Are you looking for ways to conserve energy at home?
Don’t feel overwhelmed by the future of Energy. Solutions start with understanding how energy is consumed at home, and the know-how to support efficiency wherever you can.
Technological advances and a little common sense have allowed plenty of ways to maximize our efficiency on electricity, natural gas and oil use at home. There are always ways to reduce your dependence on energy and conserve energy in your home. With environmental challenges front and center in the news, the problem that presents the most damage is the belief that this problem is too overwhelming to solve.
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In the largest study of its kind, researchers at the University of Bath have disclosed that environmental news of doom and gloom is causing widespread psychological distress for young people ages 16-25.
“Over 50% felt sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty. Over 45% said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning, and many reported a high number of negative thoughts about climate change.”- Papers.ssrn.com
As adults with the perspective and experience of having seen a world in crisis countless times, we need to lead with a healthy perspective and actionable tips to conserve and save on energy. Knowledge promotes better habits which in turn builds a better future. Below we offer 100 simple tips that give the power to change back to the people who crave it.
Get realistic to identify and save energy waste in your home.
How to Conserve Energy
It’s time to get real (REALISTIC) about Household Energy. Get Realistic, research, and reduce- it’s about respect for a resource that is not infinite.
Most environmental stresses have arisen from bad habits around energy consumption and decades-long lack of education on how every one of us can act with thoughtful household decisions as our energy needs accelerate.
The biggest contributors:
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Heating
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Inefficient use of resources
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Appliances
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Electrical waste by objects not in use
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Water waste
IDEA: Lead by example: Adults who demonstrate bad energy usage habits are promoting this behavior in youth who are looking to you to establish a base for normal. Be diligent with conserving energy.
Schedule a fake power outage. You need to understand when energy is essential and when it is simply comfortable. By bringing your family into the decision process and taking note of when you need or want energy, you will make better choices. Your freezer may need to be on, your hair curler, perhaps not.
Good habits at home start with understanding when and how you are tapping into the urban grid to consume energy. Just as you wouldn’t wear a parka to a pool party, you need to be looking at places where you are overcompensating for energy.
How Can We Save Electricity at Home?
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Game Changing Lesson Number 1: Larger appliances will naturally use more energy.
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You have a choice; you can reduce the amount of time you use a high-energy intake appliance or choose a better option for the outcome. Often many appliances in your home serve a similar purpose. Choosing the smallest appliance to get the job done is the best choice. It's that easy.
Start where your electrical appliances, power stations, electronic devices are stored. Ask, “Is this the best way?” to ensure they are not drawing power or leaking energy to the environment when not in use.
Here are a few kitchen tactics, with this in mind:
Cook better:
1-6) Cooking heat management best practices:
1. Use lids when boiling to keep energy from escaping.
2. Turn off burners a few minutes before you finish cooking, their cooling down time will finish your meal.
3. Cook from warm not cold: Thaw your frozen foods before you cook them.
4. When baking, turn your oven off early, about ten minutes before the cooking time required will do.
5. Stop Broiling: One of the cooking methods that requires the most amount of energy is broiling.
6. Consolidate your cooking time. An oven takes time to warm up and to cool down. By scheduling your use of the oven, to cook multiple items at the same time, you reduce overall energy wastage.
Those holiday cookies can be made on the same day and embracing a weekly food preparation habit can become your new normal.
7-10) Use smaller appliances in place of your oven for smaller meals.
7. Pressure cooker – Pressure cookers are not only convenient, they are also energy efficient.
8. Use small burners for small pots and large burners for large pots.
9. Microwaves and toaster ovens are a better choice for warming leftovers.
10. Use outdoor grills to cook instead of kitchen appliances.
11-20) Store food better
11. Temperature Controls -Make sure your freezer and refrigerator are set at the right temperatures for the season.
12. Control Airflow. Avoid letting warm air that needs to be re-cooled into fridges by checking the fridge door seals are airtight.
13. Add Lids. When you place uncovered liquids in your refrigerator, it causes vapors to be emitted that will add to the workload of the compressor.
14. Use the right fridge temperature, keep your fridge at a temperature of around 38-40 degrees. The freezer should be around 5 degrees. More is not better.
15. Use chest-type deep freezers. You’ll open them less over time.
16. Open once. Never repeatedly open and close the refrigerator, it interrupts the appliances' ability to regulate its temperature.
17. Clean your coils: dirt and debris build-up on refrigerator coils, minimizing their efficiency.
18. Location matters: freezers and refrigerators should be placed away from your stoves and sunlight. Your refrigerator and freezer get warmed up and have to battle harder to stay cool. Save yourself some trouble and find a shaded spot for the appliance.
