With the war in Ukraine happening in the past months, oil and gas prices are soaring across the globe and Singaporean households are no exception. If you are worried about the prospects of having to pay a higher electricity bill, fret not as we've compiled a list of energy-efficient interior design upgrades to reduce that electric bill.
1. The Colors of your Room
It would probably not cross many peoples' minds that something as simple as repainting can help you bring down your energy bill. Dark colours absorb about more radiant energy than light colors. This means that rooms painted in dark colours, especially the ones that see lots of sunshine during the day will remain warmer than the same rooms painted in light colours.
Usually, paint tins feature the so-called light reflectance value (LRV) printed on them. The higher this number is, the more light the colour will reflect rather than absorb. These are the tones you should be choosing for your rooms. For even better results, consider light colours in combination with shades or blinds that keep sunlight out of the respective space.
2. Air-conditioning
Singapore is a understandably hot, and its common for many Singaporeans to leave their air-conditioner on for an unreasonably long periods of time at home.
Getting an air-conditioner with more ticks in their rating might cost you slightly more, but the savings, in the long run, are definitely worth it, and buying a 5-tick aircon can save you around $270 a year. But of course, the ultimate way to save energy on aircon is usage.
A good way to compromise would be switching the aircon off after the room has cooled, or setting a timer and subsequently using a fan to circulate the air in the room, hence minimizing the use of your air-conditioner. This could save you up to $340 a year.
3. Doors & windows
The wrong kinds of doors and windows can contribute to some of the biggest energy efficiency losses in your home. In fact, up to 40 per cent of the home’s energy escapes through windows that lack proper insulation. While new windows and doors can be costly, they will save you a lot of money in the long-term. Some of the window varieties to avoid if you want to boost energy efficiency include metal, steel and aluminium-framed ones. These materials contribute to the biggest heat exchange between the external world and your home. As far as insulation is concerned, wood, vinyl and most kinds of composite materials are excellent choices. These are also a good pick for doors that will reduce the loss of cool air from your home.
4. Fans
Fans can help you maintain a cool home while also reducing your electricity bill. As mentioned in the previous section, they also can be used on their own or in conjunction with AC units. Ceiling fans are the best variety, delivering much better results than standing ones. They use significantly less energy than AC units, which is why their installation will produce a very quick and very notable result as far as your electricity bill is concerned.
5. Refrigerators
Refrigerators came in a not-so-close second in NEA’s survey, clocking about 17% of total energy consumption. Keeping your refrigerator powered is a must, but here are some tips to keep costs down.
Ensure door openings are minimal, because every time cool air escapes, the fridge works harder to replace the air, so keep the door open no longer than necessary. Keep the refrigerator full, but don’t overpack it. A full fridge retains cold better than an empty one, but if your fridge is too full, it will obstruct the circulation of cold air inside. Last but not least, allow hot foods to cool before placing them in the fridge. Placing hot foods inside immediately causes the temperature to go up temporarily, and makes your unit work harder.
6. Water heaters
Probably not what most homeowners think of first when it comes to cutting electric costs. But water heaters accounted for about 11% of electricity consumption. That being said, many people leave their water heaters on an entire day, even when they are out of the house. Homeowners can save about $110 a year just by only turning the storage water heater on when you need it, and turning it off after usage.
7. Standby Power
Standby power might seem like a small thing on a per-device level, but if you multiply that by the number of devices that are hooked up to a power source: TVs, computers, fans, kitchen appliances, just to name a few, this can add up to a significant amount. Using something like a power strip that connects multiple devices and allows you to cut the power at one go can help you to reduce this unwanted usage.
At Dreamakers Interior we believe that every space has the potential to become unique, harmonial and beautiful. We are proud of what we do and are prepared to work overtime to guarantee that you are satisfied with the way your space looks. From full-scale projects to small renovations, we invite you to take a look at our gallery and see what we have done. Below are some of our favorite projects. If you need professional help for design conceptualization or space planning, let us know
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