10 Ways to Save Electricity at Home

Using lights, stovetops, laundry machines, and other electrical equipment can quickly increase your electricity bill. But, you don’t have to get used to always paying high utility bills.

Several simple ways to save electricity at home during your everyday routines. Here are simple changes in your power consumption that can help save energy in your home.

1. Turn Off Lights and Electrical Appliances

Turning off lights that are not in use is probably the easiest way to minimize energy waste. Switch off your cooling units, heater, and appliances that are not in use.  Switching appliances off at the PowerPoint can save more energy than switching or remote control.

Try not to leave your appliances on standby. Turn off your Wi-Fi routers and printers while you’re away and overnight. If you have a computer, consider activating its energy-saving mode that turns the screen off after a period of inactivity.

Another way to simplify this often forgotten task is by hiring an electrician to install motion-sensing switches. These digital switches automatically switch off lights when human presence isn’t detected.

2. Unplug Your Freezer Occasionally

When your freezer has excessive ice buildup, its system uses more energy to preserve all that ice. You should consider defrosting your freezer once per month.

Any time you want to de-ice, just unplug your freezer and remove all your food. Leave the door open for quicker defrosting, and dry your freezer.

Switch it on and repack your food items once the temperatures are low. You may want to stop using the big deep freezer altogether if you have a big refrigerator.

3. Close Doors and Shut Curtains

This is one of the most basic ways to save electricity at home. Reduce cooling costs in summer by closing your curtains during the day. Closed curtains reduce incoming heat, thus preventing sunlight from heating your home.

You can also save on air conditioning costs if you live in a two-story building by shutting doors on the upper floor. This mainly works well if you spend most of your time downstairs. Remember to open doors at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

4. Replace Your Light Bulbs

Traditional light bulbs consume more electricity and must be replaced more often than energy-saving lamps. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), light-emitting diodes, and Halogen incandescent bulbs use anywhere from 25-80% less energy than traditional ones.

Energy-efficient bulbs are often a bit more expensive off-the-shelf. However, their extended service and energy efficiency make them a cheaper option in the long run.

5. Use Natural Light

Use the light from the sun whenever possible instead of depending entirely on artificial light. Open up your curtain to let in natural light. Also, arrange your working area so that natural light fills your desk.

Natural light can help improve your mood, giving you an even greater incentive to keep working. If you need additional lighting, try using a low-power desk lamp. Consider using light-shade blinds or curtains that let in natural light and provide privacy whenever you need it.

6. Install Ceiling Fans

Homes often become stuffy because of poor circulation. Ceiling fans make the air circulate more efficiently, saving air conditioning costs. You can allow some heat by your air conditioning if the ceiling fan is pushing cool air down on you.

Ceiling fans can help reduce energy consumption, especially during winter. All you need to do is click the reverse switch to make the fan blades rotate in the opposite direction and push hot air down to you.

7. Use Solar Power

Installing solar-powered lighting is a feasible alternative to traditional electricity systems. Switching to clean energy is an excellent way of reducing the amount of energy you use.

Consider replacing your landscape lighting with solar power to save on electricity. This is because lights that stay on during the day waste electricity. You can also install a solar hot water system to help prevent gas charges often associated with gas-fired water heaters.

Move things a notch higher by taking your entire essential home lighting to an off grid solar system. Besides, it’s better for the planet and helps reduce your bills.

8. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Install and program a digital thermostat to save on electricity costs. Switching to a programmable thermostat can help save on electricity.

A programmable thermostat automatically sets the right temperature depending on the season. During winter, for example, you can notify the thermostat to raise the temperature automatically two hours before reaching home. This way, you’ll use less power to warm your house.

9. Replace Old Appliances

Large home appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers are substantial power consumers. Running heavy consumers during peak hours-when rates are cheaper can help, but that’s not enough.

Replace old, less efficient models with ones that have the EnergyStar approval seal. EnergyStar is a government program that rates the efficiency of appliances so consumers can make intelligent choices. The program also advises replacing clothes dryers made before 2000 with a newer model to save energy.

Although highly-rated EnergyStar equipment may be expensive, their low-power consumption can help cover the initial investment. Also, compare energy-efficient equipment before buying.

10. Weather-Proof Your Home

Sealing air leaks around your home can help reduce your cooling and heating expenses. Some common air leaks include doors, windows, and vents. To prevent these leaks, seal openings or cracks between the wall, door frame, window, or vent.

Whether it’s through the attic hatch, light fixtures, or ducts, hot air will rise and escape through tiny openings. You can apply caulk to seal air leaks between stationary objects, like window frames and the wall. You can use weather stripping for openings between moving objects, like operable doors and windows.

Start Applying These Ways to Save Electricity at Home Today

Energy consumption is a big concern for households and the environment. The good thing is that with just a few small adjustments, you can start to see a difference in your next electricity bill.

The list above comprises ways to save electricity at home that will help reduce your household’s need for energy and save you money. We love to share tips about other ways to improve your home. Check out our blog for more articles.


Yvan Lebrun
Yvan Lebrun

Yvan Lebrun is a trusted expert in the field of product & service reviews. With over a decade of experience analyzing and comparing services online, he shares his valuable experience with readers at GoodSitesLike so consumers can make educated decisions before making a purchase.

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