Did you know that by replacing just a single light bulb in your house with a more energy-efficient one you can save up to $600 million a year in energy costs? Now, if only replacing one bulb can make such a huge difference, how much more can you save by making a couple of changes? Each year, many homes spend a lot on electricity bills, especially those families with more than two members. Thankfully, there are several changes that you can make to reduce your household’s energy use.
If you have been looking for ways to save money on your electricity bills, here are 5 energy saving tips you’ll wish you had known.
1. Replace incandescent bulbs.
Why? Incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient since they generally produce a lot of light and heat. To generate that much heat and light, they consume excessive amounts of energy. To prevent this, you should replace them with compact fluorescent or LED lights. Although these energy-efficient bulbs may cost you a few more cents, their efficiency will prove to be extremely cost-effective in the long run. They will help reduce your energy consumption on lighting by more than 75 percent, thus reducing your overall energy bills.
2. Install energy-efficient windows.
Why? A good percentage of the energy that is produced inside your home tends to get lost when you use bad windows and doors. Since bad and older windows are often very drafty, your furnace and air conditioner are usually forced to work extra hard for them to cool or heat your home. Since insulation can also help keep your home feel comfortable without your air conditioner working too hard, you can consider adding extra thickness on the insulation to reduce leaks and drafts. These windows prevent your cooled or heated air from escaping your home. Due to this increased insulation, your overall home’s energy usage will be greatly reduced.
3. Always use cold water to wash.
Why? Generally, turning on your home hot water faucet requires some amount of energy to heat the water. In fact, water heating electricity bills may account for up to a quarter of your overall electricity bills. For this reason, you should consider using cold water especially for doing things like washing clothes and cooking. As you use cold water to wash and cook, less energy will be spent on heating resulting in lower energy costs.
4. Upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances.
Compared to newer appliances, older ones are inefficient and tend to use a lot of energy. This is why you should consider replacing those old appliances that you own with the modern energy-efficient ones. When buying new appliances, look for those that are Energy Star rated. When you do this, you will be able to reduce the energy used by your appliances by up to 50 percent resulting in lower energy bills.
5. Install renewable energy sources
One of the best ways anyone can minimize their monthly energy bills is by investing in a renewable energy source like hydroelectric and solar energy. These sources are as good as free since the only cost you will incur is the initial investment when building the facility that will produce electricity. Although there are both advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric energy and solar power, the cost savings, in the long run, will be worth it. After installation, the ongoing cost for generating electricity will be almost zero, which will be a great relief on your energy bills.
Saving electricity at home is becoming more increasingly important and desirable to many people. High energy consumption will lead to higher bills as well as environmental consequences. On the other hand, less energy consumption translates to lower electricity bills and less harmful emissions released into the environment. Thankfully, making these small changes in your home will prevent you from spending inappropriate amounts year after year.
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