Guest Post: Energy Saving Tips for the Summer Holidays

Solar-heated pool. Photo credit: Solstice Solar of Baja www.solsticesolarofbaja.com

(Guest post from U.K.-based renewable energy product comparison Web site Enerfina.)

Believe it or not, summer is a time when a lot of extra energy is used. Due to extra electricity required to cool our homes, or extra water required to make sure our gardens look fresh and green, energy is expended every day. However, there are plenty of tips that you can put into place as soon as today to ensure that you are doing your part in making sure that extra energy is not going to waste.

Many of us might have swimming pools in our yards, and whilst they are a wonderful way to cool off on those hot summer days, swimming pools are also a massive use of energy. The best thing to combat this is to be aware. Many homeowners concerned with sustainability are looking directly to their swimming pools as the first place they can make a change. The major reason behind this is that most pools are heated. Running your pool heater night and day is a massive waste of energy, especially if no one might even be going in the pool when you are on holiday!

So think about having a specific plan on how to approach your swimming pool. In some hot climates, especially during sunny days the pool will become quite warm in the afternoon just by the energy of the sun, so much so that many homeowners have gone through periods where they do not even turn their pool heaters on at all, saving a tonne of energy in the process. Another idea is to put your swimming pool heater on a timer. Run the heater for just a few hours a day and have the timer shut off in the early evening.

Another energy saving tip for the summer is to look at your electricity habits. In the summer, the sun with be out for a much longer time than in the winter, and even more so in Northern climates, so make an effort not to have your lights or appliances on at all hours of the day. If you are someone who is concerned about leaving the home whilst on holiday and leave the lights on, think about getting an automatic shut off timer, they will turn the lights on at dusk, and then shut them off at a set time, giving a little bit of peace of mind, but also are energy efficient.

Also, once you leave on holiday, turn off the electricity in some of the smaller appliances. As you might not realise, even if an appliance is off if it is still plugged into the wall socket, it is still using amps of energy. So unplug your coffee maker, fans, air conditioners or electric kettle once you are ready to leave and keep them unplugged while you are away, these changes all make a difference.

Just small moves like these can make a big difference in energy costs over a summer holiday season, which will translate directly into your wallet, and have the added benefit of being environmentally conscious as well.

This article has been provided by Enerfina, a fully independent market intermediary in the renewable energy sector. For more information on how they can provide you with unbiased and in depth reviews of products like solar panels, heat pumps and rainwater harvesters, please consult their website.