8 Easy Hacks for Lowering Energy Costs at Home
Lowering the energy cost in your home is not only good for the environment, but it also saves you money on bills.
In this article, we will give you energy-saving hacks that you can use throughout your home to shave off those energy bills.
Adjust Thermostat
A simple task of adjusting your thermostat can make all the difference in the energy-saving world.
- You can change your old thermostat to a smart, energy-efficient one.
- Use small space heaters to heat smaller areas in the home.
- Leave the thermostat lower than usual when asleep or out of the house.
- Changing your air filters is another important part of saving energy when using your HVAC system. If air filters are dirty, the thermostat will work twice as hard to either heat or cool the place.
- Place your thermostat in a high-traffic area inside the house, and keep it away from extreme temperature changes, such as under a window or close to a door. You can move it if it is in an area that makes it hard to read the temperature.
- Set it to a low setting that still accommodates the heat/cooling preference of the people in the house.
Get an Energy Audit
Before you can make changes, getting an energy audit like the ones carried out by businesses will help you understand how much energy your household uses and where the large amounts of usage are coming from. You can contact your energy supplier for an energy audit of your house.
Turn Off and Unplug Unused Appliances
Turning off the appliance sometimes pulls an energy current when the plug is still in the wall socket and switched on. The best way to save energy when not using appliances is to remove the connection from the wall and switch the socket off, known as Phantom Energy.
Here are some extra hacks you can use when it comes to appliances to help save on energy usage.
- Wash clothing in cold water to reduce the electricity needed to heat water.
- Only use washing machines and dishwashers when there is a large load.
- Keep the oven door closed until food has been prepared. Opening the door allows cold air to enter, and extra electricity is needed to reheat the oven.
- Invest in small appliances; larger ones require more energy usage.
Use Natural Heating
Natural heating can reduce the need to turn up the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and cooling systems. The following steps can help you incorporate natural heating into your home.
- Use the sun as a natural heating system. Simply open your blinds and curtains and allow the rays to shine through and heat the area.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed at night to ensure the heat is insulated.
- You can switch to thermally insulated curtains to keep warm air from escaping through the windows during winter.
- To prevent drafts, ceiling fans can be rotated clockwise to redistribute heat at low speeds. This will eliminate cool air from the room, and warmer air will remain moving throughout the room.
Switch to LED Lighting
Installing LED lighting systems instead of traditional light bulbs will save more money as LED lighting systems are energy-efficient. You can save more on electricity by investing in smart bulbs where the light usage can be scheduled and brightness easily adjusted.
Remember to turn off lights when not in the room to avoid using energy when no one is around.
Insulate Home
Insulating your home is another step in saving energy usage. Even though your doors and windows are closed, there can still be heat loss if you have leaks. You can retain the heat energy instead of the home by sealing any leaks.
These steps can be used to prevent air from escaping your home.
- Invest in a visual air leak inspection. You can look for any cracks or gaps in the windows by shining a light through the window and door frames.
- Get a professional to do a full inspection of your home’s insulation.
- If there are drafts in the home, consider weatherstripping windows and doors, and if you have already, replace the old weatherstripping to avoid air leaks.
- Insulate the pipes to lessen the loss of heat. This will also prevent pipes from bursting and will heat water much quicker.
- Use carpets/rugs on tiles to help insulate rooms, especially in winter.
Monitor Energy Usage
Monitoring your energy usage for electronics and appliances is important to know how much energy you are using. The following tips can help you keep the usage at a minimum while still enjoying your time indoors.
- Switch appliances to low settings or power-saving mode. This will reduce their energy consumption when in use.
- Invest in surge or smart plugs to ensure that energy usage is kept at a minimum.
Use Energy During Off-Peak Times
During certain times of the day, energy is used more than others. Off-peak times refer to when energy usage is at its lowest, meaning it is cheaper to use energy at this time. Take advantage of off-peak times to use big appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers.
Conclusion
These above-mentioned hacks are easy to incorporate into your home. However, suppose you are looking for business energy providers. In that case, these corporate energy providers in the UK will provide you with great deals on saving energy costs at your workplace, too!
Sources
https://justenergy.com/blog/8-energy-hacks-that-will-save-you-money/
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