Energy consumption is certainly one of the biggest environmental concerns. Although the emergence of numerous sustainable energy solutions have reduced our dependence on fossil fuel energy, it is still very important to reduce its consumption for practical reasons. Especially, when it comes to energy consumption at home, there are many things you can do to play your part as an environmentally-friendly citizen. The best bit? You can save a lot on your monthly utility bills as well.
Scroll down to know how you can reduce electricity usage at home without compromising on your quality of life:
1. Unplug Devices When Not in Use
Let’s admit it, most of us leave our appliances plugged in even when they’re not in use. For instance, electrical appliances on standby like videogames, ACs and TV. Keep in mind, all these plugged in appliances suck small amount of energy that obviously adds up each month to your electricity bill. Make sure you unplug appliances if you’re not using them for a while.
2. Use LEDs
Conventional incandescent light bulbs use an exorbitant amount of electricity. Luckily, there are numerous options available out there that are both energy-efficient and functional. For instance, you can replace the traditional light bulbs with halogen incandescent bulbs, CFLs or LEDs as they use 50%-80% less energy than other energy-consuming alternates. Also, these options last more than 20 to 30 times longer than conventional light bulbs.
3. Do it All at Once
Even if you have energy-efficient appliances installed in your home, you should still try to use them together. For example, instead of running an individual cycle, you can pool laundry and do it all at once. Similarly, unless your clothes are too dirty, the heating feature of your washer can definitely be avoided. Try to skip using dryer in summer as you can use your front or backyard to let your clothes dry in natural sunlight. Even if you can’t avoid the dryer, make sure you select the lower settings with more time to save energy.
If possible, air dry your dishes instead of turning the heating feature of your dishwasher on. These simple lifestyle changes will eventually add up in the longer run.
4. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to save energy at home is to invest in smart appliances. As per recent statistics, your home appliances contribute more or less 13% to your overall household energy consumption. When buying any new appliance, just be certain to focus on two important elements – the basic purchase price and the yearly operating cost. While energy-efficient appliances come with a heavier price tag, their annual operating costs are roughly 20% lower than traditional versions.
Apart from purchasing smart appliances, it’s also important to get your equipment checked by a professional appliance repaircompany from time to time. Proper maintenance and care can extend the life expectancy of your appliances.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a long-term investment. Many homeowners waste so much energy by keeping their appliances on throughout the day as they don’t want to go to a cold or a hot house. With a smart thermostat, you can schedule your home’s temperature even if you’re away from home.
6. Insulation is the Key
Even the smallest of problem in your home’s insulation could increase energy usage, both in terms of heating and cooling. Research suggests that up to 20% of the energy used in a household during cold season is due to the heat loss. Proper insulation in your home will ensure that there’s no heat loss during winter.
The good news is that you don’t have to break your bank to acquire proper insulation for your home. There are many DIY tutorials available online that can help you install insulation in an affordable manner.
7. Upgrade Your HVAC System
HVAC is certainly one of the biggest contributors to your monthly electricity expense. Make sure your home is properly ventilated so that you don’t have to use AC often. Similarly, avoid heater consumption by using warm clothes and blankets. Lastly, just make sure to get your HVAC system checked by a reputable company at least twice a year. Remember, the behavior adjustments you make today will pay off in the long run.
Electricity is one of the most precious resources we currently have and we should make every possible effort to save it. Energy conservation not only helps you save money and protect environment but it also increase your property value.
In addition to the above measures, consider reducing your electricity costs by using energy comparison sites to get you the best affordable rates that you can get around your locality. For example, if you reside in Pennsylvania, such resources will help you compare electric rates in Pennsylvania.
Keep in mind, your personal changes might seem insignificant in the beginning, but success and progression will become visible as more and more people become aware of the importance of energy conservation.
What other things you do you think should be added to this list? Please share your feedback below as we would love to hear back.
