Saving money on energy starts with reducing consumption. From using ceiling fans to limiting cooling usage to hanging laundry, there are many painless ways to reduce energy bills.
Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs that use up to 75% less energy. They also last about 10 times longer than regular bulbs.
1. Turn down the thermostat
The biggest energy consumer in the home is your heating and cooling system, making it a good place to look for savings. Lowering your thermostat even just a few degrees (but not so low that you’re shivering uncontrollably) can save you up to 15% on your energy bill.
You may have heard that it’s not a great idea to lower your temperature overnight or when you’re away from home, because it makes the system work harder to catch up to the desired level again. But that’s not the whole story.
The Department of Energy recommends lowering the thermostat about 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day to achieve savings of up to 10% on your energy bills. You can do this while still being comfortable, especially if you set a programmable thermostat or leave yourself a note to turn down the heat before leaving the house.
Another benefit of lowering the thermostat is that it helps your body get used to cooler temperatures, which can help you fall asleep more quickly and have a better night’s sleep. It’s best to make these changes gradually, however, so your body can adjust to the new settings without feeling too uncomfortable. It also gives your utility company time to prepare for the higher load, which can help keep rates down as well.
2. Turn off lights when not in use
Turning off lights is a simple way to save energy, which helps reduce your electricity bill and carbon footprint. It also extends the life of your light bulbs.
The amount of energy saved by turning off lights varies by wattage and type of bulb. The least efficient are incandescent lights, which give off 90 percent of their energy as heat and only 10 percent as light. They should always be turned off when not in use. Modern compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs use far less energy, but should also be turned off when not in use.
To determine the value of energy savings from your lights, find out what your electric rate is per kilowatt hour and multiply it by the number of hours the bulbs are left on. For example, a 100 watt bulb left on for an hour will consume about 13 cents worth of energy.
Other energy-saving tips include putting lights on timers and installing sensors. It is also a good idea to switch out older bulbs for more efficient ones. If you have old incandescents in the kitchen, for instance, replace them with LED or CFLs. Today’s appliances and electronics use a fraction of the power they did 50 years ago, so switching to more efficient options is one of the easiest ways to save money on your electric bills.
3. Unplug devices
Many people are unaware that plugged-in electronics use a lot of energy in the background, even when they are turned off. This is a type of power consumption called “phantom energy” and it can add up to a big chunk of your electricity bill each month.
A large part of a household’s phantom energy consumption comes from appliances like televisions, media players (like the XBOX and Playstation), kitchen appliances and chargers. Many of these devices consume power from their LED screens and by constantly connecting to the internet for updates and checks. Unplugging these devices is a simple way to reduce your home’s phantom energy usage.
Besides saving money on your electricity bills, another benefit of unplugging devices is that it can also protect you against power surges. Unless you have a whole-house system or surge protectors scattered throughout your house, small surges can damage appliances that are plugged into the same circuit, shortening their lifespans.
To get an idea of how much energy your electronics use in standby mode, you can purchase a device that monitors electricity usage. This can help you find items that are wasting electricity in your home and save you money each year. Some estimates say that homeowners could save upwards of $100 per year if they unplugged all the electronics that are consuming energy in the background.
4. Replace old appliances
Appliances are a major energy drain, particularly older models that aren’t as efficient. If your refrigerator is over half empty or if your air conditioner is a decade old, replacing them with newer, more energy-efficient appliances can save you money on electricity bills.
However, it’s important to consider the hidden costs of upgrading to a new appliance. For example, a new refrigerator may not fit in the old space, or you might have to spend thousands bringing a gas line into your house or hundreds rerouting electrical lines.
If you can afford to do it, opt for ENERGY STAR appliances when replacing old appliances. They greatly exceed minimum federal standards for energy efficiency and can save you hundreds of dollars a year on electricity bills.
Remember that you don’t need to replace all your appliances at once – focus on the worst offenders first. And if you do decide to get rid of your old appliances, be sure to recycle them. Many retailers offer appliance recycling programs, and some junk haulers also accept them. Be sure to check out the EPA’s resource on responsible appliance disposal to find a location near you.