Strange weather we’ve been having recently, isn’t it? With temperatures soaring and then plunging, it can be difficult to efficiently manage your energy usage, and costs can begin to spiral.
Reducing your home’s overall energy usage can save both your wallet and the environment. But how can you use less energy and save a packet in the process?
Keep reading for 5 tips on how to save electricity at home.
1. SWITCH OUT YOUR LIGHTBULBS
Traditional incandescent light bulbs are energy-hungry but often overlooked. In fact, households spend around 5% of their energy bill on lighting up their homes.
Happily, there’s now a wide range of energy-saving alternatives available to consumers. These include:
- LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
- CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps)
- Halogen Incandescents
While the outlay for these bulbs may be higher than you’re used to, in the long run, they’ll actually often pay for themselves in less than a year, and then start saving you money.
For even greater savings, pair your light bulbs with a smart controller so you’ll only use light when you need it.
2. GET A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
While replacing your old HVAC system with a new, efficient model, may be beyond your budget right now, you can still reign in your usage with a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat allows you to control the temperature of your home, it does something more. Set up your system to turn on when you’re at home, and off when you’re not, so you don’t waste energy – or money, either.
3. OPT FOR ENERGY STAR RATED APPLIANCES
It’s not realistic to go out and replace all your old appliances with models that’ll save you money, straight away. But when you do need to replace that refrigerator, microwave, washer or dryer, choose one that’s got the ENERGY STAR logo.
ENERGY STAR products saved Americans households $34 billion on their energy bills in 2015 alone.
There are hundreds of products available that will reduce home running costs from large appliances to electronics. Just look for the logo and watch the savings roll in.
4. CHECK YOUR INSULATION
When your home leaks air, it’s leaking money. What do we mean?
Heating and cooling your home uses a significant amount of energy. Keep that temperature-controlled air inside and you’ll be fine.
Once that air starts leaking outside of the home, though, the air you’ve spent money trying to heat or cool, is lost.
To stop this happening, check and upgrade your home’s insulation. Make sure window frames are tight and sealed, stop up gaps under doors, and add insulation to your roof space.
5. LIVE MINDFULLY
Energy-saving alterations and improvements to your home will definitely save you money, but to really help the environment – and your wallet – you’ll need to change the way you live.
We’re not talking big changes – just a few little ones.
Spend less time in the shower, to save on water heating. Remember to close the refrigerator door between trips to unload your groceries from the car. Turn lights off when you leave a room. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
It’s the small changes that make a big difference when it comes to how to save electricity at home. So, live mindfully and saving energy will become a way of life.
THE TAKEAWAY ON HOW TO SAVE ELECTRICITY AT HOME
The weather outside might be frightful, but with a little bit of planning, you can make sure your home is cozy without breaking the budget.
Use energy-efficient products and appliances. Be in control of your energy output. Live a little more mindfully when you’re pottering around in the home. Keep our 5 tips in mind and you’ll soon be saving energy at home with your eyes closed.
Do you want to live even greener by investing in an energy-efficient home? Check out the homes we build using green construction, and see how much you could save.