19. Don’t overpack your fridge. Internal sensors tend to overcompensate when they are deprived of airflow. You know this has happened to you when your Cola cans in the back of the fridge are frozen.
20. Get a multiple access fridge. Modern fridges let you access containers in the door separately from the shelf storage minimizing exposure to warm room temperatures.
How Can We Save Electricity at Home?
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Game Changing Lesson Number 2: Anything PLUGGED IN consumes energy
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21-30) Respect Energy by understanding where energy is being lost to the surrounding environment.
Phantom load or vampire power refers to electricity consumed by devices that have been turned off but remain plugged in. Get in the habit of unplugging or using a power bar with an off switch.
Learn More about Vampire Power wasting devices in this YouTube Video
21. Inspections by a professional matter. Over time machine securing gets loose and sometimes that leads to inefficiencies that drain energy in compensation. Check anything with a hose, washer, or connector. Check everything, starting with the biggest to the smallest.
22. Water temperature is subjective, so lower the temperature a few degrees on your water heater, chances are you won’t even notice until you get the bill.
23. Turn it on once: leave it on. There is more electricity and power being used every time you turn the heater or A/C on or off.
24. Limit access to the attic. Heat rises, so open doors to attics draw heat up, which means you use more. A little foam insulation pads or weather-stripping tape along the edges of your attic panel can help too.
25. Colours matter: We all learned that white reflects sunlight, and black absorbs it. If you live in a hot climate, paint your roof white to cool your home, or black in colder climates.
26. Strategic planting can cool you: Plant shrubs or even trees around the exterior of your home. The more greenery you have, the more there will be to absorb the sun’s rays.
27. Use the best technology. Smart and artificial intelligence investments can learn what and when you use energy to predict when to throttle down your needs.
28. Electronic personal assistants like Google Home and Alexa from Amazon will make turning off lights as easy as calling out a simple statement.
29. Hire an inspector: to do a blower door test and identify all leaks throughout your house. The solution: caulking, weatherstripping, replacing seals.
31- 35) Get the best rates by being mindful of energy
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Game Changing Lesson Number 3: Utility providers differ in how they sell you energy
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31. Buy better. If a provider’s customer service is reliable, their technology is likely on point too. Check their rates and plan. Check reviews - choose reliable products, get the best efficiency.
32. Understanding energy rate types and fluctuations is important in order to pay close attention to times when energy needs are strained and may cost more.
33. Fixed, Variable or Indexed rates. If you know how you use energy you can negotiate a contract that gets you just what you need, no more with savings to your price paid each month.
Fixed rates are pre-calculated and stay unchanged for 12–24 months.
Variable or indexed rates fluctuate frequently with the market and public use index, affecting your bill as the rate dips or rises.
Use Variable or indexed rates for a more accurate evaluation.
34. Set an energy audit schedule. In a free-market economy, new players and new technological infrastructure may provide better overall rates. Look at how the market for energy is changing and ask for the best rate. No provider will willingly lower your rates.
35. Supplement energy costs with renewable investments. If solar, wind, or natural gas options are an option, look at how they can save you in the long run and make the calculation to see if saving greatly outweighs the initial investment. Don’t forget the resale value of your property in the calculation.
36-50) Entertain yourself differently
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Game Changing Lesson Number 4: Variety improves life balance and energy bills
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37. Mix it up. Change up from Internet and TV to a low-tech option every now and again, like playing board games, walks, hide’n’seek with the children, or whatever fun activities come to mind.
38. Move from video games to physical games. Consoles are energy hogs, so encourage physical activity habits that lead to kids with healthy habits.
39. Adjust the brightness. Likely the default factory setting is brighter than necessary. If your TV has an ambient light sensor this may not be the case, as long as it is set to ON.
40. Watch actively or not at all: We’ve all done it, kept the TV on while working on something else. turn it off when you’re not watching the tournament or switch it to standby.
41. Read more: Reading is rewarding, it exercises the mind, and it’s a great way to reduce energy use.
42. Watch parties. If your Sat night show is a trending topic, invite over friends or neighbors to watch it together.
43. Create a vacation checklist: If you’re going on vacation for the next month or so, be sure to turn off all lights and unplug all devices.
45. Physical Exercise Routine: Getting into a routine that gets you out of the house is a great way to reduce the electricity you use.
Taking a family walk will encourage family conversations and give your devices, and room light a break.
46. When you listen to the radio through your TV, make sure the screen stays blank.
47. Reduce use of toys that require energy. Montier children's toys from overuse by requiring children to come to you to get them. This way they can’t overuse these toys.
48. The power of a power bar. Plug your computer, cell phone charger, printer, and TV all into an energy-efficient power strip instead of a normal power strip.
49. Do a solar audit: Where can you re-distribute solar energy in your home? It takes just under two hours to charge a smartphone battery with a solar power charging kit reducing your need for electricity.
