Don’t lose your cool: take it easy as temps rise
Don’t lose your cool: take it easy as temps rise
8 January 2012
With the heat set to continue over the next week ENERGEX is reminding South East Queenslanders that it’s easy to keep cool while remaining energy efficient this summer.
ENERGEX’s Mike Swanston said the summer months are when people traditionally use the most power, particularly on hot summer days when energy-hungry household appliances such as air conditioners are used.
"ENERGEX is calling on South East Queenslanders to ‘take it easy’ on their electricity use as the weather heats up, and help reduce peak demand by being smarter about their energy choices, particularly during the peak hours of 4 to 8 pm," Mr Swanston said.
"Home air conditioners are without doubt one of the biggest users of electricity yet setting them to 24 degrees improves the efficiency of the system and helps control any power usage spike.
"To make air-conditioners even more energy efficient people should close curtains and blinds to keep the heat outside.
"We’re also encouraging people to consider whether they can turn other appliances such as pool pumps, washing machines, clothes dryers or dishwashers off or delay their use until later at night.
"Small changes in electricity use between 4-8pm can make a big difference."
ENERGEX recommends the following simple steps to help reduce peak demand this summer:
- Set your air-conditioner to a cool 24 degrees
- Shut doors, windows, curtains and lower external blinds early to keep the heat out if using an air conditioner
- Switch your hot water system to off-peak and save
- Turn off your second fridge or freezer
- Use your clothesline instead of your dryer
- Use your dishwasher outside of 4pm to 8pm
- Defrost your freezer regularly
- Consider insulating your ceiling, walls and floors
- Switch appliances off rather than leaving them on standby
- Use an energy saving powerboard
- Use your washing machine outside of 4pm to 8pm and wash clothes in cold water
- Consider using a fan – it’s always friendlier on your pocket than switching on the air-conditioner
- Switch your pool pump to off-peak or install a minimum five star energy efficient pool pump
- Turn off TVs, computers and game consoles when no one is using them
- Cook on the BBQ or the microwave instead of an electric stove
- When renovating or building a new home, talk to your electrician about switching eligible appliances to off-peak
- Change light bulbs to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs
- When you go away on holidays turn off all unnecessary appliances before you go
- Ensure the seals on your fridge are in good working order to stop cold air getting out
- Appliances which heat or cool are generally the most energy hungry appliances
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