Saving energy at home is one of the biggest efforts that a person or family can make to reduce their impact on the environment. We all know that we should be making more of an effort, and yet it’s hard to know where to start, and the sheer number of things that you can do can make it overwhelming.
To help you become more energy savvy, and to even help you save money, you’ll find 15 of the best ways to save energy at home below. Take a look:
1. Turn Off The Lights
Start by getting into the habit of turning off the lights when leaving a room. Leaving the lights on all the time might not seem like a big deal, but the impact and cost can add up over time. Make sure everybody in your home is on the same page so that you can all reduce your impact together. Using dimmer switches in rooms can also make it better to control the amount of energy you use, as well as the atmosphere in a room.
2. Change Your Lightbulbs
Simply changing your lightbulbs could make a difference to your environmental footprint. Looking at buying LED lightbulbs instead of traditional lightbulbs means doing better for the environment, and saving money on both your bills and bulbs in the long run, as they last longer. Changing your lightbulbs takes very little effort but can make a huge difference.
3. Switch To Energy Efficient Appliances
When your appliances need to be replaced, look for appliances that have a high energy star rating and have been shown to use less energy when in use. Whether you need a new washing machine or refrigerator, make this a priority.
Not sure what to do with your old appliances? Make sure you recycle them! This is a great example to set for your kids, too. Recycling old items is always better than throwing them away.
4. Look At Your Roof
When was the last time you inspected your roof to make sure that it wasn’t negatively impacting your energy saving efforts? Your roof may need to be insulated, or you may need to completely replace it depending on when you last had a new one. If you think this could be an option for you, see if you can set up a consultation with a trusted roofing company who can come out and tell you what needs to happen. A roof doesn’t last forever, so you will need to replace it eventually.
5. Unplug Devices When You’re Not Using Them
Make sure you’re in the habit of unplugging devices when you’re not using them. Don’t just leave everything plugged in out of habit, because it uses energy whether you know it or not. Aside from unplugging essentials like your wi-fi router, pretty much everything else should be unplugged when not in use.
6. Keep Your Thermostat Low
Keeping your thermostat low will reduce your bills and ensure you’re not using more energy than you should be. Even lowering it by one degree can make a huge difference to your bills and the planet! Could you use a blanket, or throw on a jumper instead of cranking that heating all the way up? There are some super warm and cosy blanket hoodies available, and they will keep you toasty no matter what.
7. Cut Down On Your Water Consumption
Making small changes to how you use your water can make a substantial difference to your impact and bills. Stop running the tap when you brush your teeth or do the washing up. Consider taking short showers rather than bathing every day. Making one small change at a time can reduce your water usage overtime and you should notice the difference on your water bill.
8. Use Automated Devices
Automated devices can make it easy to save energy at home, as you barely need to think about anything at all. You can often pair these automated devices with apps so you can even control things remotely. This means even if you’re still at work, you can make it look like someone is home by turning the lights off, or make sure you’ve not left anything running that shouldn’t be.
9. Switch To Double Glazed Windows
Double glazed windows will reduce the amount of heat that escapes through your window, making them far more efficient and affordable. Plus, new windows can really change up the look of your home and add value!
10. Track Your Usage With A Smart Meter
Using a smart meter can help you to keep an eye on your usage and find more ways to cut back over time. You’ll easily be able to see where you’re using the most energy and cut back. You’ll often see a noticeable reduction in your bills right away!
11. Wash At A Cold Temperature
Wash your clothes at a cold temperature if possible. Not only is this better for the environment, it often stops colors from running.
12. Make Use Of Solar Power
Solar power is no longer something we all imagine using in the future – it’s something we should all be making use of now. Solar thermal panels take energy from the sun and use it to heat up water, cutting your heating bills and carbon emissions. While solar panels may not be cheap to install, they can be a great way for you to reduce your energy consumption and save money over time, so they can pay for themselves.
13. Dry Your Clothes With An Outdoor Clothesline
Dry your clothes with an outdoor clothesline rather than a dryer. If it’s raining, using an indoor airer is better than a tumble dryer.
14. Stay On Top Of Your Housework
If you needed more of a reason to stay on top of your housework, here it is. Keep your hob clean to make sure it works as effectively as possible. Don’t forget to dust and vacuum your radiators. Layers of dust stop heat from flowing freely, so it’s essential your home is kept dust free. You should even dust your lightbulbs, as the dust can reduce their intensity. You should also pull your fridge away from the wall and vacuum the coils if you don’t usually do so, as it stops the fridge motor from having to work too hard. Make sure your washing machine filters and tumble dryer filters are changed regularly, too. Come up with a maintenance schedule so that nothing gets left behind.
15. Pay Attention To The Outside of Your Home, Too
Although you can save most of the energy within your home, paying attention to the outside of your home is important, too. An external security lighting system can help to keep your family safe, but make sure you use halogen light bulbs, as they consume around 25% less electricity than their incandescent counterparts. Timers, heat sensors or motion detectors make sure these external lights only come on when needed, too, further saving energy.
Electric lawn mowers are quieter and less polluting than traditional petrol powered mowers. Old fashioned manual mowers are actually the most energy saving you can use, but they may not be the best option for everyone.
If you have a hot tub or a pool, make sure you cover it up when it’s not in use. Solar covers can use the heat of the sun to heat the water, making it an even more eco-friendly venture.
Hopefully you have plenty of new ways to save energy at home with this guide. Do you have anything you’d like to add? Leave your thoughts below!