50. Try an LED TV. It's 20-25% more efficient than a plasma TV. Some are up to 400% more efficient in energy usage.
How Can We Conserve Energy?
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Game Changing Lesson Number 5: Modern society uses too much light
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(51-65) Know your LIGHT FACTS:
51. Go fiber-optic. Holiday lighting has plenty of energy-optimized options like fiber-optics - they can light the entire house with minimal equipment and use.
52. LED Fish tanks. Filters in a fish tank are always running, using energy. Compensate for this by replacing the lights with LED light bulbs.
53. Installing dimmers on your led bulbs is an easy way to create a relaxing vibe.
54. Solar Paths: Use the Sun’s energy by moving to solar to light your pathways, hallways, or for security purposes.
55. Manage room light capacity. Use this formula: 20 lumens of light per square foot. Beyond that, consider the needs of the room - offices and kitchens require more.
56. Use a scheduled timer for your lights. You can ensure that your lights are on only when you need them.
57. Clip-on lights and their low capacity can be used in many ways. In plant and fish aquariums, spotlights on special holiday arrangements, mantle decorations or proud crafting projects, clip-on lights add character and ambiance.
58. Dim the backlight. Try cutting the energy by up to 1/3.
59. Empower children to connect energy to work – show them how to stay safe with shakable LED flashlights.
60. Dust light bulbs. They perform better when clean.
61. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. It does make a difference, and the habit will serve you well for years to come...
62. Do a holiday light audit. So many lights are used during the holiday season. Reduce the number of lights, other lights besides the decorations, or the time lights are on.
63. Incandescent bulbs around your home should be used sparingly and appropriately, for mood lights.
64. Candles are pretty, inexpensive and trendy decorations.
65. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. It seems obvious but look around your home and be honest - are you using energy-efficient light bulbs? Try an LED; it lasts around 30,000-50,000 hours, dwarfing the typical incandescent bulbs' 1,000-hour lifetime.
Watch this video on YouTube that evaluates the cost of using LED bulbs to save energy
Conservation of Electricity
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Game Changing Lesson Number 6: Producing energy uses water, and providing fresh water uses energy.
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(66-75) Water Consumption matters too.
Getting water to your home uses energy. By reducing your need for water you also reduce your use of energy.
66. Install a shower with a water-flow controller. Less water will not even be noticed.
67. Limit your time. Take fewer baths. Showers use less water, especially if you limit them to 10 minutes.
68. Audit your faucets and try low-flow faucets Use your water as efficiently as possible by auditing all your spigots and faucets for efficient flow. This could lead to a 25-60% savings on home energy needs.
69. Do you know what an aerator is? These small, round devices screws onto the tip of your faucet to conserve water.
70. Repair leaky faucets, reduce water waste. Especially important in drought-stricken areas..
71. Run your dishwasher and washing machine full. This will mean running them less often.
72. Use the dishwasher. It may not be intuitive but a dishwasher is more energy-efficient than hand washing.
73. Water off. When shaving or brushing your teeth, the water does not need to run.
74. Use cold water, not hot water, in your garbage disposal. It’s an easy way to lower your need for energy.
75. Rinse hold settings on your dishwasher can be reduced. Check your manual for easy instructions.
How do you promote the conservation of Natural Gas?
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Game Changing Lesson Number 7: Reduce the time it takes to heat or cool, it makes a substantial difference.
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Energy is stored in many forms around your home. The most common are compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Some of the most common uses for natural gas in homes include:
- Heating and cooling air
- Providing gas for ranges (stoves and ovens)
- Fireplaces
- Laundry dryers
- Barbeque grills and fire pits
Step one is knowing which appliance depends on natural gas. Here’s a tip: washers are almost always electrical, and dryers can use gas. To determine which you have, check the gas line. If it using copper piping you are likely using gas, if it is a plug you’re using electricity.
76-80) laundry better:
76. Conserve energy by doing all your laundry loads consecutively, while the washer and dryer remain warm.
77. Do full loads to reduce the number of loads.
78. Try a clothesline instead of a dryer when the weather permits.
79. Cold water laundry saves on energy. Heat = energy. The cold setting will clean your clothes just as well as hot water. Especially if you use eco-friendly cold-water products and save up to 10% on electricity costs.
80. Use the dry sensor features on the dryer.
BONUS. Don’t forget to clean the lint trap between dry cycles. Efficiently running dryers use less natural gas.
How to Conserve Oil?
With respect to heating and furnaces, oil burns hotter than natural gas. Heating time counts toward efficiency. Burning oil will heat up a room faster than natural gas, making oil systems popular. This makes oil systems popular.
