Lights out!
10 tips to save electricity at home and save money
Image: Kelly Sikkema
The many electrical appliances and systems in a modern home can quickly raise your electricity bill if you don’t take steps to minimize consumption. Fortunately for us, there are many ways to save energy at home. From choosing energy-saving appliances to avoiding leaving lights on in empty rooms, there are countless techniques to save both power and money. Take a look at the following 10 tips. You may already know a few, but perhaps you’ll learn something new that can help!
1
If it’s not in use, turn it off
Image: Chris Haws
We start the list with this well-known advice: turn off the lights when nobody is in the room .
Additionally, switch off appliances completely rather than leaving them on standby, as standby mode continues to consume electricity. Most computers have energy-saving settings that automatically turn off the computer and screen after a period of inactivity.
2
Keep the temperature where you need it
Image: Natalia Y.
Whenever you are heating or cooling a room, remember to close the doors and windows that connect to other unoccupied parts of the building . This way, the heating or cooling equipment you are using will not require more energy than is necessary to maintain the desired temperature where you are.
During cooler months, ensure your curtains or blinds are properly sealed to keep the cold out. In warmer months, keep your curtains closed during the day to prevent heat from entering.
3
Wash and dry clothes once the basket is full
Image: engin akyurt
Avoid using your washing machine when your laundry basket is only half full; instead, use it when you have accumulated a full charge. Also, remember to select the appropriate washing cycle to optimize energy use.
On a related note, clothes dryers consume a significant amount of energy, so consider hanging clothes outside to dry or using a fan to help dry them indoors.
4
Save energy in the kitchen
Image: Jason Briscoe
Your kitchen offers many energy-saving opportunities. The fridge, one of the most energy-intensive appliances, runs 24/7 for obvious reasons but measures can be taken to make it a more efficient device. The ideal fridge temperature for the fridge is between 35° and 38°F. Make sure the door seal is tight, with no gaps or cracks that allow cold air to escape.
As for cooking, always put frozen food in your fridge in the morning to thaw out and reduce cooking time in the evening. Whenever possible, use a microwave, as it consumes significantly less energy than an electric oven. Plan to cook more and have leftover meals for the next day or the week ahead. Keep leftover meals in the freezer for convenience and minimal waste.
5
Smart heating and cooling
Image: Everett Pachmann
It may be tempting to adjust the thermostat a degree or two above or below the recommended settings depending on the season, but there is good reason to avoid doing that. Every degree above 20 can increase your heating bill by up to 10%. In winter, set your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees. In summer, aim for 26 degrees or higher.
Additionally, some ducted systems allow you to disable heating or cooling in unoccupied rooms, which can help save energy.
6
Use energy-saving LED lights
Image: Anton Belashov
LED lighting has been around for a while and can save up to 80% on lighting costs. LED bulbs consume less power and last longer, which means that users spend less money and time replacing them.
Another perk, LEDs generate very little heat compared to incandescent and halogen bulbs, which convert much of their energy into heat. This can reduce cooling costs, especially in warm climates.
7
Solar energy
Image: Andreas Gücklhorn
The energy given to us by the sun can be harvested in solar panels that reduce the amount of energy we need to buy from the electricity company . Similarly, solar hot water systems can minimize gas usage, reducing reliance on gas-fired water heaters.
Solar panels and solar hot water systems used to be very expensive and had to be replaced much more often but, their costs have dropped significantly in recent years, making them more accessible.
8
TV settings
Image: Jonas Leupe
Today's high-definition televisions use around 60% less energy than earlier models. However, some Internet-ready models consume extra power even when turned off due to a "quick start" feature that enables faster boot-up . You can disable that option in your television's settings .
While perusing through the settings, you can also see if your model has an automatic brightness control, which will adjust the picture brightness to the level of light in the room. This can make a big difference in energy consumption.
9
Efficient appliances
Image: Vlad Zaytsev
Most of today's new appliances use half the energy of those from a couple of decades ago. If you're thinking of buying a new one, look for products with the Energy Star label, as they typically use 10 to 40 percent less energy than other models.
If you are going to buy a new computer, keep in mind that laptops use significantly less energy than desktop versions.
10
Insulate your roof
Image: Erik Mclean
Temperature affects air in different ways: heat rises, while cool air sinks. This means that if a house's roof is not properly insulated, heat will escape in the winter, and the cold from outside will seep in through the roof.
An insulated ceiling can make a big difference to your energy bills . Effective ceiling insulation can save up to 20% on cooling and heating costs.
