We all like to save on day-to-day costs and one of the best ways to save money is to reduce the energy costs in your home. Here we provide 7 ways you can save energy in your home – it’s simple and effective and you’ll be happy you’ve implemented these changes when your bills come down.
1. Use energy efficient light bulbs
This is an easy way to make a change in your home. Replace traditional bulbs with halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) which use less electricity and last three to 25 times longer. They may be more expensive than traditional bulbs but in the long run, they will save you more.
2. Invest in energy efficient appliances
Most appliances have energy ratings on them. Be sure to check these out before purchasing, the better the rating the more you’ll save. The initial investment may be quite high, as with the lightbulbs mentioned above, but in the long term, you will be saving.
A quick tip! Don’t forget to fill the kettle up with only as much water as you need. This little change for a well-used item in the kitchen can save money. Also, be sure to descale the kettle regularly and pay attention to the minimum amount of water your kettle can hold. That will guide you to how much water you can boil at once.
3. Switch off!
When you’re not using appliances make a note to switch them off completely, not just at the off-switch on the appliance or remote, but at the power point. This small change will save you in the long run.
4. Pay attention to your laundry
You can save a substantial amount of energy by washing on a cold cycle. Make sure to use the shortest cycle possible and only start a cycle when your machine is full. Weather permitting, try to dry clothes naturally as using a clothes dryer uses up a lot of energy.
5. Go solar
Another excellent way to save energy is to use solar power. Solar power is produced when solar energy (heat and light from the sun) is converted into electricity. This has environmental benefits and gives you independence from the grid, making you more self-sufficient. The initial investment may be high but you will save money in the longer term.
6. Find the right water heating method
Have you considered installing a tankless water heater? These are also called “on demand” or instant water heaters and heat the water only when you turn on the faucet.
According to Energy.gov, “for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy-efficient than conventional storage-tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water — around 86 gallons per day”. That works out to a lot of savings per year!
Tankless water heaters are generally more energy-efficient than units that have storage tanks because they don’t produce standby energy losses. One disadvantage though is the output –in large households where simultaneous, multiple uses are the norm, a tankless heater may struggle to keep up with the demand. In this case, it’s worth installing more than one heater.
If you don’t have the budget to invest in a tankless water heater, you may want to check out sites like https://waterheaterreviewssite.com/bradford-white-water-heater-reviews/ to help you make a decision on what water heater you could buy. Keeping in mind your household needs will aid you in purchasing one that suits your specific requirements and will save you from wasting energy by buying a unit too large for your needs.
7. Keep your fridge in check
Make sure that no cold air escapes from your fridge – this is by far your most energy-guzzling appliance but needs to run all day. Ensure seals close tightly and that there are no gaps or cracks especially as the fridge gets older.
We hope these energy saving tips help you and you can check this power efficiency guide review to discover the exact steps needed to build your own energy source, these simple steps can make a big difference to your overall energy consumption and costs every month.
