Saving energy in the home – appliances

Using appliances at home is something we do without a second thought. However, it is important to remember that all appliances use energy, which means using them is pushing your electricity bill up.

Thankfully, there are some ways to keep using these appliances while reducing their energy usage. Here are some handy tips from Synergy that may come in handy:

• When chargers aren't charging, switch them off - chargers slowly leak energy when they are left on. Switch them off at the wall to save energy.
• Don't keep appliances on standby - appliances still use energy even on standby, so switch them off at the wall.
• Let the stars choose your new appliance - the energy star rating is an easy way to quickly see how energy efficient an appliance is.
• Consider upgrading really old appliances - old fridges and dishwashers are not generally as energy efficient as newer models. Check energy star ratings before buying new appliances.
• Let your computer's screen saver do its job sooner - adjust your computer’s eco-saver power settings so your screen switches off shortly after you stop using it.
• Switch printers, scanners, modems and other peripherals off at the wall when not in use - put these devices on a separate power board so you can turn them off without affecting your computer.
• Light your workspace, not the entire room - using a lamp to light just your workspace is energy efficient and can help you concentrate.
• What to look for in a new computer - screen size matters. The bigger the screen, the more electricity is consumed, so choose appropriately.
• Clean your dishwasher filter regularly - your dishwasher cleans dishes, not itself. Cleaning the filter will make it run better.
• Use a cold water connection for your dishwasher - this will save on water heating costs.
• Only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need - the water you don’t use will just get cold and need to be heated again.