Easy Energy Saving Tips For Your Home

on Oct 1, 2020

Taking advantage of energy-saving tips will help you cut costs and become more environmentally friendly.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) claims that the average expenditure on energy bills each year by US homes is $1,500–2,500 on energy bills, and 45% of that is spent on heating and cooling.

Energy-efficient homes use substantially less energy for all heating and cooling processes, which may include HVAC systems, water heating, and other types of electric energy use.

Some simple tweaks can help you save hundreds of dollars on electric bills each year.

Seasonality Matters

The strategies that you use to conserve energy in your home will depend on a number of factors, including:

How you heat and cool your home
What direction your house faces
The age of your home
The age and type of your appliances
How many windows are in your home
Weather and climate

South-facing windows, for instance, can be used as natural heat sources, and most hardware stores offer easy-to-install insulation options for windows and cracks.

Click here to discover some energy saving tips for summer or warmer climates.

Water And Heating Management

A lot of the energy you use in your home has to do with the way you heat your water and air, and how you use appliances to complete household tasks.

Here are some ways you can change your appliances to ensure that they’re working at maximum efficiency.

Adjust Water Heater & Dishwasher Temperature Settings

One of the best things you can do to cut energy costs is to turn down the temperature on your water heater.

A good rule of thumb is to try keeping it around 120°F, which is typically between “medium” and “low” settings. You may also have the option of turning down the water temperature on your dishwasher to around the same level.

Replace Appliances

Newer appliances are more energy-efficient. If you’re in the market, look for ones with the Energy Star rating to ensure you’re getting the most eco-friendly option.

If natural gas is available in your region, it may be more sustainable and affordable than electricity. You may be able to swap out various appliances from electric to gas, including your:

Water heater
Stove
Furnace
Fireplace

Sometimes these will cost a little more to install, but you’ll earn this back in energy savings, and it is also likely to increase your property value.

Conserve Water

We can’t offer energy saving tips without mentioning the simple task of saving hot water. Low-flow faucets, shorter showers, and newer appliances are easy ways to save water.

If you are in an older building, getting your plumbing checked and pipes replaced will ensure that your water costs stay as low as possible.

Stoves and Ovens

You might be surprised that one of the easiest energy-saving tips has to do with your cooking habits. Here are some pointers:

Keep lids on bots when boiling water
Don’t leave the oven on for longer than it needs to
Use only the size of oven you need — smaller ovens use less heat
Ensure your gas oven is always clean

Washers and Dryers

Dryers can use up a lot of energy, and the higher the heat level, the more this will cost. Consider using lower temperatures and hang-drying laundry when possible.

Newer dryers have sensors which ensure that they shut off when moisture levels are low enough. Otherwise, simply leaving it on a timer setting will help to make sure you don’t waste energy here.

It’s essential that you clean the dryer lint filter after each use as well. Not only is this a safety precaution, but a clogged lint trap will also reduce dryer efficiency and cause it to use more energy than necessary.

Do larger loads of laundry and wash your clothes in cold water as often as possible.

Heating / Cooling and Insulation

Some of the best energy-saving tips revolve around moderating temperatures.

Insulating your hot water heater, windows, and spaces which may be drafty like attics is essential for keeping your house warm in the winter.

Smart thermostats are also a great idea, especially if you leave the house empty often. You can pre-set them to adjust the heat as needed during specified time periods.

Ensuring that your HVAC systems are well-maintained and that filters are replaced every 3-6 months, is essential and especially if you rely heavily on air conditioning in the summer.

The benefits of a well-maintained HVAC system include less: