8 Small Changes You Can Consider for Big Utility Savings

Aside from 12 hacks to lower your utility bills, here are 8 tiny changes you should consider for hefty utility savings.

#1. Choose electrical appliances with the most ticks

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Due to NEA's efforts to help households become more energy efficient to reduce carbon emissions, the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for home appliances will raise. What this means to you is that you can make better-informed choices, by comparing the cost savings from the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS). It is best to choose the electrical appliances with the most MELS ticks since it will guarantee you the lowest life cycle cost over the duration of the appliance's lifespan.

Do you know?
You can find out the life cycle cost of an electrical appliances at Energy Efficient Singapore.

#2. Smaller may not be necessary better

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It may come as a surprise that certain electrical appliances such as refrigerators, with bigger capacities, are more energy efficient on average when compared to the smaller refrigerators with smaller capacities. Therefore, always find out the actual life cycle cost prior to making any commitment. 

Do you know?
An electrical appliance with a higher energy-efficiency rating is not necessarily more expensive, when compared with the electrical appliances with similar capacities. 

#3. Switch to electrical devices with smart features

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Use smart-home devices and appliances as part of your energy-saving plan to schedule, and automate the lighting, air conditioner, fans and water heaters. With remote control, you can also manage their usage even when you are not at home.

Do you know?
Even while running on standby, smart plugs still help to save you energy because the energy they use is minimal and therefore, will not make a significant impact on your electricity bill.

#4. Choose the usage of the electrical appliances wisely

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Ceiling fans consume lesser energy when compared to the air conditioners, and using laptop computers can even save up to 80 percent of the electricity. This is because laptops are often more energy-efficient than desktops since they can run for a long time on the battery. Use a microwave or air fryer instead of an oven, and an instant water heater over a storage heater since the latter uses up more energy.

Do you know?
A standard air conditioner’s temperature should be between 25 to 27 degrees for maximum energy efficiency in Singapore's humid climate.

#5. Ensure that the electrical appliances are optimally loaded

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The amount of electricity used by the oven, refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher is the same even if it is not fully loaded or underloaded. Hence, the energy savings of these appliances are only achieved when they are running on full loads. Therefore, make sure that the electrical appliances are fully loaded, so that you can achieve maximum utility savings.

Do you know?
Overload the washing machine will stress the drum bearings and belt, and  the detergent will not be able to circulate effectively to get rid of the dirt and stains. The optimal load for the refrigerator is 1/2 to 3/4 full.

#6. Service the electrical appliances regularly

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Ensuring that the electrical appliances are in tip-top condition will also help them to operate with maximum efficiency. For instance, the air conditioner and vacuum cleaner will need to work much harder when their filters are blocked. When the door gasket is clean and sealing properly, it helps to retain the cool air in the refrigerator. Similarly, the oven door seal needs to be cleaned and checked regularly, for optimal heat retention. 

Do you know?
Replacing the door gasket or seal is much more economical than purchasing a new refrigerator or oven. You can order the refrigerator door gasket and oven door seal from the manufacture directly.  In addition, investing in quality insulation for air-conditioners as the poor insulation will cause condensation and increases the energy consumption.

#7. Swap out for LED lights

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A Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulb is much more energy-efficient than incandescent lighting or Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs because the diode light is much more power-efficient. LED lights also last much longer than a regular bulb and do not need to be replaced regularly. 

Do you know?
On average, LED bulbs use at around 70% lesser energy than incandescent bulbs and LED lights also last around 25 times longer.

#8. Consider simple, D.I.Y home improvement measures

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Window films can help insulate the rooms against excessive heat by blocking some heat from entering and keeping the rooms cooler. To keep the air con in the rooms more effectively, install a door sweeper along the underside of the door to prevent cold air from escaping the room. In addition, sealing the gaps between doors and door frames with long pieces of weather stripping helps to keep hot air from entering the room too. These measures help to keep the temperature constant and hence, prevent the air conditioner from working harder.

Do you know?
Good quality window films can reduce up to 80% of the solar's heat coming through the windows. Extra thick curtains with thermal lining for extra insulation helps to keep the heat out too.