It doesn’t matter if you are an advocate of conscious consumption or just want to cut your costs a little; there are always ways to save on energy use. Introducing new habits and making minor changes to your surroundings doesn’t take much of your time and effort. Here are five steps to reduce your power usage so that your electricity bill doesn’t take up a significant chunk of your budget.
Table of Contents
Conduct Analysis
The very first step towards improvement is to conduct a thorough analysis. Take a close look at your home, check your daily routine from a new angle, and you can easily find weak points that can be strengthened. A power usage meter will help you with it; using this handy device, you can accurately estimate the amount of the consumed energy. Many of such devices have fairly broad functionality, which is very useful so that you can determine the points where electricity is being wasted unwisely.
You should also slightly observe your living habits and those of your loved ones who share the house with you. It is possible someone does not turn off the light when leaving the room; others forget to switch off a computer or other equipment when not in use. While all this might seem insignificant, the cumulative effect is very high. If you get rid of these “bad” habits, you can save a lot.
Opt for Modern Technology
Once you have identified your weaknesses, you can begin to improve them. Replacing old appliances with energy-efficient devices can be quite costly. However, in the long run, it can be really beneficial. Modern technologies have significantly transformed our lives and continue to change them for the better. With their help, you can take a step towards savings.
As practice shows, when using energy-efficient refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., costs are reduced by about a quarter compared to conventional household appliances. Modern manufacturers follow trends, and now you can find economical counterparts of almost any device in stores.
Use Lighting Correctly
Energy-saving bulbs are also slightly more expensive than conventional ones, but they are designed for the long term. LEDs and CFLs consume significantly less energy (up to 80%) and help reduce overall costs. Plus, they last much longer than old incandescent bulbs (up to 25 times), which means you don’t have to buy new ones too often.
In addition to replacing lamps, remember to always turn off lights in rooms you are not using at the moment. Don’t leave a light in your closet or bedroom unless you plan to return there soon. It might be challenging for some to develop this habit, but they should put in a little effort to change their behavior as it’s worth it and will soon pay off with lower electricity bills.
Thermo Insulate Your Home
Air conditioners and heating devices are among those appliances that really consume a lot of energy. To avoid using them too often, take care to carefully seal any holes through which heat or coolness escapes from your home. Install airtight windows and always close front doors tightly. If you live in a house, insulate a basement, attic, floors, and other areas that are adjacent to the street.
Additionally, instead of constantly changing thermostat settings, you should slightly tweak your home outfit. In cold weather, you can wear a warm sweatshirt, and in summer, choose clothes made of lightweight fabrics. The less often the thermostat goes to the limit, the more you save. Consider buying a fan instead of an air conditioner, as well as buying heavy curtains that block out the sun’s rays and thus unnecessary heat from entering rooms.
Do Some Tasks Manually
Of course, certain tasks are somewhat difficult to do manually. However, some household chores can be done without the use of modern devices. For example, you can skip a dryer and hang your laundry to dry in the fresh air. If you can’t afford energy-efficient appliances yet, try to use a dishwasher or oven you have as little as possible.
The latter is especially useful during warmer months, as you do not have to use an air conditioner to cool the room. You can also try baking several dishes at the same time. This method will shorten the overall cooking time, and, therefore, the operation of your oven.
Final Easy Tips
There are many ways to reduce your energy usage and save money on it. In general, all professional advice boils down to changing your daily habits, so you don’t have to invest a lot of money to become a smart consumer.
Be mindful of what you do daily and turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Even in standby mode, computers, game consoles, television sets, and so on consume power. To make it easier for you to switch off multiple devices, use power strips. With one push of a button, you can turn off several items at once.
