Imagine being able to cut your power bills without compromising your comfort, health, or wellbeing. That’s exactly what the Energy4Seniors program series aims to do by empowering older Queenslanders to make wise energy choices – one practical step at a time.
Dr Wendell Porter (pictured), a retired Senior Lecturer from the University of Florida and a long-time advocate for wise energy use, brought his wealth of knowledge to Australian audiences in a recent webinar which focused on how seniors can make meaningful energy-saving changes in their own home without needing expensive upgrades or complex technology.
The webinar, ‘Energy Efficiency without compromising your comfort, health, and wellbeing’ offers straightforward, actionable tips tailored to the needs of older residents, whether they live independently, with family, or in retirement communities, and forms part of a 4-part series.
“What many people don’t realise,” Dr Porter explains, “is that the small changes we make add up. It’s about being wise with how and when we use energy. You don’t need to live in the dark or be uncomfortable to see savings.”
Dr Porter offers practical useful information on improving energy efficiency at home, emphasising a key takeaway – “the cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use.”
He also highlighted the importance of balancing energy conservation with personal well-being: “No one should sacrifice their comfort or health by cutting back too far. Smart energy use is about efficiency, not deprivation.”
Dr Porter’s top tips for saving energy with appliances are:
Watch out for ‘phantom loads’: Appliances left on standby mode can account for up to 7% of your household’s electricity use;
Use power boards: Group electronics on a single power board to switch them off easily when not in use;
Remote-controlled plugs: Install these for hard-to-reach outlets to conveniently turn off devices;
Enable power-saving settings: Activate energy management features on devices to reduce electricity use when they’re idle.
Energy efficiency isn’t just about reducing bills – it’s about maintaining independence and control in your own home. And with the rising cost of living, that message is more relevant than ever.
Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or simply want to learn how to use energy more wisely, Energy4Seniors offers a valuable opportunity to gain insight from experts and connect with others who are also seeking practical solutions.
Learn more about the Energy4Seniors Program at www.cotaqld.org.au/energy4seniors.
Because empowering Queenslanders to make wise energy choices isn’t just a tagline – it’s a movement.
For more practical information, view the full, free, easy to access webinar that was created especially for seniors and their families here.
Stay tuned for next month’s article titled ‘Home Energy Audits’.
