Change light bulbs to more energy saving bulbs
Fluorescent lighting can be cheaper to buy, but will be more expensive in the long run; as they consume more energy.
It is recommended to change to LED lighting, which is the most energy-efficient lighting option in stores at the moment. LED lighting is more expensive to buy, but will save more energy, thus reducing a household’s energy bill.
Change to more energy efficient appliances when it is time to replace old appliances.
Old household appliances often have a tendency to use more energy and, therefore, to increase the energy bill. When an appliances’ life cycle has reached its end, it is smart to change to a modern, energy saving appliance. Energy saving appliances may be priced higher, but the savings in energy consumption will make up for the higher price.
Use timers
Timers are a great help when trying to save energy; they make saving much easier for households, thanks to their ease of use.
After the initial set up, the programmed timers will handle the heaters, Christmas lights, and so on. This means they will not accidentally be left on to inflate the energy bill.
Wash your clothes in lower temperatures
Washing clothes in lower temperatures is as friendly for the environment, as it is for the energy bill.
When washing clothes in cold temperatures, there will be less energy consumed when heating the water. This will subsequently result in lower energy bills.
Have Shorter Showers
Unless you particularly enjoys cold showers, taking a shower consumes energy when the water is heated to a pleasant temperature.
According to the Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union “an average shower is 13 minutes and in that time we waste 63 liters of water.”
As many do not take pleasure in ice cold showers, it is beneficial to keep showers as short as possible to save on energy.
Double-glaze your windows
Many households lose a lot of heat that leaks out of their windows. This means these households need to keep their heaters running for longer at higher temperatures than households with better insulation.
Getting your windows double-glazed may feel like a large investment. However, it is a one-time expense and will save a lot of money on your electricity bills in the long run.
Turn off the lights when you are not in the room
Although energy saving light bulbs have contributed to some significant savings in energy usage, it is still recommended to turn off lights in rooms that are not being used, for extra energy savings.
Getting your windows double-glazed may feel like a large investment. However, it is a one-time expense and will save a lot of money on your electricity bills in the long run.
When washing dishes or clothes, wash a full load
People often wash half loads in their washing machines, which is not recommended when wanting to save energy. If at all possible, it is recommended to wait until you have enough clothes or dishes to fill up the whole machine. This way there is less water and energy usage.
Do not leave your computer or TV in standby mode
Computers, stereos and TVs use up energy even though they have been turned off. Often appliances like these default to standby modes when turned off. While in standby modes they are still using up energy.
The best way to get around this is to turn off the power in the power board, so the electricity will be cut off completely when the appliance is not in use. This can be accomplished by purchasing a smart surge protector that does this automatically for you.
Lastly, you can look into powering your home by an alternative method like solar energy. Depending on where you are located you may qualify for incentives that will allow you to get solar on your home without winning the lottery or paying anything out of your pocket!
Solar Directory works in many different states with the top national solar companies. They can help determine if you are eligible for one of these programs and luckily, if you are, you could be saving over $50,000 just by going solar!
Try our Solar Savings Calculator to see how much solar can save you!
