small articles inside. Consult the owner’s manual to determine the optimal load size. This will reduce the number of loads you’ll need to run and thereby cut down on water and energy usage.
Fit a Low Flow Showerhead
One of the simplest, most convenient ways to begin cutting back on hot water usage right now is to pick up a new, low flow showerhead. There’s no reason to continue using a high flow showerhead nowadays if you’re trying to save money. They are very affordable and pay themselves off quickly, so it’s really a win-win.
The downside of a low flow showerhead is that you may need to get accustomed to the reduced pressure. Give it time and you’ll get used to it.
Switch to a Modern Hot Water System
Saving the best for last, switch your old, worn out, and/or inefficient hot water tank system with a new model. New models are far more efficient at delivering satisfying hot water whilst using eco-friendly energy settings in some cases.
At Endeavour Plumbing, we install and maintain electric, gas, and solar-powered hot water systems plumber in Melbourne. Consider switching to solar, if possible and feasible, to generate free and abundant energy. Electric and gas systems are now far more energy-efficient than models from yesteryear, too.
Endeavour Plumbing
Save money on hot water and energy consumption by switching to a new hot water system with Endeavour Plumbing.
For reliable Plumber in Brighton, Plumber in Burwood, and Plumber in Camberwell, look no further. Our experienced team is ready to handle all your plumbing needs efficiently and effectively. Trust us for all your plumbing emergencies and installations in these areas.
