Some practical ideas for cutting down on your home’s energy consumption:
- Use energy-efficient appliances. When you need to buy new appliances, look for the Energy Star label. This label indicates that the appliance meets certain energy efficiency standards.
- Unplug electronics when you’re not using them. Even when they’re turned off, many electronics continue to use power. Unplugging them can help you save energy and money.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room. This is a simple way to reduce your energy consumption.
- Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. Heating water accounts for a significant portion of your home’s energy consumption. Washing clothes in cold water can help you save energy and money.
- Hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. Clothes dryers use a lot of energy. Hanging your clothes to dry is a free and energy-efficient way to dry your clothes.
- Seal air leaks around your doors and windows. Air leaks can waste a lot of energy. Sealing air leaks can help you save energy and money.
- Add insulation to your attic and walls. Insulation can help to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Adding insulation to your attic and walls can help you save energy and money.
- Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set your thermostat to different temperatures at different times of the day. This can help you save energy and money by lowering the temperature at night and when you’re away from home.
- Plant trees around your home. Trees can help to shade your home in the summer and block the wind in the winter. This can help you save energy and money on your heating and cooling costs.
- Take shorter showers. Showers use a lot of hot water, which can waste energy. Taking shorter showers can help you save energy and money.
- Fix leaky faucets and pipes. Leaky faucets and pipes can waste a lot of water, which can lead to higher water bills. Fixing leaky faucets and pipes can help you save water and money.
- Clean your refrigerator coils regularly. Dirty refrigerator coils can make your refrigerator work harder, which can waste energy. Cleaning your refrigerator coils regularly can help your refrigerator run more efficiently and save energy.
- Use a smart power strip. A smart power strip can help you save energy by turning off electronics when they’re not in use.
- Make energy efficiency a priority when remodeling. When you’re remodeling your home, consider energy-efficient options such as energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation, and appliances.
- Upgrade power hungry appliances. Old air conditioners may still work, but at a cost. Some new air conditioners can save you money each month when combined with low interest financing.
- Change old light bulbs. New LED bulbs can light a room for a fractions of the cost. Don’t forget to change your outside bulbs that may stay on all night long.
By following these tips, you can make your home more energy-efficient and save money on your energy bills.