8 Weeks 

8 Challenges 

8 Giveaways 

Click here to enter Week 5 and find out more now!

This week we’ve got something a bit different for our giveaway – a Nanoleaf LED light bulb that is going to help you save money, energy and basically the planet.

Here’s Week 5’s challenge: Start saving electricity at home by unplugging unnecessary appliances that you’re not using. Simple!

Here are our top 8 tips to reach that darker shade of green.

Want to save money and save energy at the same time? Sounds too good to be true. 8Shades has got your back and together we will make it happen.

Each year a big chunk of household budgets are spent on power, electricity and heat. A few simple changes and a few tweaks can go a long way in helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lowering household costs and saving energy and resources.

1.

CHOOSE ENERGY SAVING LIGHT BULBS

Change your lights to LED light bulbs! While the initial upfront cost of buying LED bulbs might be a hurdle, in the long run it will save you a lot, I mean A LOT. LED lights have a longer lifespan, saving you the cost of replacement, energy and maintenance – not to mention your valuable time.

2.

COLD IS IN, HOT IS OUT

Take cold showers – check out our article on how taking cold showers is better for your body and the environment. A big chunk of your energy costs actually go towards heating water for your shower. You can thank us later when you have smaller pores, better blood circulation and a rock-bottom energy bill.

3.

USE AN ELECTRIC POWER STRIP

You can save up to $1,000 dollars a year by just plugging all your electronic devices into a power strip and simply turning the relevant plug off when you are not using it. Or even better, unplug the whole strip from the wall when you leave home!

4.

BRING IN THE SUNLIGHT… OR NOT

Pull back those curtains during day-light to brighten up your home instead of using artificial lights that drain your electricity. It’s also better for your body to see natural light rather than artificial light.

During those hotter months, simply shut your curtains or blinds on the south side of your home where the sun shines through to keep the temperature of your home cooler and the opposite during the coolers months to let the sun warm your place up.

5.

CRACK OPEN THE WINDOWS FOR SOME FRESH AIR

Air ventilation at home is not only free but it is an effective method of hybrid ventilation. Skip the aircon, fresh cool air early in the morning and evening can help lower the temperature of your home. Living in an urban city we are stuck indoors most of time, getting some fresh air into your home can be so satisfying.

6.

ALWAYS BUY ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

When it is time to retire some of your older appliances or when they break down, shop for energy efficient gadgets. Dish washers, refrigerator, washing machines, driers, they are all energy sucking appliances that we depend on every day. Be a little patient and you’ll see that over the life-time of your energy efficient appliance, the marked decrease in the your bill will translate into real savings.

7.

INSTALL A THERMOSTAT

It is actually a misconception that setting your thermostat to a lower temperature than your usual temperature will cool your house down quicker. Secondly, every single degree higher or lower will increase your energy usage up to about 8%.

So keep that thermostat between 24-26 degrees celsius. Refer to our surviving Hong Kong Summer article for more information on how to save energy and survive hot summers.

8.

WASH CLOTHES AT A LOWER TEMPERATURE

We are all about saving costs here. If you wash your clothes in just 10 degrees cooler water, or even better, wash your clothes in cold water, it will shave quite a few bucks on your energy bill.

Heat is not our fashion friend, it breaks down the dye in clothes and can also shrink them. To retain your clothes size and shape, and save energy, just wash them in cold water. If you’re anything like us, you try to push back laundry day as far as possible. Check out our article on how to wash your clothes, hint: you don’t have to wash them everyday. Go ahead, tell your mom, your roommate your significant other, 8Shades told you that ; )

Let this be your light bulb moment, save money and save the world by making the world greener.