Often homeowners are concerned about their high electricity bills. Are you also searching for ways to save some extra money by clever usage of electricity? If yes, you have arrived at the right place. No need to scroll down further because, in this article, we will focus on the TOP ENERGY-SAVING HACKS FOR HOME-OWNERS.
The latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has revealed that the average electricity bill in the U.S. is $ 117.65 per month. That’s a huge figure, particularly for a middle-income group. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average American household spends nearly $ 2,200 annually on home utility bills, including gas, water, and electricity bills. (Mueller, 2020)
A simple way to lower these statistics is to make effective and intelligent use of electricity.
Let’s check out the top energy-saving hacks you’re eagerly waiting for!
TOP ENERGY-SAVING HACKS
There are several ways to reduce energy consumption at home. Below are some simple and useful energy-saving hacks for you.
Use Energy-Efficient Lights
By using energy-efficient bulbs, you can illuminate your room for less energy than traditional bulbs. Surprisingly, you can save approximately 225 USD annually by using LED light bulbs. (Mueller, 2020)
Another useful option is Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs that consume 75% less electrical power. (Hindy, n.d.) However, LED bulbs are still a superior choice because a 16.5-watt LED bulb can provide the same lighting as that of a 75-watt incandescent or 20-watt CFL bulb. (Green America, n.d.) Means it offers great value to the user by providing more efficiency through the use of less energy.
When purchasing a light bulb, make sure to check for the information provided on its packaging, including the bulb type and its power, which is expressed in Watts (W).
Unplug Your Devices
I’m sure that you’d be aware of the importance of this tip. Right? Leaving needless appliances on standby can greatly contribute to an elevated electric bill. Once you have charged your phone, used the toaster or any other electrical appliance, switch off the plug and take out the extension or charger from the socket to avoid unnecessary usage and wastage of electricity.
Turn Off Extra Lights or Appliances
This tip is not only an energy-saving hack but also a basic habit to switch off lights, appliances, or switches that are not being used at the moment. Most households often neglect this part. Turning off unnecessary fans and lights when leaving the room can contribute to a significant positive change in your electric bills. Automatic lights (that switch off automatically when not in use) are designed to fulfil the same purpose.
Solar Power Devices Can Work
Solar power had always been of great interest because of its multiple benefits. It’s not only cost-effective but an ideal option to avoid environmental pollution. It doesn’t emit any greenhouse gasses. What’s more? It not even requires any resources, such as fossil fuels or oil to generate energy. A mix of solar and electrical energy is not only sustainable and budget-friendly but will also help you cut down your energy costs.
Lower the Temperature of Thermostat
There’s no need to set your thermostat to very high temperatures. In fact, the lower the temperature of your thermostat, the more energy you can save. Typically, the temperature range of 18 to 21°C is enough for a thermostat to maintain a suitably warm temperature. Using this hack, you can effectively shrink your electric bill.
Opt for a Smart Meter
It’s better to choose a smart meter rather than a manual one because of its additional features and efficiency. A smart meter is an intelligent device that quickly learns how much heat you need at different parts of the day; hence, it automatically alters the amount of heat it provides, according to your needs. It can also be linked with a mobile app; hence, you can control the on/off system of the thermostat, even when you’re not at home. This helps avoid power wastage. Moreover, it helps provide complete info about how much energy you’re consuming, thus you can take quick steps to avoid any energy wastage in the future.
Make Proper Use of Your Ceiling Fan
Most of us are unaware of the appropriate use of ceiling fans. During summers, operating the fan in an anti-clockwise direction will help spread cooler air throughout the room, eliminating the need for an air conditioner. During the summer, the clockwise rotation of ceiling fans can help draw heat into the room, eliminating the need for a heater. Thus, you can save a considerable amount of electricity.
Try Insulation
Insulation is always recommended to avoid energy wastage. Surprisingly, you can save about one-third of the money spent on heating your home by the use of insulation since a considerable amount of energy is lost via the walls. The effective use of cavity wall insulation can reduce your heat loss by about 33%, ultimately cutting down your electric bills to approx. £255 (342.31 USD) annually. (eDF, n.d.)
Mostly, the houses constructed after 1990 already have cavity wall insulation, however, if your house was built before 1990, you might need to have this done with the help of a professional.
Seal Ductwork
Your home ductwork is also a factor contributing to heat loss. The joints in the ductwork, that are often neglected are the areas from where hot air can run off and affect the amount of heat required in one area or another. Wrapping heat-vent tape around the joints can help you avoid unnecessary heat loss.
Motion Sensors, The Cleverest Choice
Why is this the cleverest hack? It’s because these are specialized, automated devices, particularly designed to save energy. They are responsible for turning off the lights, ceiling fans, and other electrical equipment when they are not in use. In the case of a manual system, you often forget to turn off the switches when leaving a room, which leads to unnecessary energy use. Motion sensors can help you her,e and you’ll soon see a noticeable reduction in your energy bill.
Take Care While Washing Clothes
Your washing machine uses 90% of its energy just to warm the water. (American Cleaning Institute, n.d.) Meaning, by washing clothes at low temperatures or in cold water, you can save enough energy wastage. Besides, when you insert too much or too few clothes in the dryer, it takes more time to dry them, thus consuming a significant amount of electricity. Hence, adding an appropriate number of clothes to the dryer is crucial.
If your dryer has a cool-down cycle, using it can help your dryer dry the clothes by utilizing the heat retained in it. Still, air-drying clothes is the best option for homeowners who can help you save energy, typically used by your dryer.
Close Your Freezer Tightly
This point is one of the most neglected ones. Most of us do close the door of our freezers but forget to press it tightly. What’s even adverse is that we often keep the refrigerators open too long, either to decide what to eat or just to enjoy the breeze. This quickly draws the cool air out of the refrigerator, ultimately causing energy wastage.
A building-science consultant from Boston, Michael Blasnik, suggests that you can save dollars’ worth of power annually, just by closing the refrigerator door quickly (as is evident through his research). (Breckenridge, 2012)
It’s also essential to place your refrigerator in a cool place with sufficient distance from heat-generating equipment. A cool environment will put on less pressure on the compressor. Consequently, it will effectively keep your refrigerator cool without excessive energy usage.
Keep An Eye on The Chargers
Often, most of us forget to remove our chargers from the socket once our devices are charged. But do you know that plugged-in chargers can use electricity even when no device is attached? Moreover, it’s essential to avoid overcharging your devices as it also contributes to energy loss.
Energy Audit Is a Must
Once you’re done with all the above hacks, it’s time for an energy audit. Contact a professional to determine whether everything’s fine or if something still demands improvement. Once, you’re aware of the flaws, an immediate step for improvement can help you save a good portion of the money spent on home energy bills.
FINAL THOUGHTS
None of us likes to spend hundreds of dollars on our electricity bills. In fact, we try our best to save as much energy as possible. However, due to several mistakes and habits, we unintentionally lose a considerable amount of our electricity.
By taking little care and selecting the right home appliances, we can save money on energy bills.
The above-discussed energy-saving hacks can surely assist you in this purpose.
