It’s no secret that electricity prices have been steadily increasing over the years. The reason behind this is a man’s need to lead a more comfortable lifestyle, which translates to increased energy use. However, this need has also made a significant impact on the environment, which is why it’s important that some changes be made in order to preserve the environment. The simplest and most effective way to do it would be to lower our household energy consumption. Here, a list of five energy-saving tips to help get you started.
Turn off appliances and devices when they’re not in use
The first tip on our list is something you should practice on a daily basis. Whenever we’re not using a device, many of us will simply leave it plugged in or on standby. However, this doesn’t mean that the devices aren’t using any energy. This is the so-called ‘vampire power’, and it can result in a higher monthly energy bill without you even utilizing the energy you’re paying for. To prevent it, you can turn off the lights when you aren’t in the room, unplug your devices (like laptops and phones) when they are charging, and turn off the TV when it’s not in use. Be sure to match this with an electric plan that fits your budget by comparing electricity rates in your state. Also, when you’re going somewhere for a couple of days, make sure to unplug all your electronics. It’s a basic money-saving hack that will significantly reduce your energy bills.
Make a switch to green power
Electricity makes our lives easier, and most of us couldn’t imagine spending a day without relying on it to perform even the simplest of our daily chores. However, increased use of electricity leads to a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which further exacerbates issues such as climate change and global warming. Switching to green power is a logical solution to this problem and it makes more financial sense as well. For instance, relying on solar panels can be a great way to produce your own electricity and save some money in the process. With the help of a high-quality solar inverter, one can easily generate clean, renewable energy, thus optimizing the energy efficiency of their home. By making a switch to green power, not only will you be able to slash your monthly bills but you’ll also be helping the environment, so it’s a win-win all around.
Install a programmable thermostat
Another way to reduce your household’s energy use would be to install a programmable thermostat. It can be set to automatically switch off heating or cooling or to simply reduce it when you’re not at home or when you’re sleeping. That way, no energy is wasted, and you get to save a significant amount of money on a yearly basis. Setting a thermostat just one degree lower can potentially save you a couple of hundreds of dollars annually, which is great considering how you won’t be sacrificing comfort in the process. When they’re used correctly, thermostats can end up saving you up to 30% on your energy bills.
Upgrade your windows
Surely, we all have some appliances that need to be updated, but what about our windows? When deciding which upgrades to make, windows are usually neglected, yet they’re often the ones contributing to heat loss or heat gain, depending on the climate of the region you live in. Preventing this energy waste can be as easy as replacing old, single-pane windows for more energy-efficient ones. When updating your windows, go for double-glazed ones. Other than preventing the heat from escaping or entering your home, they can also help minimize the noise while also acting as additional insulation.
Invest in energy-efficient home appliances
Considering how the estimated energy use of home appliances amounts to 13% of monthly energy bills, it’s understandable that some homeowners would want to lower that percentage. The reason why those numbers are high might be due to the inefficiency of the current home appliances that we use. Surely, investing in new, energy-efficient appliances may be pricey, but when you take into account their low operating cost, it starts to make more financial sense than keeping the old, non-energy efficient appliances. When looking for new appliances, search for those with an Energy Star label, as they’re guaranteed to use less energy than standard models. Want to take things a step further? Get a couple of high tech kitchen gadgets to make your home even smarter. While the appliances will be saving you money, smart gadgets will be saving you time, which makes them an investment worth considering.
No matter how small some of these changes may seem, they will all add up. The important thing is to take the first step and start making more eco-conscious decisions. That way, we’ll be doing a big favor, not just to ourselves, but the environment as well.
