Outside

Swimming pool

For houses with swimming pools, the swimming pool filter pump is likely to be amongst the largest consumers of electricity, possibly accounting for 20% of the home's electricity consumption.

1. Reduce the pool pump operating time. Reducing the swimming pool filter pump operating time can save significant amounts of electricity. Resetting the pump control clock to activate the pump for only those times necessary for keeping the pool clean can reduce the pool pump operating time,
2. Covering your pool when it is not in use will reduce its water losses. A cover will also ensure that the pool need not be cleaned as frequently and the pool pump can be operated less often, for example 10% of the time,
3. The pool's filter should be cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer to obtain maximum efficiency. This will enable you to operate the pump for shorter periods. Also use a wall brush and leaf skimmer regularly and remove foreign materials from he pool's strainer baskets,
4. In general, your pool manufacturer should be in a good position to advise you on how to optimize your swimming pool's electricity efficiency and should be consulted,
5. Check with the supplier of the swimming pool to establish the correct operation of the filter. Operating the filter longer than necessary can be very expensive, because it wastes electricity.

Power tools

1. Practically all portable tools are very efficient users of electricity because they are driven by electric motors which are very efficient,
2. Trigger switches ensure that the unit is only used when needed; but don't overload the tool,
3. A faulty appliance will not work properly and can waste electricity. Repair or replace promptly. It can also be a fire / shock hazard.