More and more households in Bermuda are becoming more energy efficient. But energy efficiency isn't just about doing your bit for the environment - it can also save you money.
Here are some tips on how you could start making your home more energy efficient straight away without spending much - or anything at all.
The best way to save money on energy is to understand what you're already spending. That's why a smart meter can be really helpful, because it tells you how much gas and electricity you're using in real time.
If you don't have a smart meter, you can still check your bills and compare your usage against the expected usage for similar households - or even against your own past energy costs to see if your expenses have risen significantly over time.
Once you've worked out how much energy you're using - and how much it's costing you - there are plenty of quick wins that might help you reduce it.
Other simple steps could help, such as switching off gadgets at the power source rather than leaving them on standby, and not running your air conditioner when there's nobody home.
Sometimes, you might be able to make savings just by making better choices in the home, for example:
Water-efficient shower heads can save a significant amount of water per year without reducing the quality of your cleanliness routine. Also, while we all enjoy a luxurious bath from time to time, switching to a 5-minute shower can be much more efficient.
Avoid putting your washing machine on the highest settings. Most detergents work perfectly well at the lower temperatures. You could save money by using an eco-wash setting and waiting until you have done a full load, rather than smaller, more frequent cycles.
Take advantage of the beautiful Bermudian sunshine and dry clothes on a washing line or rack where possible, rather than using a dryer.
If you have a desktop computer, try to avoid using it if you can use a laptop instead. Laptops typically use a lot less power, so this could make a big energy saving if you're working from home, as has become the norm for many people in recent years.
A laptop can also give you the freedom to work wherever you want in your home, so there's no need to feel tempted to turn up the air con if you're in a particularly warm space.
A larger investment in energy efficiency might take the form of a home renovation, new energy-efficient appliances or installing solar panels.
We offer a range of loan options to help you to finance these larger purchases, with preferential interest rates on our Energy Efficiency and Electric Vehicle loans for eco-friendly purchases. Check out our article on making your home more energy efficient for some ideas on projects you could undertake.
