Energy Efficiency Made Easy: 7 Practical Ways You Can Save Energy Around the House
Keeping your home energy use in check doesn’t just lighten the load on your wallet – it’s also a simple way to help the environment.
From keeping the summer heat out to trapping warmth during chilly nights, small tweaks can make a big difference. Installing outdoor roller blinds, for instance, helps manage indoor temperatures without overworking your air conditioner.
You don’t need to splash out on major renovations. You only need to practical tweaks that fit right into Australian living. In the next few minutes, you’ll discover straightforward tips you can use to save energy, reduce bills, and keep your home comfortable all year round.
1. Switch to energy-efficient windows.
Energy-efficient windows are designed to reduce heat transfer and prevent air leaks, helping your home stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer. These windows often use two or three layers of glass, with a sealed gap in between filled with air or an inert gas like argon for better insulation.
Double-glazed windows are the most common choice, but triple-glazed options provide even more insulation in colder climates. If upgrading isn’t an option, you can improve window efficiency with secondary glazing, heavy curtains, or sealed blinds.
Adding roller shutters boosts insulation and blocks out unwanted light and noise, making your home quieter and more private. They also add a stylish edge to your exterior, giving your home a modern and polished look.
2. Upgrade to insulated and draught-proofed doors.
Old doors can let in draughts, making it harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Replacing them with insulated doors made from fibreglass or wood composites can significantly reduce heat loss. These doors are built to seal tightly, minimising air leakage.
If replacing a door isn’t feasible, try weatherstripping to cover gaps around the edges. Adding a storm door is another affordable option, especially for older homes. It acts as a barrier against draughts, improving insulation while protecting your main door from wear and tear.
Beyond energy savings, these improvements make your home cosier and reduce noise pollution. It’s a practical step that pays off in comfort and lower electricity bills, especially during those sweltering Australian summers and chilly winter nights.
3. Maximise your use of natural light.
Natural light doesn’t just brighten up your space – it can also cut down on electricity costs. Installing skylights is a clever way to flood rooms with sunlight, reducing your need for artificial lighting. Energy-efficient skylights even help with insulation, keeping your home warm in winter while limiting heat build-up in summer.
Placement is key. Skylights on a south-facing roof slope are ideal for capturing warmth in cooler months without overheating your space during summer.
To prevent excess heat on very hot days, consider pairing skylights with outdoor roller blinds or internal shades. These additions let you control how much sunlight enters your home. If your home has limited windows, opt for skylights that cover up to 15 per cent of the room’s floor area.
Skylights help create a bright welcoming atmosphere while reducing reliance on power-hungry light fixtures.
4. Seal the ductwork.
Leaky ductwork can be a sneaky source of energy waste, allowing conditioned air to escape into attics or crawl areas. This makes your heating or cooling system work harder, driving up energy bills. Sealing these gaps ensures that air travels where it’s needed, keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Inspect ducts for holes, loose connections, or visible gaps. Common trouble spots include joints and the areas where ducts connect to vents.
For a budget-friendly fix, use mastic sealant or mastic tape to patch leaks. Both options are easy to apply and create a durable barrier against air loss.
Pro Tip: To further optimise your heating and cooling, pair this solution with ceiling fans. Set fans to rotate clockwise in winter to push warm air down and counterclockwise in the summer to spread a cooling breeze.
5. Automate energy usage.
Smart devices can take the guesswork out of managing your energy use. These are good additions to setup in your home or apartment, more so if you are providing accommodations and letting your property for short-term rentals while you are away.
Smart thermostats, for example, adapt to your daily routine, automatically adjusting temperatures to save up to 15 per cent on heating and cooling costs. Whether you’re home or away, an app gives you complete control, letting you tweak settings as needed.
Lighting automation offers even more savings. Install motion sensors in rooms like hallways or bathrooms to ensure lights turn off when not in use. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust brightness based on the time of day, using only as much power as necessary.
Together, these solutions create a more efficient home with minimal effort. They also add convenience, so you don’t need to constantly remember to adjust your thermostat or turn off lights. Automation simplifies energy savings while keeping your home comfortable.
6. Switch to solar-powered devices.
Solar-powered gadgets are an affordable way to transition to renewable energy.
Outdoor lights, battery chargers, and even garden fountains now come in solar-powered versions, cutting your electricity use gradually.
These devices are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. Solar garden lights, for instance, automatically charge during the day and light up at night without needing to be plugged in.
Similarly, small solar panels can power items like water pumps or portable electronics, making them a practical option for reducing energy bills over time.
Even if you’re not ready to invest in a full solar panel system, these incremental changes make your home more sustainable. Plus, solar devices often last longer than their traditional counterparts, saving you money on replacements.
7. Deal with vampire or phantom energy consumption.
Devices left on standby still draw power, contributing to “vampire energy” consumption. TVs, game consoles, and even phone chargers keep sipping electricity when plugged in, adding unnecessary costs to your bill.
Unplugging devices when they’re not in use is the simplest solution.
Alternatively, plug appliances into power bars that you can switch off at night. For an extra layer of convenience, try programmable power strips—they can be set to shut off multiple devices at once.
When you address phantom energy, you not only cut costs but also extend the lifespan of your electronics. It’s a win-win approach that reduces energy waste while helping the planet.
Small tweaks, big benefits
Energy savings don’t have to mean extensive renovations.
"Saving energy around the house can save you more money on your bills than you might expect - it can get quite addictive when you start to see the savings build up and can think about put aside the money" - Luther Yeates, Head of Mortgages at UK Expat Mortgage
Start small by sealing doors or installing outdoor roller blinds, and see the difference for yourself. These easy upgrades reduce bills, improve comfort, and lighten your home’s environmental impact.
Over time, these adjustments add up, creating a more efficient, eco-friendly space you can feel good about.
