Looking for low- or no-cost ways to save on your energy bill? Let’s explore how some simple changes at home can help you save money and stay comfortable.
Heating and cooling
One of the biggest ways you can reduce your energy bill is strategic use of how and when you heat and cool your home.
Use a smart and programmable thermostat and set a schedule, having the heat or AC run less during times you are away or sleeping. Recommended thermostat settings for when you are home are 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer.
Your shades, blinds and drapes can also help you save on heating and cooling costs by using natural light to your advantage. On a hot, sunny day, close the blinds to prevent the hot sunlight from warming up the inside of your home. Your AC will work less to maintain a constant temperature.
When the weather is cold but sunny, do the opposite. Open up your blinds to let the sunlight warm up your home, making your furnace work less. Also, try layering up clothing or using a blanket when relaxing, rather than raising the heat.
hen the weather is warm, try keeping your indoor temperature a little higher, but use a fan to circulate air. Moving air will make you feel cooler without running the air conditioner. Don’t forget to turn off the fan when you leave the room!
To keep your furnace or air conditioner running as efficiently as possible, make sure to keep them regularly maintained. Also, remember to periodically replace the air filter on your furnace. A dirty or clogged air filter alone can reduce the unit’s efficiency by 5% to 15%.
Remember to identify and seal any air leaks you find to keep your home comfortable. If you see any daylight or feel a breeze around your doors or windows, seal any cracks or gaps with caulk or weatherstripping.
Appliances, electronics and lighting
Next, let's look at appliances, electronics and lighting. These are some of the most sneaky energy users in your home and often go overlooked.
Ever had a family member remind you to shut off the lights when you leave a room? They are right! It all adds up, so with anything that uses electricity, from lighting to electronics and appliances, simply using them less or turning them off will save you money.
Replace all incandescent or CFL bulbs in your home with LED bulbs, which use up to 90% less energy.
You also can use timers or motion sensors on outdoor exterior lighting to turn them on only when needed.
Some electronics do not run at their highest efficiency by default. Electronics that are energy hogs, like game consoles, computers or TVs, could have power management features like a “power saver mode” in the settings so they use less energy, or automatically shut down while idle.
Some electronics use power even when they are off. Groups of electronics like computers, chargers and printers can be plugged into a power strip that can be switched off when not in use. There also are advanced and smart power strips available that can automatically switch off connected devices on the strip.
Cooking and cleaning
Cooking and cleaning can get repetitive and automatic over time. Here are some tips to change up your routine and find savings.
When doing laundry, always wash and dry with full loads. That way you get the most out of the energy you use. Washing in cold water not only saves your clothes, but also can save the average household as much as $40 a year in heating costs.
Most dryers are equipped with a moisture sensor. Using this setting versus the timer will ensure you are not running the dryer when your clothes are already dry. You also can use the air dry setting on your machine to save. If the weather is nice, skip the dryer and hang your laundry outside to dry.
When cleaning yourself, try to avoid taking long showers that use lots of hot water. Setting a timer can help remind you when it's time to finish up.
In the kitchen, cook up some savings by balancing the use of small appliances like a toaster oven, microwave, air fryer or slow cooker and your cooking range.
When using the oven, try to avoid opening the door while cooking.
Make sure gas burners are clean for efficient use. Covering cooking pots and matching the pot to the burner size can save about $36 a year, if you have an electric range.
Avoid common energy wasters when it comes to dishwashing. Rather than pre-rinsing dishes, which can use up to 20 gallons of water alone, simply scrape food off dishes and into the garbage. Run only when full, avoid water-heating boost when possible and select the no-heat drying option.
The more full your refrigerator, the less energy it takes to keep your food cool. Set hot foods out to cool before putting them away.
Keeping your refrigerator properly maintained only requires a coil-cleaning brush, if there are exposed coils at the bottom or rear. You also should check and replace door seals if they're not airtight.
Adjusting some of your household habits can lead to savings over time. Try one or two things at a time and go at your own pace. Eventually, try to master all of these energy-saving habits!
Now that you know lots of ways to save energy at home, talk to your family members or housemates. Together, you can make a plan to implement some or all of these tips to help save money.
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