As you’re probably well aware, energy costs are on the rise. And while there are plenty of ways to offset rising cost of living, one way to save on your energy bill (and help out the environment) is by making small changes in your home that can lead to big savings.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can help save energy and money. |
| Reducing your carbon footprint can be achieved through energy efficiency. |
| Creating an energy-efficient home doesn’t have to be expensive. |
| Small changes can add up when it comes to saving energy. |
| Going green with your energy use can benefit both the environment and your wallet. |
These 10 habits will have a positive impact on both your wallet and the planet—so get started now!
Use A Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can save you up to 10% on heating and cooling bills. The device allows you to set the temperature in your home when you are at work or asleep. You can also set it to turn off when you leave the house.
Some models allow you to adjust the temperature remotely, which is great if your home uses both natural gas and electric heaters.
A programmable thermostat has other benefits as well: it makes sure that the air conditioning doesn’t run during times when no one will be home (and thus waste energy)
And it also shuts off before returning from a vacation so that burglars can’t use the AC unit as an entry point into your house while they break-in while pretending they are “just turning down the heating/cooling system for winter/summer season.
Appliances consume a significant amount of energy, but upgrading to energy-efficient models can make a big difference. Learn about the best energy-efficient appliances with our Ultimate Guide to Energy Efficient Appliances and start saving energy and money today.
Turn Your Water Heater Down
Turn your water heater down.
What you’ll need: A new knob or lever
How to do it: Turn the knob or lever on your water heater down by one notch, then check and see if the temperature is still comfortable. If not, turn it back up a notch and leave it there for a few days before adjusting again. Repeat this process until you reach a comfortable level of heat.
Why it works: Heating water uses more energy than any other activity in your home, so turning down the temperature is a great way to start saving energy without sacrificing comfort (or having to take cold showers).
By cutting out just 1 degree from every 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you could save about $60 per year on average—and even more if you live somewhere where temperatures fluctuate widely throughout the year!
Change Your Air Filters Monthly
Changing your air filters monthly is one of the best things you can do to save energy and keep your home comfortable.
Air filters are a key part of your heating and cooling system, but they can’t work efficiently if they’re clogged or dirty. You’ll be surprised at how much dust accumulates on them over time – especially if you have pets or allergies!
The best time to change your filter is in the spring and fall, when there’s a lot less dust in the air. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by allergens outside, it might be worth changing them more often than once a month during summer and winter months.
Reducing your carbon footprint is an important part of living a sustainable lifestyle. Check out our guide on The Secret to Reducing Your Carbon Footprint: Efficiency to learn about easy ways to reduce your impact on the environment.
Don’t Peek In The Refrigerator
Peeking in the refrigerator is something we all do, but it’s not good for you or your fridge. Refrigerators are designed to keep food cold, not cool.
When you open the door, warm air rushes out and pulls in cooler air from outside. This causes your fridge to work harder and use more energy than if you’d just left it alone.
If you need to know what’s in there, open the door for a few seconds instead of letting it stand open for minutes on end—it takes less energy that way!
| Tips | Details |
|---|---|
| Don’t peek in the refrigerator | Every time you open the refrigerator door, cold air escapes and the appliance has to work harder to maintain its temperature. By minimizing how often you open the door, you can reduce energy consumption. |
| Benefits | Reduces energy consumption, saves money on energy bills, and extends the life of your refrigerator. |
| Potential Savings | Up to $10 per year on energy bills. |
| Impact | If every US household refrained from peeking into their refrigerator unnecessarily, it could save enough energy to power 5,000 homes for a year. |
Turn The Lights Off When You Leave A Room
One of the easiest energy-saving habits to adopt is turning off the lights in rooms when you’re not using them. Did you know that for every 10 minutes on an average light, about $1 per year is spent on electricity costs? Even more importantly, leaving a light on can also result in higher air conditioning costs as well.
Nowadays, it’s common practice to have automatic timers on lights so that they turn off automatically after a certain period of time but if you’re like me, sometimes these timers malfunction and leave your lights burning all night long!
To save yourself from unnecessary costs, make sure those automatic timers are working properly at all times (they should be programmed for 15 minutes) so that the lights turn off when no one is present in the room anymore.
If at all possible, try not to use any overhead lighting whatsoever in areas where no one will be spending any time (e.g., stairwells).
The best way around this problem is by installing dimmable LED bulbs or fluorescent fixtures with occupancy sensors; these will automatically adjust their brightness based on how many people are currently occupying each room and shut themselves off if nobody’s there at all!
Creating a more energy-efficient home doesn’t have to be expensive. Our guide on How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient on a Budget offers tips and tricks for making your home more eco-friendly without breaking the bank.
Clean Your Dryer Filter
As you probably know, lint traps catch lint before it gets into your dryer and clogs up the drum. But did you know that there’s a filter on top of the trap as well? It catches even more lint, which means less time spent cleaning out the rest of your dryer.
