Last Updated on October 7, 2022 by Mary Pressler
8 Quick Ways to Save Energy and Reduce Your Electric Bill
Most homeowners want to know how to use less electricity at home . Energy conservation and improving your carbon footprint have become goals as people become more aware of how they can positively impact the planet, and it all begins at home.
As ready as you are to conserve energy, you might not be sure of what is needed to make it happen. Here’s a few tips to help you reduce your energy usage and save money on your electric bill.
1. Replace Old Appliances With Energy-Efficient Options
There are two frames of thought here. You can replace any existing appliances immediately with energy-efficient devices or wait until the ones you have die and then buy the latest, most economical models. If you choose to replace what you have while they’re still working, you’re responsible for covering those costs. Alternatively, if you wait until after they die and you have one of the best home warranties available, you can likely have the cost covered by the warranty.
2. Choose LED Light Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs use a lot of energy compared to their LED counterparts. They also need replacement more often. Instead of replacing conventional bulbs with more of the same, choose LED light bulbs for replacement. LED light bulbs also last for up to 25 times longer than traditional ones, and they use significantly less power to light your home.
3. Purchase a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is an excellent option when it comes to setting your preferred temperatures throughout the day. You can stop worrying about whether your AC is on when you’re not home because you can program it from your smartphone. Using a smart thermostat, you automatically save on energy because the thermostat keeps your temp regulated without any further assistance.
4. Weatherize Your Home
Sealing air leaks will instantly reduce your cooling and heating expenses. Windows without proper sealant or doors that are missing weather strips have gaps where your indoor air can escape. When you seal those gaps, you keep the air inside, therefore reducing your energy output. Use caulk to close gaps between your window and your wall, and replace weather stripping as needed on your doors.
5. Save Electricity with Good Insulation
Sometimes, people think of insulation as a way to stay warm, but that’s not necessarily the case with homes. Insulation keeps the heat in when it’s cold, but it also keeps the heat out when it’s hot outside. You’ll want to use the proper insulation for the climate you live in, so if you’re unsure what to use, check with local contractors and insulation companies for the best ways to save on energy bills.
6. Unplug What You’re Not Using
When an electrical device is off, but stays plugged in, it still gets a trickle of electricity. You can save on your electric bill by unplugging your devices when you’re not using them. If unplugging is inconvenient, consider adopting smart power strips. Smart power strips turn off electricity to devices that are not currently in use and can be set to turn off during specific times.
8. Adopt Energy Saving Habits At Home
Many times, conserving energy also depends on what you do or don’t do every day. Do you remember to turn off the television when no one is watching? Do your kids leave the light on without thinking about it? What about your comfort levels regarding temperatures?
Turning off the lights when you’re not in a room is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy. Raising the temperature a degree or two when you’re cooling your home helps, as does lowering your temperature a few degrees when you’re heating. Make sure to teach your children how to conserve energy.
Save On Energy, Save the Planet
Replace appliances with Energy Star certified ones when you can, in addition to replacing your bulbs with LED choices instead. Check windows and doors for gaps so you can weatherize adequately to get them sealed. If you need insulation, contact a local insulation company for assistance and feedback about what works best in your area. Remember to unplug things when you’re not using them and your likely to save on electric right away.
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I’m glad you talked about how to reduce our energy consumption. Recently, my wife and I decided we’d like to turn our home into an eco-friendly one! We want to update our electrical system and know what we could do to reduce our energy use, so we’ll be sure to look for an electrician to help us out. Thanks for the advice on how we could help our planet by starting with our home’s energy waste.
Thank you for taking the time to write these fantastic energy-saving tips. It is past time for everyone to implement these suggestions in order to make our environment a better place to live.
If I were to reduce my electricity bill at home, I would make sure to have solar installed in it. It’s a good thing that you shared here as well the importance of opting for LED lights. I also agree with you that it will be smarter to replace those inefficient appliances.
Thanks for pointing out that LED light bulbs would be able to last 25 times longer than traditional ones while using less power to light the property. With that in mind, I will make sure that we will use those kinds of light when we hire electrical system services to finally work on our newly constructed home. It’s because the fixtures, appliances, and electricity are the only ones missing before we actually move into it this year.
Being able to access this data is a huge convenience. Thank you for sharing this helpful and engaging content with us!
I agree! Most digital thermostats allow users to track their energy usage. You can build a home energy profile that tells you how your energy usage has changed over time, how that’s likely to affect your energy costs in the future, and how you can adjust your heating and cooling preferences to decrease energy costs even more.
I strongly agree with your ideas. Saving energy is to reduce electricity bills and will help the earth. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for such an informative article. My upstairs master bedroom does not cool very well. The ideas you presented are great and I plan to try them! They are doable and I expect to get relief soon.
Thanks for sharing these energy-saving tips! It’s great to see that there are so many simple and practical ways to reduce energy consumption and lower our utility bills. I’ll definitely be trying some of these out in my own home.
Well written article, I always love to read your articles thanks for sharing.