Pools and spas
With over 3.1 million Aussies (1 in 7) living in a house with a swimming pool or spa, pools can contribute significantly to energy costs. The pump-unit alone can be the one of the largest single users of electricity in a household – even more so than electric water heaters. In fact, the average pool pump costs around $864 per year whilst an electric water heater costs an average of $780 per year.
The cooler months, when pools aren’t used as much, are the ideal time to cut back on the amount of hours the filtration system runs for.
How to reduce your pool’s energy costs
Use a timer: Install a timer to turn the pool filter on and off automatically.
Reduce the running time: Cut the time you use the pool pump from eight hours to four hours a day during the Autumn months and you could save about $100 on your energy bill.2
Cover it up: Minimise evaporation by installing a pool cover. Covers also reduce the need for heating in cooler months. Bubble covers can reduce cooling by 3-4°C and, for heated pools, reduce heat loss by as much as 75%. Covers can also trap heat from the sun and warm your pool by as much as 7°C.
Outdoor and garden lighting
Maintaining the lighting in your outdoor entertaining spaces is an easy way to up the energy-efficiency of your home.
- Choose energy-saving lighting options, like LED low-voltage or solar powered fixtures.
- When replacing old sensor spotlights swap halogen bulbs out for LEDs. LEDs use about 75% less energy than halogen light bulbs and last 5 – 10 times longer.
- Check light levels on any motion sensors to ensure they’re only activating after sunset.
- Match your timers with the season. Consider lights turning on later in the evening during summer months.
- Clean exposed outdoor bulbs every three months to remove any dirt and pollen. If bulbs are dirty the light efficiency dramatically decreases.
Savvy gardening tips
Whilst the garden may seem an unlikely space to save on utilities, a few simple tweaks can really help you reduce your water usage and conserve energy.
- Water your lawn in the morning or late evening to avoid evaporation.
- Speaking of evaporation, keep your grass a little taller during warmer months, longer grass holds onto more moisture helping to conserve water and keep your lawn green.
- Install timers on your sprinklers so they turn on and off as needed ensuring you don’t forget to turn them off.
- Check where your sprinklers are angled. Ensure you’re not wasting water by spraying the street or pavement.
- Group plants with similar watering needs near each other to ensure you aren’t over or underwatering them and are using water efficiently.
- Consider using good old-fashioned manual tools when you can; like brooms instead of blowers and secateurs instead of electrical hedge trimmers.
- If you have a water feature in your yard, consider whether you could use a solar water pump instead of a standard electrical one.
- Plant trees that are known for providing good shade, like magnolias, Japanese maples and dwarf gums, to help keep your home cool during summer.
Looking for more ways to save on energy this summer? We’ve got you.