Just because you're already choosing better does not mean you can’t improve with cleaner usage habits. Heating and cooling is the most significant opportunity for abuse.
The techniques you use to conserve oil are also applicable to all heating options. You need to ensure that your heating and cooling systems are not being overworked needlessly.
HEATING/ COOLING
Attention to heating and cooling needs can save you 40% on your electric bill.
How you heat or cool your home is the most direct route to being an energy conservation master. It is also the checklist which requires most of our attention.
(81-95) Reducing your energy needs is easier than you think
It’s Hot!
81. DIY AC investment With $30 worth of materials, a fan, a bucket, and a few hours, you can make your own AC system.
82. Fans are a great alternative to the constant adjustment of a thermostat.
83. Ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens may dispel odors, but they are not efficient. The fan blows away heat and AC, leaving people increasing both and using more electricity.
84. Your ceiling fan should be spinning in reverse during summer to improve airflow by pulling the cooler air through the air and upward.
85. Furniture, such as bookshelves and file cabinets, should not block air conditioning vents.
86. Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees.
BONUS. Close those blinds on really sunny days.
It’s Cold!
87. Use a gas fireplace, it heats faster and more efficiently. If you have one, it’s a better option then heating your home with furnace options when outdoor temperatures are low.
88. Use heavy drapes on all your windows to hold the heat in.
89. Instead of fighting winter, dig deep into your closet for the warmest sweaters and the fuzziest slippers.
90. Watch those open doors and windows. Open doors and windows allow for a gradual temperature shift as the warm or cold air generated by your HVAC system begins to escape your home.
91. Check air flow out! Check for leaks allowing outdoor air inside. Seal up any window and door cracks with weather stripping or caulk. Shut doors to areas you’re not using.
92. Help your water heater. The winter air is cold, find safe ways to insulate your heater to help it retain its heat.
93. Clean or replace air filters. There is no need to make your systems work harder for the same result.
94. Use a programmable smart thermostat to ensure the temperature remains consistent.
95. Turn off your water heater if you plan on leaving home for a few days, otherwise it will fight to stay on even when you will not benefit.
BONUS. Check your heating bill to make sure it is accurate. Pay attention to the usage that is reported on your bill and monitor those game changing winter months.
Use Less More Often, that’s the key
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Game Changing Lesson Number 8: Spending money today saves you money later
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96- 110) Invest in better energy users.
Be a real energy superstar with these renovation tips.
Renovating? Look for technology which supports your energy efforts:
96. Structured Insulated panels (SIPs) have a layer of foam between pieces of plywood and can provide 50% savings over homes built with traditional materials.
97. Low Emissive Windows cost 10-15% more than clear glass windows with a payoff of reducing heat flow through their glass by 50%.
98. Vacuum Insulation panels offer seven times the insulation protection and although not often used for homes yet, look out for their adoption.
99. In-home motion kits can control any device you can plug into a wall. Lights, fans, computers, think of creative ways to automate your energy consumption.
100. If you can go solar, go solar! There are plenty of solar panel home installation services. Get a quote and see if it is right for you.
101. Take the time to ensure your contractors are certified to build in an energy-efficient way.
Pay attention the needs of the seasons:
102. Triple-track glass and screen storm windows. Triple track glass combines a screen and two panels, which enables air flow through either the top or bottom portion.
103. Frost your windows in the summer: Find a D.I.Y. guide to frosting your windows to block out the sunlight so your home remains cool.
Dispose of faulty appliances that don’t work properly. They are energy drains on your home.
104. Green Program Support: Look to trade-in recycling programs and grants to help you share the cost burden.
105. Downsize: Modern appliances are often both efficient and smaller, so they take up less space around your home.
106. Ask yourself if you need to replace the item. Perhaps with what you have learned your home already has a more energy-conscious option.
Get an expert home assessment:
107. Check the insulation in your home, from your walls to your pipes, to reduce the need for heating and save money on your electric bill.
108. Close your chimney flue when not in use. This will ensure warm air is not escaping.
109. Certified home assessment services exist. A trained eye on door and window sealing makes all the difference.
110. Embrace a “work from home sometimes” culture. Your home office costs less than it does to commute back-and-forth for most workers. If your company embraces a weekly schedule of office closures, the amount of energy saved can be exceptional.
To Save on Electricity at Home is Easy, with a Few Changes
As a savvy consumer, a gain in energy efficiency has a direct result in gains to the bottom line. Reducing your cost for electricity will become a need, as the bills per volt used are bound to rise to accommodate our needs for an expanded grid, or to implement green or renewable generators. Our future of energy is going to be better than ever before, especially if you choose to take advantage of these simple steps in your own home. Don’t forget to share. Leading with hope for our future will benefit everyone, and it’s a message we need to support.