The economy and the natural environment both have significant negative impacts on how households use energy. From conservation to cutting costs, it’s more important than ever before to curb energy usage and improve efficiency in your household. The advice below can help you reduce your environmental impact while also saving you money!
1. Use Your Kitchen Appliances Wisely
By employing smart appliance usage in the kitchen, you can save over $60 per year on energy costs! You can further reduce energy waste in the kitchen by employing some or all of the tips below:
*Don’t use running tap water to wash dishes, but rather, use a bucket or basin.
*Only use the amount of water you need to fill your tea kettle.
*Run your washing machine only once per week to conserve water.
You can further cut costs by turning off your oven before your food is completely cooked, or using a kettle instead of pots and pans to boil water.
2. Fully Turn Off Appliances
Did you know that your appliances still use electricity on standby mode? In fact, you can save over $40 per year by simply turning off appliances at the plug when not in immediate use. Make sure to read the manual that comes with your appliances to ensure that this is the case with your make and model. You can also purchase a standby saver that allows you to directly switch off appliances with ease.
Don’t leave your tablets, smartphones, and other tech gadgets plugged in to charge when not in use. This not only helps reduce energy waste, but you can prolong the lifespan of your device’s battery.
3. Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
If it’s time to replace your washer, dryer or fridge, make sure you purchase an appliance with a high energy efficiency rating. Modern laws and regulations make it necessary for brands to adequately highlight the level of energy efficiency that their products have. For example, an appliance in the UK with a rating of A+++ is the best you can buy with the lowest energy usage.
Most homeowners are shocked that making the simple switch to energy efficient appliances can save them up to $300 per year on electricity!
4. Turn Down The Thermostat
Save over $100 per year by turning down your thermostat just one degree! Choose a smart thermostat that allows you to program your HVAC system to work around your household’s schedule. This enables you to reduce operational costs, but to also ensure that your home is properly heated when you wake up.
Another great aspect of employing a smart thermostat is being able to remotely control the HVAC system using a smart device. This is a very handy function for those that aren’t home often and require remote operation. Make sure you also have an energy efficient furnace and have it regularly serviced to ensure operational cost reduction.
5. Use Water Conserving Showerheads
Save even more money by choosing a showerhead that conserves hot water usage. Changing how you use your hot water and how much can save you well over $100 per year for a household of four persons. Don’t forget that an energy efficient water heater can also further improve efficiency!
6. Take Short Showers
Spending less time in the shower coupled with a modern showerhead can help you reduce your utility costs. Many low-flow models help make showers efficient without emptying the water heater. It’s crucial to really invest in a quality showerhead, therefore, splurging on a better model can make a difference. Did you also know that using a timer in the shower can help you get done faster? A kitchen timer can help ensure that you run well on a tight schedule. Those in the UK with a water meter can especially further reduce costs by nearly $20 per year.
7. Go With An Efficient Water Heater
If your water heater is ten years old or older, it’s time to get a new one! Modern units are more energy efficient than their older counterparts and can help you run a more efficient household. As modern units have a bigger heat exchanger, they are condensing types. This translates to making much better use of the water that’s being stored in the tank. This can help you eliminate wasting water and of course, conservation can also allow you to significantly improve the money you spend on utilities every month. Make sure to invest in Corgi Boiler Cover.
With the economy progressively getting worse, households must do what they can in order to reduce energy waste and spending on utility bills. Though all power companies have a set rate they charge for their services, you can still save some money by practicing due diligence where it counts the most. From shorter showers to more energy efficient appliances, you can still enjoy the creature comfort of home without sacrificing on a quality way of life.