Reducing your home’s electricity usage is good for both your bank account and the environment. You help the environment by playing a smaller role in the production of the toxic fumes power plants generate. You help your bank account by wasting less money on unnecessary energy usage. Reducing the amount of electricity you use in your home, will help you contribute to a happier, healthier world–and bank account!
Best of all, it’s easy! There are all kinds of different, surprisingly simple ways to improve your home’s power efficiency and reduce its consumption. Here are just a few of the simplest, most easily implemented ways you could reduce your electrical usage today:
Upgrade to Energy Star appliances.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star products are independently certified to meet strict energy efficiency standards. Any appliance that has the Energy Star rating is comparable in quality to similar products and uses less electricity.
If a refrigerator qualifies for the Energy Star rating, for example, that means it’s at least 15% more effective than the minimum federal energy efficiency standard. Upgrading to Energy Star appliances will help you use far less power immediately and permanently. Next time you need to buy or replace an electrical appliance, keep an eye out for the Energy Star label.
Change up the light bulbs you use.
You can replace nearly any of the incandescent lightbulbs you’re using right now with compact fluorescent bulbs immediately. Fluorescent bulbs provide just as much light as incandescent bulbs and use one fifth as much electricity. They’re also hardier than incandescent bulbs, and last up to five times longer.
Fluorescent bulbs may cost a little more than incandescent bulbs at first, but the power they save more than makes up for the investment. The more incandescent bulbs you can successfully replace, the more power (and money) you’ll save.
Use timed light sensors.
Maintaining a household is a lot of work. It’s easy to forget things like turning off the lights every time you leave a room. That’s where motion-activated light sensors come in.
Consider installing timed light sensors for both your indoor and outdoor lighting. Automated light sensors will help you drastically reduce your light use and therefore your electrical use. All you have to do is install them!
Have a smart thermostat installed.
Smart thermostats give you greater control over heating and cooling your home. With remote connectivity and customizable algorithms, they offer a lot of capabilities. You can use them to control the temperature in your home while on the go.
Programming your thermostat will help you use your HVAC system far less frequently. You could turn off your AC whenever you go out, for instance, and program it to turn back on right before you get home. You won’t feel any difference, but your AC won’t run for the hours you’re away. Running your AC less frequently will save a lot of power and money–and you won’t feel the difference!
Unplug devices when you’re not actively using them.
Why pay for electrical devices you’re not even using? Even when they’re not powered on, anything plugged into an outlet uses some power. While it may not seem like it would make a difference, all small efforts add up over time.
Speaking of small efforts, unplugging your electronics barely takes any time or effort at all. You’re not even using them! Just unplugging the fixtures you aren’t using will help you save a surprising amount of power.
Invest in insulation updates.
When was the last time you had your home’s insulation inspected? The insulation in your home is what keeps heat in when it’s cold and out when it’s warm. If it’s old or worn down, that means your home’s HVAC has to work even harder to maintain your preferred temperature.
If you don’t know when your home’s insulation was installed, consider having it inspected. Professionals will be able to tell you how effective your insulation is and how to improve it. Upgrading old insulation will help considerably improve the efficiency of your HVAC. Your AC will run less frequently and you’ll save money–all while staying just as cool.
These small changes make a big difference. If you’re interested in improving your home’s electrical efficiency, give Mike Diamond a call. We’re ready to help make your home as power-efficient as it can be.