Are you tired of high energy bills? You don’t have to break the bank to lower your energy costs. There are plenty of simple, inexpensive ways to reduce your energy consumption at home. Check out these seven tips to save energy at home without spending a fortune.
The Easiest Way to Save Energy at Home: Switch to LED Lights
LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, which can help you save a lot in the long run—LEDs also last much longer, as much as 25 times longer in some cases. Most LED bulbs are comparable in price to incandescent bulbs, but you get much more bang for your buck out of the LEDs.
Save Energy at Home by Turning Down the Heat
Many people keep their thermostats cranked up during winter to stay warm. You can still feel comfortable and save money at the same time by keeping your thermostat set between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Every degree you lower will shave dollars off your energy bill, so it’s worth putting on socks and a sweater while keeping the thermostat set low.
Unplug Devices and Appliances
It’s easy to forget that even when electronic devices are turned off, they still use energy if plugged in. Unplug your electronics, like TVs and gaming consoles, and appliances, like microwaves and coffee makers, when you’re not using them. This won’t cost you anything, and savings will stack up over time.
Use Natural Lighting Where You Can
Open up the blinds and let natural light in during the day to help cut down on energy used for lighting. During sunny winter days, you can let the sunlight help heat your house to lessen the burden on your HVAC system. Natural light is also great for your mental health, so you can use this tip to save money while improving your overall well-being.
Install Smart Power Strips to Save Energy at Home
Smart power strips are an inexpensive way to save energy. They come with special features designed to automatically reduce the amount of electricity going to any device or appliance plugged into them when those devices and appliances are not in use. Some even allow you to manage devices remotely through an app to turn them off even when you’re not home.
Do Your Laundry the Smart Way
If you’re like most people, doing laundry is a weekly chore. To save on energy costs, you should always do full loads when running the washing machine and dryer. Use cold water settings and air-dry clothes on a rack or line to reduce energy consumption even more.
Keep Your Refrigerator in Tip-Top Shape
You can reduce your fridge’s energy consumption by cleaning its coils every few months and keeping the door closed as much as possible. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your fridge is set at the right temperature, usually around 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check it with an inexpensive refrigerator thermometer, but most modern fridges have one built in.
Saving energy at home doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming; these seven tips are easy to implement and shouldn’t cost you a lot of money. Try them out and watch your energy bills go down.
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