Designing a new home comes with plenty of choices so you can create something that has your stamp all over it. Some of the options you get to choose between are fun — think colours, flooring and benchtops. Others aren’t often considered quite as fun, but they are still vital to the end result — and can even save you money for many years to come.

Informed decision-making means you could save on electricity and gas bills when it comes to powering your home. With the cost of living looking to be on the rise, who doesn’t want to find ways to keep extra cash in their pocket?

Lowering your power usage doesn’t mean lowering the quality or your standards. With smart choices during your home design process, you can ensure you save money with an efficient home and even contribute to a more sustainable future for you, and for the planet. Everybody wins.

Here are 5 key tips to consider exploring for power-saving benefits:

LED lighting and dimmers: Did you know that LED lighting use around 75% less energy than halogen bulbs? Plus, they last up to 10 times longer, reducing the cost and impact of replacement. Take it one step further by including dimmer switches in your electrical selections — dimmer switches for LED lights means you can save just a little more energy, while also having the option of shifting a room’s ambience at any time.

Solar hot water: Harness the energy of the sun to heat your water by opting for a solar hot water system for your new home. With a booster there as back-up, you can enjoy a hot shower while reducing your energy output by at least 60% when compared to a conventional gas or electric system.

Electric heating/cooling: Electric heating and cooling is the most energy-efficient option for you to keep your home feeling comfortable year-round. Talk to your Interior Designer about optimal placement for your heating and cooling options to get the most from your heating and cooling.

Insulation: Depending on the season, there will be times you want to keep the heat in and the cold out or vice versa. High-quality insulation can help to achieve this to create a more consistently comfortable temperature in your home. In turn, you can keep your energy bills down and reduce the need for heating and cooling. Fairhaven Homes proudly recommends and uses Aussie-made CSR Bradford products to insulate your home’s roof, ceilings, walls and floors.

Appliance choices: To keep your bills low, check the energy efficiency rating of your appliance. From dishwashers to fridges to the washer and dryer, the more five-star appliances you have the lower your power bills should be.

Want more tips to save on electricity & gas in your home?
Look out for part 2 of our power-saving tips on our website!