The two biggest electricity costs in any home are your water heating and your environmental heating/cooling costs. - ie general heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer.

There are things you can do to save yourself lots of money. And they can be achieved without spending further money.

The key is to be diligent.

Wayns You Can Save on Your Hot Water Costs

Hot water is a major user of energy in the home. Something like 25% of energy used in the home is to heat water. Importantly, it is therefore a source of great savings. There are several things you can do:

1. More than half of hot water used is in the bathroom, a third is in the laundry and the remainder is in the kitchen.


2. Ensure that the hot water temperature gauge on storage hot water systems is set at 55°C - 60°C (130°F - 140°F). If its set higher, energy is being used unnecessarily. If it's set at a lower temperature, harmful bacteria to thrive. (Note that instantaneous hot water systems should be set to no more than 50°C or 120°F).


3. Showering uses the most hot water in a household. Installing a water efficient showerhead can reduce this use by about half. If you have an instantaneous water heater, make sure that your water efficient showerhead is compatible and does not reduce flow excessively.


4. Use a shower time to remind everyone in the household to save water.


5. Buy washing machines and dishwashers that have a cold or warm water or economy cycle option and use these cycles as much as possible.


6. Immediately repair dripping hot water taps and leaking appliances, including the relief valve from your water heater.


7. Turn off your water heater when you go on holidays.


8. Maintain your system and have it serviced according to manufacturer's instructions.


9. Wrap your hot water cylinder with a thermal blanket to improve efficiency. They are available at hardware stores and are easy to fit.

As a guide, dropping your water temperature setting by ten degrees typically saves approximately 4% on electricity costs to heat water each year.

Ways You Can Save on Your Heating and Cooling Costs

Each degree of extra heating in winter or cooling in summer will increase energy consumption by 5 to 10 per cent. So you should set your thermostat to 18°C to 20°C (64°F - 68°F) in winter and 25°C to 27°C (77°F - 80°F) in summer.

Here are some things you can do to save electricity costs:

1. Do not leave heating and cooling appliances on overnight or when you are out. If you must have the house comfortable when you arrive home, ensure you have a timer and turn your system on about 15 minutes prior to your return.


2. Locate thermostats in the most used rooms and away from sources of heat and cold.


3. Service all heaters and coolers according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pay special attention to air filters.


4. Maintain your heater. Keep reflectors shiny and free of dust.
Clean air filters regularly.

5. Close windows and doors in areas where a heater or air conditioner is on unless ventilation is required for gas appliances without flues.


6. Check your house for leaks around doors and windows.


7. Close drapes or blinds, especially in the evening when you are heating.


8. If you have good sunlight from the south during the day, open the shades to let it in.


9. If you are buying new heaters select the most efficient heating option for your home. Look for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency [AFUE] ratings above the minimum of 78%.


10. Put energy reflecting panels on walls behind radiators.

The big advantage of applying the above guidelines is that you can save considerably on your energy costs and your quality of life won't really change at all.

And, most importantly, you are helping reduce global warming while you save that money.