Top 10 ways to conserve energy

 

Top 10 ways to conserve energy

1. Adjust your daily routine

To reduce energy consumption in your home, you do not need to go out and buy energy-efficient products. Energy saving can be as simple as turning off lights or appliances if you don't need them. You can also use less energy-efficient items by doing household chores by hand, such as drying your clothes instead of drying them, or washing dishes by hand.

Highly efficient energy-saving behavioral adjustments reduce the temperature on your thermostat in winter and use your air conditioner in the summer. Heating and cooling costs make up about half of the total amount paid for home use, so this reduction in energy and quantity of heat and cooling provides significant savings.

There are tools you can use to find out where most of your electricity goes in your home and which machines use the most electricity on a daily basis.

2. Install your light bulbs

Traditional light bulbs use a lot of electricity and should be replaced more often than their energy-efficient methods. Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80 percent less electricity and last three to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs .

Although electric bulbs are more expensive on the shelf, their efficient use and longevity mean they are less expensive over time.

3. Use smart tracts

"Phantom loads," or electronics that are used when turned off or in standby mode, are a major source of energy. In fact, it is estimated that 75% of the energy used to power a home is used when it is turned off, which can cost you up to $ 200 a year. Smart power straps, also known as advanced power strips, eliminate the problem of phantom loads by shutting off power electronics when not in use. Smart power strips can be set to be turned off at a given time, during inactivity, using remote switches, or depending on the status of the “master” device.

4. Install a fixed or smart thermostat

A built-in thermostat can be set to automatically shut down or reduce heat and cooling during sleep or absence. By installing a built-in thermostat, you eliminate the use of dissipation power from heating and cooling without upgrading your HVAC system.

On average, a well-designed thermostat can save you $ 180 a year. Scheduled thermostats come in a variety of models that can be set to fit your weekly schedule. Additional features of adjustable thermostats can include indicators when to change air filters or HVAC system problems, which also improve the performance of your heating and cooling system.