Steve’s summer energy saving tips

Written by Steve the door snake

I know what you’re probably thinking. What would a door snake know about beating the heat? Well, as it turns out, quite a bit… 

Tame air leaks

You see, what you might not realise is that those sneaky gaps in your windows and doors that let winter draughts creep in, are just as pesky in summer. In fact, as much as a startling 50% of the energy used to cool an uninsulated home can be wasted through hot air getting into a room you’re trying to keep cool through these very same gaps! 
 
These hot air leaks are such an issue that my Aunty Glenys over in sunny Sockremento swears by her easy ‘look, listen and feel’ technique to decide when a door snake might save you from wasting cool air.

She says:

1. Look for movement in the curtains.
2. Listen for rattles or whistles near doors and windows.
3. Feel for moving air, especially near doors, windows, fireplaces or floorboards.  

Any of the above are usually* caused by an air leak letting hot air in. The great news, a door snake is just one way you can get it sorted quick-smart. 
 
(*If it’s not a hot air leak, it’s probably a poltergeist, in which case us door snakes become a little bit useless and you’re on your own. Sorry).   

Once you’ve got your trusty door snake sorted, check out these other easy ways to stay cool and keep your energy costs down this summer. 

Make your windows work for you

Now you know about hot air leaks in summer, it’s probably obvious that during the day, it’s ideal to keep your windows closed to make sure the hot air doesn’t creep in – and any cool air you’ve captured from your AC doesn’t escape. But on nights, where the temp drops and there’s a breeze, try opening the windows to let the air flow in. Better still, on days when the heat isn’t sky high, try opening windows at different ends of the house to create a cross breeze. 

Become a fan of fans

While winter saw me fan-snaking over Taylor Swift, this summer I’ve become a big fan of fans. They’re more energy efficient and way cheaper to run than air conditioners (which means more money to spend on concert tix) with ceiling fans costing as little as two cents an hour to run. Pedestal fans are particularly good at cooling specific parts of your room, especially if you position them in front of an open window of an evening, when they can help to push the cool air – and delightful summer smells – through your space.

Be AC savvy

We know, sometimes fans just don’t cut the mustard against an Aussie summer. On these days, the AC is your bestie. But just because you’re using it to feel cooler than a cucumber, doesn’t mean you can’t be smart about it.  

Firstly, you’ll want to make sure those filters are nice and clean – or that you replace them regularly to make sure your air conditioner is working at its most efficient and not chewing through more energy than it needs.  

If you have a central air conditioning system, it’s a good idea to use the zone control function so you’re only cooling the rooms you’re actually in. For split systems, close off the areas of the house you’re not in to ensure you’re only cooling the rooms you need to. 
 
When selecting the temp, set it to 24°C or higher. This simple tip can make a big difference to your energy usage, with each degree under 24°C using a whopping 5-10% more energy. 

Keep the sun’s rays at bay

It’s no secret, us snakes love finding a sunny spot to curl up in. But too much of a good thing is not always great, and in the warmer months, letting the sunlight into your house means you have to work harder to keep your space cool. Which isn’t cool. 

In summer, a single windowpane can gain up to 10 times more heat than the same sized area of uninsulated wall. That’s a lot of extra heat! Luckily, you can reduce your home’s temp just by using blinds, drapes or window shades to keep the sun out. Even better, if these window coverings are white, they’ll reflect the sun and do an even better job at cooling your room. Pretty clever for a colour, huh? 

Switch off before heading out

Did dear old Mumsy always nag you to “switch that off” whenever you left a room or were finished using something? Yep. Same. Triggering as that memory may be, turns out it was for a very good reason. And it all comes down to savings. To avoid paying for what you’re not using, try switching off before you head out. Flicking the switch off at the wall on things like TVs, toasters, coffee machines and kettles can all add up to save you big bucks! In fact, standby power can cost you up to $100 per year.  

If you’re heading away on holidays and have a second fridge, don’t forget to clear out all your perishables and give it the flick, too. Better still, invest in some smart plugs. These clever gadgets mean you can turn off your appliances from wherever you are, in case you forget.  

Make a habit of checking your plan

I’m not the biggest fan of life admin I must admit, but once every few months – after I’ve put the snakelets to bed – I jump online and check my energy plan. Remembering to check your energy plan regularly can result in big savings on your energy bill. And while you’re ticking things off your to-do list, check if you’re eligible for any concessions or rebates. 

Ask for help if you need it

We’re all feeling the cost-of-living squeeze, so if there’s any way the team at Origin can help you, please reach out. There’s a range of financial support available, including tailored support via their Power On Program.

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