ENERGY USE

How to save
energy when
doing your hair.

So, you’ve upgraded to a smart meter and always switch the lights off to save, but did you ever consider how much energy your household’s grooming routines consume? From hair dryers to hot water and heat styling tools, taking care of hair requires a significant amount of energy - and it’s easy for even the most energy-conscious of consumers to overlook this.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to adopt an energy-saving approach to hair care without compromising the health and beauty of your tresses. By consciously re-evaluating hair washing and styling techniques, you’ll save money on your electricity bill and lower your overall energy footprint.

Turn down the heat...or air-dry instead

Although they’re not your household’s biggest energy guzzlers, hair dryers can consume a surprisingly large amount of electricity during the short time that they’re on. Take a peep at your hair dryer’s wattage. Typically, it’ll be anywhere between 1,000 and 2,400 watts. To put that in contrast, the average TV uses around 150 watts.

You may assume that the higher the wattage, the better the performance, but its primarily down to the motor. A higher-wattage hair dryer with an inefficient motor may not perform as well as a lower-wattage one. When shopping around, a 1,200–1,600 wattage hair dryer will be sufficient for most hair types and will save you money over time.

If you’re blessed with long, lustrous locks or wash daily, blasting your hair dryer for extended periods could eat into your energy bill. When you do blow dry, switch to a cooler, slower setting as this wil l consume less energy.

Even better: consider blow drying your hair au naturel. Use the warmth of the sun and the caress of the wind to dry your hair instead of your hair dryer. Your locks will love you, too. Hair dryer heat is notorious for accelerating hair damage so air drying outdoors - or just letting it dry naturally at home-will make it less prone to breakage and splitting.

Wash your hair less frequently

Yes, your hair may be fragrant and glossy with daily washes, but when you clean it too often you remove the scalp’s natural oils, these are vital for keeping hair follicles healthy. Excessive washing prevents the scalp from maintaining its natural pH balance, which can lead to dryness or dandruff.

Aim to wash your hair only twice a week. You’ll save time and money on shampoo costs, while conserving water and energy–all desirable sustainability benefits that are within your reach.

Get creative without heat styling tools

If you can’t do without your contour iron or are addicted to your diffuser, it’s time to seek out styling solutions that don’t require heat. The good news is that there are tonnes of hair hacks to perfect your ‘do sans tools.

If you want wonderful waves, plait your hair while damp and undo when its dry, they’ll unfurl revealing stunning waves. Leave overnight to strengthen waves. For instant volume, comb your hair to the opposite side of your natural parting when it’s damp. Once dry, flip it back to normal for volumized tresses. To curl your hair without heat, go old-school with Velcro rollers when it’s 80% dry, or wind sections around your finger and fasten at your scalp with a pin until it’s dry.

Don’t forget to turn off those tongs

Hair straighteners, tongs and other heat styling tools can reach hot temperatures and forgetting to turn them off is easy–especially when you’re getting your glam on. Make a habit of always switching off completely at the mains once done. You’ll save energy and eliminate any risk of them encountering flammable materials such as fabrics or papers. Many new straighteners on the market have auto shut-off features that will power down when left idle for a while.

Summary

• Choose a hair dryer with a lower wattage, use it on a lower setting or allow hair to dry naturally outdoors or indoors.
• Aim to wash hair only twice a week to save water and energy and to preserve healthy natural oils on the scalp.
• Switch your heat styling tools for simple methods that don’t require heat for volumizing, curling or adding waves to hair.
• Always remember to turn off hair straighteners and tongs when finished to save energy and prevent fire hazards.
  
  

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://www.energybot.com/energy-usage/tv
https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/hair-dryer-electricity-usage/

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.