The Top 7 Ways To Save Energy at Home

The average family home spends $1,600 on energy bills. No one wants huge energy bills, so let’s find ways to use your money efficiently. You can save big on energy by investing in little things at home. It will not only be kind to the environment, but also save you money. For example, you can save energy when you do vinyl window replacements in your home as they keep the cold and heat inside the house more effectively than normal windows would. This is a major way to reduce your energy costs and have a more comfortable home year round. Going green starts at home. Here are seven other ways that can help you save energy at home.

#1. Use LED Light Bulbs.

LED bulbs are popular in homes and offices. When LED lights were first introduced, it was the beginning of a new era. They entered our homes in the form of Christmas lights, but over the years have been implemented in all types of home lighting. So why have people decided to use LED bulbs instead of using the old incandescent bulbs? The answer is simple, they are energy efficient. An LED bulb uses 2-17 watts to light a room while an incandescent bulb used 45 watts. Moreover, you can choose various LED bulbs according to your desired brightness level. Here are other advantages of using LED lights:

1. LED bulbs are long-lasting. They can last 41.6 times longer than incandescent.
2. They are durable, thus they are not prone to breaking when jarred or bumped.
3. LED lights do not produce heat compared to the incandescent bulbs. The latter produces an average of 85 BTUs per hour while LED bulbs only produce 3.4 BTUs per hour.
4. LED bulbs do not contain any mercury, unlike CFL bulbs. It is well known that mercury can cause deformity in young children.

#2. Unplug Domestic Appliances When Not in Use.

A majority of home electronic appliances are usually left plugged in the socket even when they are not in use. You might think because the device is not switched on that it will not consume a lot of energy. However, this is not the case. If you are concerned about saving energy, then you should go around your home ensuring that appliances which are not in use are unplugged. Some applicable items are:

1. Lamps
2. Toasters
3. TVs
4. Desktop computers
5. VCR/DVDs
6. Modems
7. Coffee makers

Investing in a power strip will help you regulate the appliances which need to be unplugged regularly.

#3. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat.

How do you use your thermostat? In most cases, you will switch it to AC during the summer and heat during the winter. On average it is recommended that the thermostat should be set at 74° so that the house can be comfortable. However, you have to admit that it can be quite a hassle having to regulate the house temperature all the time.

Therefore, you should invest in a programmable thermostat which will adjust itself automatically. Moreover, it will help to reduce the cost of energy which is consumed in your home by 15 per cent. But, you can still manually change if you want it warmer or cooler. .

#4. Use Ceiling Fans.

An easy way of reducing energy in your home is by using ceiling fans. It is recommended that during summer you can set the ceiling fan in a clockwise direction which will help to reduce hot air in the house. When it is cold, you can reverse the setting of the fan so that the ceiling fans blows the warm air near the ceiling down into your living space. But be sure to turn 5em off when not in the room.

#5. Conserve Water.

The best way you can conserve water is by installing low flow fixtures. You can install them in your shower, faucets and the toilets. Also, there are simple ways to help reduce the amount of water used. For instance, while you are brushing your teeth or when you are washing the dishes, you should switch off the water when not in use.

#6. Insulate Your Home.

One of the best ways which you can reduce energy loss in your home is by efficiently insulating it. Insulating the ceiling, roof, floor, and the walls so that you can regulate the temperature at home.

#7. Use Landscaping.

You can make a long term investment by planting trees and shrubs around your home. They will provide shade during the summer, while in the winter they provide a good windbreaker.

#8. Close the Doors and Windows.

Ensure that all doors and windows are shut when it is very cold or very hot outside.

New vinyl windows and insulating your home can make a big difference in your power consumption, but even the less expensive methods discussed can reduce your power bill and conserve energy.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.