Energy conservation is important and beneficial for multiple reasons as you can save money, increase your property value, and protect the environment all through simple energy-saving measures. By putting in a little effort towards living a more energy-conscious lifestyle, you can begin to enjoy all of the benefits of being energy efficient. Best of all, you can start reducing that electricity bill!
1. Adjust your day-to-day behaviors
Look to start with small steps. Energy conservation can be as simple as turning off lights or appliances when you do not need them. You can also use less energy-intensive alternatives by performing household tasks manually. Do things like hang-drying your clothes instead of putting them in the dryer, or washing the dishes by hand. The behavior adjustments that have yielded the highest potential for electricity bill savings are turning down the heat on your thermostat in the winter and using your air conditioner less in the summer. Heating and cooling costs constitute nearly half of the average home’s utility bills. These reductions in the frequency of heating and cooling result in the greatest savings and can also help you be more active during quarantine.
2. Replace your light bulbs
Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume an excessive amount of electricity. They also must be replaced more often than their energy efficient alternatives. Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80 percent less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Energy efficient bulbs are more expensive off the shelf, but their efficient energy use and longer lifetimes mean that they cost less in the long run. Your electricity bill will thank you!
3. Utilise smart power strips
You may think that when your appliances are not in use or turned off that no energy is being wasted. But in reality, this is one of the major sources of energy waste. “Phantom loads,” or the electricity used by electronics when they are turned off or in standby mode are estimated to waste around 75% of your household electricity. This can cost you up to $200 per year! Smart power strips, also known as advanced power strips, eliminate the problem of phantom loads by shutting off the power to electronics when they are not in use. Smart power strips can be set to turn off at an assigned time, during a period of inactivity, through remote switches, or based on the status of a “master” device. Once you start to see the difference with smart power strips, you’ll be mad you hadn’t got them earlier.
4. Purchase energy efficient appliances
Appliances are responsible for approximately 13% of the total household energy use. When purchasing an appliance, you should pay attention to the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Although energy efficient appliances might have higher upfront purchase prices, their operating costs are often 9-25% lower than conventional models. In the long run, that means your electricity bill savings will make up for the initial costs.
5. Reduce your water heating expenses
Water heating is a major contributor to total household energy consumption. Other than purchasing an energy efficient water heater, there are three ways of reducing your water heating expenses. You can simply use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, or insulate your water heater and water pipes.
If you are considering replacing your water heater with an efficient model, you should keep two factors in mind: The type of water heater that meets your needs and the type of fuel it will use. For example, tankless water heaters are energy efficient, but they are also a poor choice for large families as they cannot handle multiple and simultaneous uses of hot water. Efficient water heaters can be anywhere between 8% and 300% more energy efficient than a conventional storage water heater.
There you have it! 5 great ways to really take control of your electricity bill. If you liked these tips, be sure to check out our blog to see what other areas you can improve.