How To Save Energy: Quick Tips

It’s in everyone’s best interests to conserve energy. Lowering your energy bill while saving the planet?

By making minor tweaks to your home and your habits, you can dramatically lower your energy usage and see big savings on your energy bill. Plus, the less energy you use, the fewer emissions you create. It’s really a win-win. 

Here are our expert energy-saving tips:

1. Turn off lights and appliances when they’re not in use.
   It’s as easy as flipping a switch. But you can go a step further and unplug the energy vampires—appliances or electronics that continue to draw power even when they’re not being used—for maximum savings. Standby coffee makers, phone chargers, and other unused electronics can account for up to 20% of your monthly electricity bill. Unplug what’s not in use, or use power strips, to prevent energy from going to waste. Smart power strips are a great option here because they’ll turn off automatically when they sense a device isn’t in use. Some of the most affordable ones run less than $20.

    

2. Replace traditional bulbs with LEDs.
   LED bulbs use over 75% less energy than traditional light bulbs. That means LEDs can save you an average of $300 per year. Need we say more?

    

3. Get a smart thermostat.
   Smart thermostats are great energy-savers for a few reasons. For starters, they provide in-depth insights into your usage, so you can identify where energy leaks might be occurring. Some sense when people leave the home and adjust the temperature accordingly—great news for those who have come home only to realize they left the heat blasting all day.

    

4. Reduce energy waste by upgrading old infrastructure and appliances in your home.
   Old places have their charm, but nothing is charming about hundreds of dollars going out the window—quite literally. Older windows are prone to gaps and drafts, which result in heating and cooling leaking from your home. Moreover, older appliances like fridges are generally less energy efficient than their modern counterparts. Upgrading might be expensive up front, but you’ll be saving in the long run.

    

5. Consider switching to green energy. 

Renewable energy is Earth-friendly and efficient. Why? Because renewable energy comes from non-exhaustible resources. Fossil fuels like coal and natural gas contribute to waste in their production, which leads to an excess of energy being depleted. The total efficiency of usable energy for coal is just 29% of its original energy value. But wind, on the other hand, has seen ratings of over 50% efficiency. And all that without the emissions.

6. Hang dry your laundry.
Dryers use a ton of energy. Depending on the model, dryers use around two to six kWh per load. You can save that energy by putting your clothes on a line to dry instead. If you’re in an apartment, check out a foldable laundry drying rack. They’re great for hanging up laundry in small spaces.