Improving your energy efficiency at home can save you money and help lower your impact on the environment. Many ways of reducing wasted energy are simple, inexpensive and even fun.
Fire Up the Grill
If anyone ever actually needs another reason to fire up the grill, here you go. One of my favorite ways to save energy is by cooking outside on warm days.
Using the stove or oven can raise the heat inside your home, making your AC need to work harder to keep you cool.
Grilling your food can be healthier for you too. When using a grill, the excess fats drip off, vegetables and meats retain more of their nutrients and you get the added bonus of enjoying the fresh air.
The benefits of hanging your clothes to dry rather than using a clothes dryer are numerous.
- Saves more energy than even the most energy efficient clothes dryer.
- It is a good form of exercise.
- Extends the life of your clothes.
- Air drying eliminates static cling.
- Does not require any chemicals.
- Saves you money on your energy bill.
- Sunlight naturally brightens white fabrics.
- Air drying outside gives your clothes a naturally fresh scent.
Line drying is also a very flexible option for your laundry routine. It can be done inside or outside depending on the weather, available space, and personal preference. It can also alleviate the need to remove clothes from the dryer immediately to reduce wrinkles.
Smart and programmable thermostats allow you to create a schedule for heating and cooling your home or business.
According to Department of Energy, you save an estimated 10% on your energy bill annually by using a programmable thermostat.
Many energy companies offer rebates to help with the initial purchase cost. Check with your local energy provider first for rebate information before shopping to be sure that you will be eligible for the added savings.
Inspect Your Windows
Seals around windows can go bad over time. Air leaks from worn out seals can cause your furnace and air conditioner to work harder and longer to maintain your desired home temperature.
Air leaks can also negatively impact your home's indoor air quality, contribute to moisture and mildew problems, and some can even allow an opening for tiny pests such as ants to enter your home.
Adding or replacing a seal around your windows not only increases your home's energy efficiency and save you money on your utility bill, but it can extend the life of your windows too.
When replacing light bulbs, opt for LED energy efficient bulbs.
While the initial price tag for these bulbs are usually a bit more than traditional incandescent light bulbs, they use up to 90% less energy which saves you money on your power bill and last much longer.
The lifespan of an LED bulbs is considerably longer too. Many LEDs can last for up to 50,000 hours. The typical incandescent bulb only lasts between 750-2,000 hours. That means that a single LED bulb can replace at least 25 typical incandescent bulbs!
Smart Power Strips
There is a wide variety of smart plugs on the market. One of the main things that they all have in common is that they let you monitor and control the energy use for devices plugged into them.
Do you want a lamp that turns on and off on a specific schedule? They can do that.
Are you looking to avoid wasting energy on idle electronics? You can control that with a smart plug too. No more energy sucking vampire electronics for you!
Bring Sunlight In
During the day, turn off the lights and open the curtains. Save energy and enjoy the advantages of allowing natural sunlight to brighten your home.
Aside from saving you money by using less energy, natural sunlight has also been shown to improve mood by boosting vitamin D and lowering blood pressure.
It can help your balance your body's natural circadian rhythm helping to improve your sleep quality. Natural light can also help improve focus and even boost productivity.
What ways do you save energy at home? Leave a comment or suggestion below. We love to hear from you!