5 Ways to Reduce Home Energy Use

Medium Buzz7 June 20212 Mins read112 Views

The average U.S. household spends more than $100 per month on their electricity bill. Yours might be that high — or even higher — which has prompted you to search for ways to increase your abode’s energy efficiency.

How to Reduce Home Energy Use

Start here. These are five easy ways to reduce your home energy use:

1. Stop With Standby

If you leave your computer or TV on standby between uses, it could cost you more than $50 per year. Even though they’re not technically on, these electronics will still use a small amount of energy to keep themselves ready for you to turn them back on.

So, switch off your devices when they’re out of use. Try plugging all of your electronics into a power strip, then turning that off when you’re done with the plugged-in products. Voila — energy saved.

2. Swap Out Your Lightbulbs

Next up, consider swapping out any old incandescent lightbulbs for the eco-friendly alternative. You have a few choices when it comes to energy-efficient bulbs, too: halogen incandescent, LED or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) will all do the trick.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll get a much more efficient and cost-effective option. They use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. And you get your money’s worth, in terms of longevity: they last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, too.

3. Try a Smart Thermostat

Your home’s air-conditioning and heating could be using unnecessary amounts of energy. So, try installing a smart thermostat to adjust the temperature only when you need it.

In most cases, the smart thermostat will reduce heating and cooling while you sleep, and it can completely shut down the system while you’re away. There’s no need to keep your home at the perfect temperature while you’re at work or out of town, of course.

You may have a few more questions to ask about the smart thermostat. Mainly, you want to know how much you can save with one. On average, such a system will reduce your energy costs by about $180 per year.

4. Shorten Your Showers

You have to pay for the water you use, and you have to pay to heat it up. So, a shorter shower will help save you money, too.

To amplify the money-saving effects of your shorter showers, consider installing a low-flow showerhead. It will work just as well as your current fixture, but it uses less water, which further saves you on utility bills.

5. Inspect Your Windows

Old windows can be a huge problem when you try to heat and cool your home. Hot and cool air will escape right through old, draughty panes in winter and summer, respectively. In turn, you’ll pay up to 25 percent more on your bills if you try and combat the draught.

Now, it can be pricy to install new windows, but it will make a huge difference in extreme weather. You could save hundreds each year after installing thicker, draught-free panes.