People all over the world are now very much concerned about the terrible effects of global warming. Conventional energy sources contribute to this phenomenon and at the same time, it also serves as a great financial worry among homeowners. People want to save the planet but they can’t possibly live without the great conveniences of today’s modern life. If you want to help in saving the environment, consider these home energy savings tips. You don’t have to be an expert in climate change or in alternative energy sources to make changes in your lifestyle. Follow these tips to ensure home energy saving:
Try to ensure that the electrical appliances are turned off. When you’re not using any of the appliances, shut them down. For those using computers with extra monitors, turn off the monitor when not in use. CFLs are better than incandescent bulbs and its energy saving too. When using air conditioners, you can still stay cool by setting the temperature at the lowest possible setting, just enough to hold back heat. You can also use ceiling fans instead so that the air inside the room is circulating. You don’t need to set the air con to maximum temperature because it’s also not comfortable to shiver inside the room.When washing clothes, try to wait until you have a full load. If the weather is sunny, you don’t need to use the dryer and instead, leave the clothes to dry outside on a clothesline or on a hanging rack. Less energy is consumed when the fridge or freezer is full. If you need to heat frozen foods in the over, leave them to defrost first. Unplug all unused appliances especially if you’re going out of the house. The fridge can still be left running but not the unnecessary ones.
5 Saving Energy Devices that can automate saving household energy:
- Saving Energy Bulbs
Making improvements to your home lighting by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs such as fluorescent compact bulbs, LED lights and outdoor solar lighting is one of the fastest and easiest ways to save home energy. Once new efficient energy lighting technologies are in place, you can move on to the next project because your saving energy bulbs are on auto-pilot working to increase your energy light savings by 50-75 percent.
- Programmable Heating Thermostat
If your house has central air conditioning, installing a programmable heating thermostat is something you really need to do. There’s absolutely no reason to pay for air conditioning or heating you don’t need. You can save up to 50% on your heating and cooling bill by programming the thermostat to automatically lower your home energy use when you are at work, away on vacation or asleep.
- Energy Saving Surge Protectors
Vampire or phantom loads are appliances and devices that continue to use electricity after they power down. According to the Department of Energy, vampire energy loss is responsible for up to 15% of a home’s annual energy costs. The best way to get rid of these vampire loads, save home energy and have the devices available for use is to put them on energy-saving surge protectors. This is one of the most cost-effective saving electricity tips you can do as it can save you as much as $400 annually.
- Star Energy Appliances
Adding these kinds of energy-saving devices throughout your home usually take some planning and budgeting. The important thing to remember though is that when you are in the market for a new refrigerator or dishwasher, purchase star energy appliances that carry the Energy Star logo on them. When you see this logo on appliances it means they qualify as saving energy devices.
- Motion Sensor Lights and Light Timers
Using saving energy devices such as motion sensor lights and light timers can really help increase your energy light savings with little or no effort on your part except to install the devices. The way motion sensor lights work is the lights will come on automatically when you enter an area, or they go off after you leave. You can use motion sensor lights both inside and outside your home. In the case of light timers, you program them to automatically turn your lights on or off at predetermined times. Using saving energy devices as much as you can throughout your home can practically automate saving household energy. There’s nothing like saving money without having to try.
