There are ways to reduce energy consumption in our homes which can save us money, enhance our energy security, and reduce pollution emitted from non-renewable energy sources. If you plan to install a renewable energy system to generate your own power, such as solar power system or a small wind turbine, you can buy a smaller and cheaper system to reduce the power load.
When considering how our actions affect the planet and the poverty of people, our use of energy deserves thoughtful consideration. We are reminded of the devastation caused by fossil fuel mining, especially coal mining and inefficient power plants, combined with human health problems in polluted cities, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. We are increasingly aware that all forms of life, including humans, are threatened by our human desire to harness more energy from mining around the world.
12 EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
Spending more time at home whether or not you’re teleworking, homeschooling, or both can create worries about finding the balance between keeping energy charges down and using the amount of energy needed to preserve your home.
You can reduce energy use and utility bills in many ways, while being more environmentally friendly. Here are seven tips to help you reduce energy use at home:
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Replace the bulb:
Although most people have switched from old-fashioned and energy-consuming filament bulbs to CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) or LED bulbs. Turning off the light when not in use can also extend the life of the bulb and save bulb replacement costs and power consumption.
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Dry your clothes outdoors and in sunlight:
Instead of using a clothes dryer (which takes a lot of energy), hang the laundry on a line outside, or if it is cool and damp, use a line indoors and let it dry overnight.
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Only do enough laundry:
Both the clothes washing machine and the dishwasher need to be fully filled to optimize the use of water and energy. If you lightly rinse the dishes or wipe them (of course in the compost box) before putting them in the dishwasher, you do not need to wash them immediately.
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Then comes the sun:
On sunny days, open your curtains to allow the solar to naturally toast the apartments of your home besides using electricity. Natural daylight can also elevate your temper to help cheer your day. On heat days, close your curtains to help maintain your house cool.
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Turn off the tap:
Keep the faucet off while handwashing dishes, washing your arms and brushing your teeth. Letting the water run all through these simple activities can waste numerous gallons of water, which raises your water heating and water-use costs. Turning the faucet off can shop up to 6 gallons a day for handwashing, and up to 200 gallons a month when brushing your teeth.
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Put it away:
Schedule time into your activities to damage away from digital devices. Whether you take a walk, read, work on your DIY list, or meditate, unplugging is a magnificent no-cost way to restore your personal power reserves while saving on energy costs.
7. Use ceiling fans
This is an excellent way to reduce energy costs in all seasons. Set your fans to spin clockwise in the wintry weather to circulate the warm air and you can flip your thermostat to a lower setting. Using ceiling fans can save up to 10 percent on your heating bills.
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Clean your furnace filter regularly:
Replace your furnace filter on a regular basis. When your furnace’s filter becomes dirty and clogged, the furnace becomes less efficient, which means it consumes more energy. Check your filter regularly during the months when you’re heating the house to avoid this. The filter should be vacuumed or washed as needed, or every three months.
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Bundle up:
Wear several layers of clothing. Warm up your bed with a hot water bottle instead of an electric blanket; it’s less expensive.
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Reduce the amount of hot water you use:
Water heating is a major phase of your complete energy consumption and cost. You can take quick showers as a substitute for baths, water timers, and you can use a water lowering bathe head. You should decrease the thermostat on your water heater. Insulating your water heater with a water heater blanket and wrapping your pipes will hold the water hotter longer and store your money.
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Use ACs with Smart Time Switches.
Air conditioning can act as a heavy load on energy consumption. Smart switches are electrical switches with a built-in timer, turning off and on an electronic circuit. Smart switches can be programmed to enable the cooling for a certain period and cutting off the electric supply till the next cycle of cooling. This way you will be in a position to preserve power in particular throughout the night hours.
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Install Window Tinting Film
Installing window tinting film is a tremendous DIY task that will reduce heating and cooling costs. It is very easy to install. According to Best Consumer Reviews, this technique can reduce the quantity of electrical energy you use with the aid of as a great deal as 50 percent. Window film additionally reduces glare and makes it easier to see computer screens.
Moving Forward
Most of the items on our energy tune-up are free or paid for. Some things are no-brainers like turning lights off, unplugging unused electrical appliances, running a full dishwasher load, and washing clothes in cold water.
In other to reduce the overall energy efficiency of your home, many utilities are introducing applications that encourage their customers to use electricity for the length of off-peak hours. The applications bypass by way on the financial savings to you, the customer, via rebates or decreased electrical energy rates.
Smart meters and home strength administration systems permit clients to program how and when their home makes use of energy. If you are in a position to shift your power use to off-peak times — such as walking your dishwasher late in the night — these packages can save you money.