How inexpensive plug timers can save you money
Water urns and boilers use a lot of energy. However, they’re commonly left on at weekends when nobody is around. Switching them off after-hours is an easy way to reduce your power bills.
Mitre 10 bought five electrical plug timers for their Sydney HQ and plugged their Zip water boilers into them. They programmed the plug timers to:
- switch the water boilers off at the end of the working day
- turn them on just before people arrived at work
- switch all the water boilers off on weekends.
Each plug timer only cost $15. After buying five for $75, they are now saving up to $1,500 a year in reduced energy costs.
Water-coolers, espresso machines, drinks fridges and vending machines are other pieces of equipment that can be turned off and on by a plug timer.
Where could you use a plug timer in your business?
Lizards Early Learning Centre, QLD
Lizards Early Learning have saved 35% on their energy bills. They used to operate their air-conditioning from 6am–6pm, but they now turn it on at 8.30am and switch it off when they go outside at 3pm. This has reduced usage by 5–6 hours a day.
“Air-conditioning use has been almost halved in summer and there is absolutely no difference to the comfort levels for the children,” said Senior Manager Kristen Fox. To further save energy, they turn off any fans, lights and electrical appliances, like CD players, when they’re not in use.[1]