Our homes use a lot of power and energy. From the lights always being on, to the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher always running, we rely on our utilities daily. Unfortunately, we pay for this usage every month. In some cases, the costs can add up to more than we are comfortable paying.
While a good way to reduce your energy costs is to find the lowest electricity rate for your home, you can also reduce your consumption of power and energy. This will lower your costs, and also help the environment. Unfortunately for some, reducing power consumption at home is easier said than done. In an effort to help, this article is going to go over some simple ways to save energy, by reducing your consumption.
Switch Off Unused Lights
There are plenty of ways that you can do to make your home less wasteful with power. An easy way to save energy at home is by simply turning off the lights that aren’t used. If possible, utilize natural light during the day, especially if there are plenty of windows in your home. There are various different timers you can use to turn off lights and appliances when they’re not in use.
Consider Using Efficient Appliances and Items
One of the simplest ways to reduce power and energy consumption is to use efficient appliances. This could be your fridge, your dishwasher or even your washing machine and dryer. They will operate just as well (if not better) than traditional options, but use only a fraction of the energy.
Sure, these might be a little more expensive than older and traditional models to buy. However, they will often pay for themselves over time with the amount you will save on your utilities over time. In addition to appliances, consider replacing things like your lights and windows with energy efficient models. A great way to help cut back on your energy costs is to look into various energy-saving technologies. For instance, energy-efficient light bulbs use less electricity than traditional bulbs. For example, efficient light bulbs can use as much as 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, while also lasting much longer.
Eliminate Vampire Power By Unplugging Idle Appliances
One way that you can save electricity is by turning off unused appliances in your home. Most people are not aware of vampire power, which is also referred to as standby power, phantom load, or leaking electricity. Unused appliances draw energy, which can lead to a huge increase in your utility bills if you don’t do anything about it. Unplugging idle electronics may seem challenging at first, but you’ll get used to it with a little discipline.
Get More Vigilant When it Comes to Monitoring Usage
For most of us, power consumption isn’t something we actively think about that often. We may leave electronics and lights on without even thinking of the energy we are wasting. A key to reducing your consumption of power is actually being more cognizant of when you are doing it. Never leave a light or TV on when you leave a room, you can always turn it back on in seconds if you return.
Also, before you go to sleep or go to work for the day, make sure everything is off and/or unplugged. You would be shocked at how much power you can save simply by paying a little more attention. Whether you decide to actually track and monitor usage to see where your problem areas are, or simply make an effort to turn off lights and electronics when not in use, it should have a positive effect on how much power your home consumes.
To effectively reduce power consumption, you should also get in touch with Green Mountain Energy, a company that provides green energy solutions for homes.
Consider Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels are another way to cut down on your energy bills; they harness the power of the sun to power itself, which cuts back on the amount of energy that is used. You can reach out to a professional solar panels installer to discuss the benefits of installing solar panels in your home. Despite the initial costs of owning solar panels, the long-term savings make it a worthwhile investment. Also, you’ll be doing the environment a lot of good by utilizing a free and sustainable source of energy – the sun.
Get Smarter About Heating and Cooling Your Home
Some of the biggest and most expensive energy hogs in our homes are heating and cooling. Most people will run their furnace or air conditioners frequently, which can cost a lot of money and use a lot of energy. Instead of this, find ways to keep your home a comfortable temperature without relying on these methods.
You could install a ceiling fan for more eco-friendly cooling, improve your insulation, keep doors and windows closed and bundle up instead of reaching for the furnace. In addition to this, you could also install and use a smart thermostat. These provide you with many benefits, such as being able to track your energy usage, automating your heat and cooling efforts, and being able to control your temperature remotely.
For example, instead of having to run the heat all day when you’re at work so the home is warm when you get off, you can simply set the heat to start coming on 30 minutes before you arrive. This will ensure the home is still warm and comfortable, but you aren’t wasting a ton of energy by heating an empty home all day.
Whether you use efficient appliances, or simply get better at remaining vigilant, there are plenty of ways to save energy at home by reducing power consumption.
It’s not too late to start conserving power in your home. As a matter of fact, the earlier you start, the more you’ll save on your monthly bills while helping save the planet!
