No doubt, saving energy is directly connected to reducing your electricity bill, meaning when you accomplish one, you will achieve the other as well. There are several ways to conserve energy at home (and several reasons why you should do it!), but some are easier than others, which is why we bring you easy lifestyle changes that can conserve energy at home and save you some significant cash.
Buy energy-efficient appliances
Energy-efficient appliances today are increasingly popular as people become aware of their role in the dangers being brought to our environment. Unfortunately, one of the most energy-intensive appliances are those we so commonly use around the house. Air conditioners are notorious for producing a significant amount of electricity to produce cool air, particularly during the summer months.
By investing in energy-efficient air conditioners (among other eco-friendly appliances), households can significantly reduce their energy consumption and, therefore, their energy bills. Energy-efficient appliances require less electricity to operate, prolonging their lifespan and making them less prone to electricity fluctuations. Investing in eco-friendly appliances is a no-brainer and a cost-effective way to conserve energy in the long term.
Purchase energy-efficient bulbs
According to the US Department of Energy, lighting accounts for approximately 15% of the average household’s electric bill. However, this cost can be significantly reduced by making the switch to energy-saving bulbs.
Energy-saving alternatives such as CFL and LEDs not only last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, but also use significantly less energy than their counterparts. This means significant cost savings for consumers over time.
Furthermore, these bulbs have the added benefit of producing less heat, which also means you would no longer need to keep the air conditioner at the highest setting, thus lowering the cooling costs during the summer months. Through this approach, consumers can definitely make a positive impact on the environment and their wallets.
Switch to solar energy
Switching to solar is a pretty popular way to conserve energy, reduce carbon footprint, and save money. Solar panels have a lifespan of over 25 years, require minimal maintenance, and can generate clean electricity for households and businesses all day long.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the average solar panel is able to generate 1.24 kilowatts of energy per year, saving a fair chunk of energy that would have been otherwise taken up from the grid..
Solar energy systems can also fairly increase the value of homes and businesses. In the United States, the Solar Investment Tax Credit provides a federal tax credit for solar installations, further incentivising the switch for consumers.
Replace Air filters regularly
Replacing air filters regularly may seem to be not very effective, but is actually a really simple yet legitimate way to conserve energy by a fair margin. It has been shown to reduce energy consumption by 5-15%, which could result in monthly savings of significant cash per month. Apart from energy savings, a dirty air filter can cause reduced airflow, leading to poor air quality and potentially clogging up the entire system, which could lead to costing hundreds of dollars for maintenance.
The frequency of air filter replacement, however, depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of filter, the number of occupants, and the level of air pollution. Generally, it is best to check air filters at least once a month and replace them if they are dirty or clogged to ensure optimal energy efficiency as well as air quality.
Disconnect idle devices
The US Department of Energy mentions that disconnecting idle devices can save up to 10% on your energy bill every month. This is because electronics continue to consume energy even when not in use, making them what we call “energy vampires”.
For instance, computers, printers, and gaming consoles all use standby power, called “phantom load,” which can account for as much as 10% of a household’s energy consumption.
Unplugging devices when they’re not in use or done charging can extend their lifespan, as it minimizes the wear and tear caused by overcharging and does not cause unnecessary energy drain. Overall, reducing idle energy consumption is a simple yet effective way to save money and conserve energy at home.
Insulate the house
Although this is a more complex approach, insulating your home is an effective way to conserve energy and reduce monthly heating and cooling expenses. This is targeted more towards people who are renovating or building their new home; sealing air leaks and properly insulating attics, walls, floors, and crawl spaces can reduce you bill by up to 15 percent. Apart from this, insulation also improves indoor comfort by avoiding energy waste such as lower heat loss, better air quality, and minimized noise levels.
Turn the thermostat on low
One easy yet often overlooked way to save money and conserve energy is by turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. This can save a significant amount of energy loss on heating and cooling annually.
While this tip may be more targeted towards milder climates where you don’t feel a lot of heat by lowering the thermostat power, all households can benefit from this simple adjustment.
Laundry
Air dry clothes
Air drying clothes as opposed to using a machine wash dryer can definitely help reduce energy consumption and electricity costs. According to research, using a clothesline can save up to 6% on a household’s energy consumption. Another benefit to this approach is that clothes dry more gently without the forced heat, increasing their lifespan. Air drying also reduces static cling and wrinkles, resulting in lesser need for ironing.
Use cold water to wash your clothes
Washing clothes with cold water as an alternative to hot water helps reduce your carbon footprint significantly. About 75-90% of the energy used by washing machines goes towards warming water.
By switching to cold water, you can reduce energy consumption and find that cold water also achieves comparable results. In fact, washing with cold water helps extend the lifespan of clothes and prevents colour fading.
Replace the dryer filter regularly
Like the air filter we previously mentioned, replacing your dryer filter regularly is a simple yet effective way to save money and conserve energy. Dirty filters can increase energy consumption by 5 to 10 percent as the machine operates under increased load.
Usually, pieces of clothing such as dryer sheets can often leave residue on the filter, which reduces airflow. If you don’t want to spend money to replace the filter, consider scrubbing your filter instead monthly with a brush which might get you more washes out of it.
Wash clothes in loads
This is an obvious one but worth mentioning: washing clothes in fuller loads can significantly conserve energy. According to Energy Star,full loads can save up to 3,400 gallons of water and reduce annual energy usage by 25% on your laundry.
Kitchen
Close refrigerator doors tightly
A common mistake among households is leaving refrigerator doors open while loading or unloading groceries. Even if we need to fetch something from the fridge, we often forget to completely close the door which leaves a small gap from where the cool air keeps leaking.
As simple as it may seem, this habit comes with an unintended high cost. Leaving the refrigerator door open causes a significant amount of cold air to escape, and consequently, warm air from the room replaces it, causing the compressor to keep eating up more electricity to maintain the temperature.
Similarly, poorly sealed doors could lead to greater energy consumption, causing food spoilage and energy wastage. To prevent this, it’s important to ensure that your refrigerator doors are tightly sealed. A simple way to check for leakages is by placing a piece of paper between the seals and the door. If the paper is moving, it’s an indication that you need better seals.
Avoid using microwave
Microwave ovens due to their ease of use and convenience are part of pretty much every household today, but their energy usage can quickly add up. Running a microwave for just 15 minutes a day can use up to 73 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Avoiding the microwave or (more practically) minimizing its use can be a simple and effective solution. Alternatives such as stovetop cooking, slow cookers, and toaster ovens can be just as efficient and provide a wider range of cooking options.
Set time for cooking food
Setting a specific time for cooking is an easy routine that can help you save money and conserve energy. Not only does this save energy, but also reduces prep time and encourages meal planning. The energy required to heat the oven or hob once for batch cooking is minuscule compared to the energy wasted by constantly reheating that we often tend to do at home.