These days, almost everything is powered by electricity: gadgets, appliances, lights, heat, and now, even bikes and cars. While it is true that using electricity instead of gas is cleaner and better for the environment, the downside is that with more electricity that we consume, the higher our electricity bill is. It is, therefore, a good idea to arm yourself with tips and tricks on reducing energy consumption and boosting energy efficiency around the house. Not only will you be utilizing energy efficient products and lowering your electricity bill, you will also be contributing to energy conservation.
Below are a few tips and tricks to boost energy efficiency around your home. Energy efficiency means that you will be utilizing less energy to produce the same results. Having an energy efficient home is a wonderful way to contribute to safeguarding the environment because it reduces the amount of CO2 emissions, not to mention reducing the cost of your electricity bill.
Tips and Tricks:
- Switch off and unplug appliances and electronics that are not being used.
Apart from the obvious like turning the lights, air conditioner, or heater off in a room when no one is there, many people do tend to leave things plugged in and on “standby” even when those appliances or gadgets are not being used. But even on standby, these gadgets and appliances and other electrical equipment can still consume electricity. A laptop on standby, for instance, can consume around 70 watts per second. A plugged-in phone charger, even when the phone isn’t attached, still uses electricity. As much as ten percent of your electricity usage could be traced to plugged in electrical equipment that is on standby.
- Purchase and use energy-efficient items.
It may seem counter-intuitive to save money by purchasing energy-efficient products, but because of how much electricity we consume on a daily basis, purchasing these energy-efficient products will help you save on your electricity bill in the long run. There are now plenty of energy-efficient light bulbs and globes in the market. Other energy-efficient products you can look at include refrigerators and water heaters. When you shift to energy-efficient products and appliances, particularly those that are used and turned on daily, if not continuously, shifting to lower energy consumption products can yield high savings when your electrical bill becomes due.
- Make sure that you use your appliances and electronic equipment efficiently.
Sometimes, it may be as much about how you use your gadgets and appliances as to how much energy they consume. There are plenty of ways by which you can save on energy and electricity, simply by changing the way you use your appliances. For instance, make sure that the refrigerator door is sealed tight and that it is set at optimal temperatures (usually 4 or 5 degrees). You can also save energy by always washing a full load when using the dishwasher, as well as the washing machine. Finally, making sure that your air conditioner is kept clean and well-maintained not only prolongs its life but also cuts down on electrical consumption and boosts its efficiency by at least five percent. Don’t use an air conditioner or heater if you don’t really need to. Use fans instead, open windows, wear the right clothing for the weather and temperature. By doing these things, you can reduce the amount of time that the heater or the air conditioner is plugged in and operating, and this can potentially lead to huge savings on your next electrical bill.
- Only pay for energy that you use.
Aside from unplugging devices you aren’t using, you can take this concept a bit further by using motion sensors for lights that you leave on all night. That way you have the convenience of the lights when you need them, without having to pay for their energy consumption even when you aren’t using them. In the same vein, you can use timers on your fans as well as your water heaters. This means that you only heat water when you need them, and can have your fan on and running just long enough to air out a room, even when you’re not there. You can hire a roofer to install solar panels and save a hefty sum of money on electricity
- Explore alternative energy sources
And last but not the least, there are exciting developments in the alternative, renewable energy system such as solar power. And the great thing about it is that homeowners can now purchase and install solar powers in their own homes, thus generating power and electricity for a more energy efficient household.
