Soaring energy costs impact different aspects of our lives, including our monthly budgets. One silver lining is that this dynamic has driven down consumption.
You may think you are already doing everything you can to limit your home’s energy costs. But you may be surprised to learn that there are several small changes you can make to take keep as low as possible.
The information below will let you know how you can save energy and reduce your energy bill every month. Keep reading to find out more.
Appliances
Purchasing energy-efficient appliances is a great way to keep your home’s energy costs down. But this usually happens incrementally, as they wear out.
Regardless of what appliances you have, one easy thing you can do is to unplug them when they are not in use. Sure, you can’t unplug your refrigerator, but toasters, coffee makers, or other devices you only use once a day (or less) should be unplugged.
This limits “vampire loads,” or electricity consumed by the device when it is off or in standby mode. Avoiding such waste could reduce total energy consumption by as much as 25 percent.
Electronics
You can do the same thing for electronics. But many of these devices, like laptops and cell phones, need to charge. Or–as with desktop computers–it is not feasible to unplug them after every time you stop using them.
A great alternative is an advanced power strip for computers and entertainments centers. These disallow devices from siphoning excess energy from your home. If you have an energy meter, it’s a good way to see which electronics are consuming the most energy and at what times of the day.
Besides unplugging your appliances, you can make adjustments to them so that they use less energy. One example is to raise the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer. Using cold or warm water in your clothes washing machines is another way to reduce energy consumption.
Thermostats
Smart thermostats are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy-saving capabilities. You can use them to set schedules and make adjustments based on the temperature in different rooms.
They can use your phones to determine when you and your family members leave your home and adjust the temperature. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning down your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees before leaving your home for eight hours every day can reduce your annual energy costs by up to 15 percent.
Insulation
Properly air sealing your home will ensure that hot or cool air stays in. Some utilities will perform tests for free so that you can identify problem areas.
Upgrading your windows may be a good way to increase insulation. If you are not in a position to do so, you might consider resealing them to limit air leakage. Also, there are products like solar screens, which are inexpensive exterior window treatments that can further insulate your home.
Learn More About Reducing Home Energy Costs
Now that you know you can reduce your energy expenses, you can save money and help the environment. Making your home more energy efficient is a smart way to cut down on waste and keep more money in your pocket.
We hope you found this information on saving on energy costs and reducing home expenses helpful. If so, be sure to check out some of our other home improvement posts, as well as those on travel, technology, health, business, and many other topics.