There are many reasons why saving energy is good for your home, whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint or save money on monthly energy bills. While many homeowners cannot afford major renovation projects or installing solar panels, there are other ways to save energy for your home.
Reducing energy use can be difficult, but there are a few tricks that can help make it easier and more affordable. Some methods are even free!
Use natural light to Save Energy
You’ll be surprised at how well this little trick works. By simply turning off the lights you don’t need and using natural light whenever possible, you’ll see big savings on your energy bills. In the winter, daylight hours can be limited in the winter and you will rely more on indoor lighting, but in the summer, you can definitely enjoy that sunshine!
Using natural light not only saves energy in your home but also improves your mood! Luckily, increasing your use of natural light isn’t difficult, and if you make the effort, you can benefit in more ways than one.
Disconnect unused devices
Many people forget to turn off their electronic devices when they are not in use, but this can be the cause of much of the energy consumption. Whether it’s a toaster, laptop, TV, or heater, unplugging appliances when they’re not in use or charging can save energy.
Many devices in your home actually use electricity even when they are turned off. Smart TVs use energy to stay connected to WiFi and the remote control even when they are turned off. Coffee machines use energy to save settings and be ready for use at any time. Even fully charged laptops and cell phones continue to draw power from their power supply.
While this may mean waiting a few extra seconds for a device to turn back on, unplugging devices that aren’t in use can reduce power consumption by up to 10%.
Buy energy efficient appliances
Home appliances can be expensive, so many people choose cheaper options and may not even think to look at the energy consumption figures. However, appliances can be huge energy consumers, and buying energy efficient appliances can have a noticeable impact on your energy consumption.
Use a device power calculator to determine how much power your device requires. This will give you a clear idea of how much certain appliances in your home cost to run and which appliances you should swap out for more energy efficient ones.
Rethink your washing habits
Washing machines and dryers are super useful, but they can also use a lot of energy. To save energy, use the cold water setting on your washing machine, as this avoids using too much energy to heat the water with each load. You should also adjust your clothing preferences based on how big or small your load is.
If you are concerned about the effectiveness of washing your clothes in cold water, you should consider buying cold water detergents. Specially designed for washing clothes in cooler water, these detergents will keep your clothes fresh and clean.
Another change you need to make to your washing habits involves your dryer. During the warmer months, hang your clothes to dry instead of putting them in the dryer. You save energy by not operating the machine, and your clothes can air out naturally. This is usually better for the materials and helps the clothes last longer.
Check out your shower
Everyone loves a hot, steamy shower, but it can have a huge impact on your water and energy bills. However, if you like long, hot showers and aren’t willing to give up, there are still options.
Look for a low flow shower head. By installing a low-flow showerhead instead of a regular showerhead, you can reduce the amount of water used when showering, thereby helping to reduce energy consumption. You can still take a hot shower and there’s plenty of water, but you’ll save energy without even trying.
Try energy-saving light bulbs
Nowadays, most people understand that LED lights cost less. They use less energy but are still quite bright, making them a good choice for households looking to save energy.
A new form of energy-saving lamp is the light-sensitive lamp. These lamps use smart technology to measure the amount of natural light in a room and turn it off when it is not needed. This is a great solution for people who have young children or can’t think of turning off the light themselves.
Try different isolation methods
Summer or winter, good insulation will help reduce the amount of work your HVAC system has to do to keep your home at a reasonable temperature. While many people simply adjust the thermostat to be more energy efficient, you can also try additional methods of insulating your home to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Planting shrubs and plants around your home is a perfect solution for anyone looking for a natural solution. They act as a windbreak around your home and provide shade during the summer heat.
Another method is to use thick curtains. If made of heavy, dark materials, curtains around windows can create a damper that could let in hot or cold air. In summer they prevent the sun from heating up a room. In winter, they prevent cold wind from penetrating the glass.
Make the change today
For many homeowners, saving energy is an issue that is difficult to confront. As energy prices soar and more homeowners seek to save money or turn to renewable options, it can often be overwhelming to begin the journey. However, by just taking one step at a time, you can work to save energy in your home in a way you can afford.
