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Prioritising sustainability is important for conserving natural resources and preserving our environment, but for many in their day-to-day lives, energy conservation is done more as a means of cost savings than to make a positive impact. Our energy consumption is one of - if not the largest - utility costs at home, and by reducing unnecessary usage and making some simple changes, we can improve energy efficiency at home and lower our environmental impact.
We’ll be exploring how you can improve energy efficiency at home with simple changes, how you can leverage technology to make your home more efficient, and why your community should partner with Altogether Group.
When looking to improve energy efficiency in the home, there are various ways of doing so, from choosing energy-efficient bulbs to purchasing appliances with the highest energy rating. Typically, products will be rated between 1 and 6 stars, but with the advancement of technology, some products with a super-efficiency rating can go as high as 10 stars. Depending on the region you live in, you can also find Zoned Energy Rating labels that reflect the seasonal efficiency of use in Australia’s three distinct climate zones. As each additional star reflects less energy consumption per year, look to get products with as many stars as possible.
Purchasing efficient washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and air conditioning units, for example, can drastically reduce energy wastage and improve your energy efficiency. Cooling and heating your home demands a lot of energy, so if you are looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency, addressing any leakage from windows and doors - for example - can better insulate your property, and reduce the amount of time that an air conditioner or heater needs to be on for. Additionally, you can utilise blinds to help keep heat in or out, reducing the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature at home.
Technology has come a long way in improving energy efficiency, and can now play a large part in helping you to improve energy efficiency at home. Smart meters can offer real-time data on your energy usage, which can identify areas for improvement with adjustments to lower consumption. By pinpointing where energy is wasted, cost-effective solutions can be implemented, whether that is using smart power strips or bulbs that can be scheduled to turn off automatically, or motion sensors that only activate when someone is in the room.
For those who live in a shared complex or part of a small community, increasing awareness of energy efficiency and usage can encourage positive habits surrounding utility usage. Highlighting the importance of conservation and preventing wastage can be done through local workshops or sessions that educate people on how to be more energy efficient, and the benefits of doing so. In local communities where residents bear the cost of utility usage in communal areas, residents who make efforts should be recognised for their positive contributions.
At Altogether Group, we are a leading provider of embedded network solutions in Australia, helping communities maximise energy efficiency. By purchasing electricity in bulk for an entire community, better rates can be negotiated, which can be passed onto residents. Supporting our embedded energy networks, we offer smart metering that offers residents insights into energy efficiency, with suggestions on how to improve it.
Maximising energy efficiency in communities requires effort from all residents, and by building awareness, embracing technology, and forging strong partnerships with energy providers, you can improve energy efficiency at home, and communities can save money by preventing energy wastage whilst building a more sustainable future.
If you are a developer or strata manager who wants to learn more about how we are helping to build sustainable communities with embedded energy networks or how our utility services can benefit your community, get in touch with us today.
At Altogether, we deliver reliable, localised essential services to over 500 communities across Australia. From world-leading recycled water systems to efficient embedded energy networks in high-rise communities, and smart grids in small communities, we're determined to do the right thing by our customers, and by the planet. As a multi-utility service provider, it’s our mission to make the world a brighter place, and we do that by offering sustainable power, water and data services.
