ENERGY USE

Minimise energy
use while
you sleep.

You've turned out the lights, put the TV on standby, and popped your phone on the charger, thinking your energy use is minimised as you head off to bed.

Little are you realising that energy vampires can come out at night and seep energy while you sleep, estimated to account for as much as 10% of your home's energy usage. In fact, according to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, standby energy consumption costs $860 million to Australian consumers annually and contributes to $2.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Here we share the ways you can make energy savings while you sleep by saying 'goodnight' and properly powering off these energy vampires at the end of the day.

Don't leave electronics in standby mode.

Even when you push the 'off' button on the device or remote control, home electronics like TVs, games consoles, microwaves, and coffee machines stay 'on' in standby mode. Effectively this means that even when the device isn't in use, it continues to use electricity.

When you've finished using your electronics, switch them off completely at the power point rather than just at the device or remote control. You could even invest in a convenient stand-by power controller that automatically turns off your unattended entertainment appliances at the end of the day.

Unplug chargers when they are not in use.

Believe it or not, when a device charger is left plugged in overnight, it still draws a small amount of energy, even when it's not charging anything, so consider unplugging any unused device chargers before bed. Leaving your phone plugged into the charger is using excess energy and, in many cases, reducing the battery's overall lifespan, so best to charge only when needed.

For computers, certain graphic-intensive screen savers can cause the computer to burn twice as much energy than basic ones - and may even prevent a computer from entering sleep mode. Shutting down your computers overnight will prevent unwanted energy use.

Turn off your air-conditioning.

Many households lower the fan setting and leave their air conditioners on overnight, thinking it is using less energy. While this may be the case, there may be some more cost-effective alternatives.

For heating in winter, opt for a winter weight quilt, flannelette pyjamas and sheets. Put on the electric blanket briefly to warm the bed, then switch it off so it isn't consuming energy while you sleep.

For cooling in summer, consider a summer-weight quilt, cotton sheets and light pyjamas; close the blinds well before bed to reduce stored heat. Open windows slightly before bed if the air temperature outside is cooler. Consider turning a ceiling fan on low, which will consume far less energy than the air conditioning at night.

Turn off exterior lights or consider solar options.

Exterior landscaping can look beautiful when lit up at night and provides important illumination to use these spaces safely; however, left on night-after-night, they can be costly while you sleep.

There are many energy-efficient outdoor lighting options these days, including solar-powered options and energy-efficient LEDs. When planning your outdoor lighting options, look for energy-efficient options that don't break the bank while you sleep.

Alternatively, switch off exterior lights as a matter of routine when going to sleep.

Summary

• Don't leave home electronics like TVs, game consoles, microwaves, and coffee machines in standby mode.
• Consider investing in a stand-by power controller that automatically turns off your unattended entertainment appliances.
• Always turn off and unplug computers, laptops, device chargers and lights at the end of the day.
• Disable automatic software update settings on your device and quit all apps before you go to bed.

ActewAGL's energy saving tips are designed to help you take control of your energy use, while reducing your bills and environmental impact. Save with great value energy plans backed by our sustainability promise, supported by 100% local, award-winning service.

For more information about how you can transition to an energy-efficient home visit the Solarhub & ActewAGL Smart Energy Hub today.

Sources

https://carbontrack.com.au/blog/standby-power/

Disclaimer: These Energy Savings tips and articles are for information purposes only. Please ensure you are aware of any safety precautions before operating appliances or products.