To clean this one off, simply take off its cover and use compressed air to blow away any dirt or fluff stuck to it (you can find a compressed air hose at any hardware store).
Then wipe down the metal screen with an old rag or paper towel moistened with soapy water (dish soap works great).
Wash Laundry In Cold Water
You’ve probably heard this before and maybe even tried it once or twice, but if you haven’t made cold-water laundry a habit, it’s time to start. The fact is that cold water works just as well as hot water in removing dirt from clothes.
This can be especially useful when drying clothes on the line or in a dryer—you can save money by doing both of these things in one fell swoop. Plus, not only are you saving energy this way (which reduces emissions), but you’re also helping out your wallet and the environment!
| Tips | Details |
|---|---|
| Wash laundry in cold water | Up to 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes to heating water. By washing your clothes in cold water, you can save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. |
| Benefits | Reduces energy consumption, saves money on energy bills, and extends the life of your clothing. |
| Potential Savings | Up to $63 per year on energy bills. |
| Impact | If every household in the US switched to washing clothes in cold water, it could save as much energy as taking 4.6 million cars off the road for a year. |
Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
Using natural light in your home is a great way to save energy, especially if the room you’re working with is not used often. If you have a spare room that only gets used occasionally, then consider opening the curtains and turning on lamps to make it feel more inviting.
If you live in an apartment or condo that doesn’t get much natural light, consider adding skylights or a light tube through the roof so that some of those sunny rays can come streaming in!
Small changes can add up when it comes to saving energy and reducing your environmental impact. Our article on 10 Simple Tips to Cut Your Energy Bill in Half provides practical ideas for cutting back on energy use and lowering your monthly bills.
Set Electronics To Power-Saving Mode
The next time you’re ready to turn off your lights and go to bed, think about how much energy your electronics are using. Are your computer, phone and TV still on?
Turning off the power strip at night is a good first step. But there are many more things you can do to save energy:
- Set your computer to go into sleep mode when not in use. When it wakes up after being asleep for a while, it takes less time than usual to boot up again (and you’ll save money on electricity too).
- Set your phone or tablet so that it goes into sleep mode when not being used for more than a few minutes; this will help preserve battery life and reduce unnecessary charging cycles.
- Set the timer on your TV so that the screen shuts off after 30 minutes; this way you won’t waste electricity while watching shows late at night or early in the morning before work/school starts again!
Unplug Appliances And Devices When Not In Use
Unplugging your devices and appliances when they’re not in use is probably the easiest way to save energy. This can range from your TV to your phone charger, but the most common culprits are probably your television or lights.
It’s a good habit to get into because it helps you save money by keeping things switched off when they’re not needed, and it also has an impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions created by running appliances (and therefore reducing their carbon footprint).
There are even apps available for smartphones that will remind you to unplug after a certain amount of time has passed since you last used them.
Going green with your energy use can benefit both the environment and your wallet. Discover the benefits of energy-efficient living with our article on The Surprising Benefits of Going Green with Your Energy Use and start making positive changes in your home and community.
Conclusion
We all have busy lives, so it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily routines.
But if you want to save money on your utility bills and do something good for the planet at the same time it’s worth making some small changes.
By following these tips, you can cut down on your energy usage without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on saving energy at home:
GreenMatch: How to Save Energy at Home: This comprehensive guide covers a range of energy-saving tips and tricks, from simple behavioral changes to home improvements and appliance upgrades.
EnergySage: 101 Ways to Save Energy at Home: This list offers 101 ideas for reducing energy use in your home, organized by category and level of difficulty.
UNICEF: 9 Ways to Save Energy at Home: This article provides practical tips for saving energy and money at home, with a focus on families and children.
FAQs
How can I save energy at home without spending money?
There are many ways to save energy at home that don’t require any upfront costs, such as turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using natural light instead of artificial light, adjusting your thermostat, and air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer.
What are some energy-efficient home improvements I can make?
Some energy-efficient home improvements include sealing air leaks, adding insulation, upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors, and installing a programmable thermostat.
How can I reduce my energy use while cooking?
To reduce energy use while cooking, try using smaller appliances like a slow cooker or microwave instead of a large oven, use lids on pots and pans to retain heat, and avoid opening the oven or stovetop while cooking.
How can I save energy on water heating?
To save energy on water heating, turn down the temperature on your water heater, fix leaks in faucets and pipes, and consider upgrading to an energy-efficient water heater.
Are there any energy-saving habits I can develop to save money in the long run?
Yes, developing energy-saving habits like turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using a programmable thermostat, and air-drying clothes can all add up to significant savings over time.
I am Hellen, I’ve been passionate about sustainability for as long as I can remember. It’s something that my mom taught me from a young age, and it’s something that has shaped my life in so many ways.