These days, it seems like everyone is on a tight budget. One of the best and easiest ways to reduce costs is to conserve energy. The simplest tasks will conserve energy and put money back in your pocket during these tough economic times.
Conserving energy in your home can be very beneficial. You’ll start saving money, reduce high monthly utility bills, and reduce the need for fossil fuels, all while preserving the environment for future generations.
You can instantly conserve energy and save money by making a few simple choices that will help you lower your monthly electric and fuel bills without sacrificing your comfort.
Here are some ways to help you conserve energy in your home:
Heating
Like the human body, a heating system needs proper maintenance. Therefore, a monthly check of the filters of your heating system should be carried out. Proper maintenance of your home’s heating system will reduce fuel consumption and save you money.
During the winter months, lower your home’s thermostat to a comfortable 68-70 degrees. When you go to sleep, turn the thermostat down 5-10 degrees. By doing so, you’re saving energy and also helping to improve your health and appearance, experts say.
cooling
During the hot summer months it’s best to keep your air conditioning running efficiently, you don’t want it running out of battery! For best results, check your air conditioner filters monthly and replace them when they become dirty.
Consider installing and setting an automatic timer for room temperature. In this way it will be higher during the hours that you are away from home and cooler before returning home.
Also, consider purchasing and installing ceiling fans throughout your home. This will help air circulate in your home and reduce the amount of time you use the air conditioner. Research has shown that ceiling fans use much less electricity than standard air conditioning.
Isolate
Many people often overlook the benefits of insulating walls, floors, and ceilings to reduce heat loss. By simply insulating your home, you will significantly save energy and lower your monthly heating and cooling costs.
This simple task can be accomplished by placing a plastic film covering over the windows, also known as weatherstripping and caulking. These sealants will help prevent cold drafts from entering your home through windows and doors in the cold winter months and reduce the escape of cold air during the hot summer months, thereby conserving energy used for heating and refrigeration.
Plus, when your windows have weather stripping, you won’t be putting too much work on your heating or cooling systems due to escaping air.
accessories
It is very important to unplug all electronic devices that you do not use in your home, especially in the kitchen. Several small unplugged kitchen appliances can quickly add up to the same amount of energy used as a running refrigerator. Some items, like the DVD player and microwave, continue to use power even when they are “off.” These are also known as ghost devices. Any appliance that generates heat, sound, time, or light while turned off is a ghost appliance!
Also consider replacing your old appliances with new energy efficient ones. Other small tasks, such as washing a large load of laundry in cold water, instead of warm or hot water, can also be a smart way to use appliances to save electricity.
Light bulbs
Something as small as changing the light bulbs in your home can conserve energy and save you money. Research has shown that Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use approximately 75% less energy.
Those same studies conducted in 2010 showed that fluorescent light bulbs can save homeowners more than $40 in electricity costs over the life of the bulb. Compact fluorescent lamps, as they are known, can reduce cooling costs in your home, as they tend to produce 75% less heat than standard incandescent bulbs.