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SUSTAINABLE HOME: TOP-10 ENERGY SAVING TIPS
The world is in bad shape. Carbon emissions have gone up in the last decade to the point of affecting the planet’s temperature, and worse yet, experts claim that the resulting rise in temperature is growing into a problem with no visible solution.
Combine this with the issue of dwindling fuel sources, and we become exposed to how great our energy issues are.
However, that’s not to say that we can’t still do our part. By saving energy in our homes, we can collectively reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Through these energy-saving practices, we can also contribute to global efforts to address the above-mentioned quandaries.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
Here are the top 10 most practical home energy saving tips!
Tip #1: Unplug Devices or Appliances That Are Not in Use
This one is a no-brainer but still draws some skepticism.
There’s a misconception about appliances or devices not using any energy as long as they’re switched off. In truth, appliances and devices still use energy so long as they’re plugged in. And, they use electricity whether they’re on or off.
Standby electricity still leaks to your devices when they’re plugged in. So, we still waste electricity without using our devices.
Unplugging devices can lead to a zerowaste home.
Tip #2: Get a Laptop Instead of a Desktop
Again, plugged-in devices use standby electricity even if they’re switched off. This is especially true for desktop computers.
Another issue with desktop computers is that as we use them, they need to be plugged in. Laptops, on the other hand, can be used unplugged.
It may not amount to much, but performing this step can shave at least a couple of dollars from your electric bill!
Tip #3: Use the Microwave Instead of the Oven
Unless your home has a gas oven, an electric one can sap a lot of electricity.
Meanwhile, a microwave can heat food three times faster. So, a microwave ends up using less electricity.
Tip #4: Do Your Laundry With Cold Water
Turning on the hot water setting of the washing machine uses additional energy.
With cold water, a washing machine does an equally decent job of washing clothes and economizing on water.
Speaking of water:
Tip #5: Check For Leaks and Turn Off the Faucet
Bear in mind that in most cases, our water supply is circulated with the use of a water pump. Water pumps run on electricity. The more water we use, the more electricity the pump needs to use to keep water circulating.
In short, by ensuring the absence of leaks or excessive water use, we place lesser demand on the electric water pump. Both our energy and water bills will be lower at the end of each month.
Tip #6: Use Only Necessary Lighting
For example, it’s wasteful to use the lighting of the entire living room if a table lamp will do.
If there’s no table lamp, perhaps using a smaller room with less lighting could be a step towards sustainability.
Tip #7: Dial It Back on the Shower Time
By reducing the amount of time we take showers, we save dollars that go towards our energy bill monthly.
Other than less pump usage, we can also attribute the reduced energy use to less usage of the heater.
So when we take shorter showers, we place less demand on the pump and water heater. Of course, we save water too.
Tip #8: When Cooking, Keep the Lid On
Why do we need to keep the lid on?
The lid of a pot traps heat. Leaving it on as we cook can heat the food faster than if it were off.
Whether we use a gas stove or an induction stove, keeping the lid on reduces cooking time.
Tip #9: Whenever Possible, Hang Laundry to Dry
Of all appliances, the dryer is one of the most energy-draining.
In the United States, a dryer with a full load can use as much as 7 kilowatt-hours. If it were used about five times a week, it would add as much as $20 to the energy bill. It may not seem like a lot of money, but it can add up over a year.
To reduce reliance on the dryer, it may be helpful to hang clothes out to dry them. Doing this is an especially easy zerowaste strategy during the summer.
Tip #10: When Using a Dryer, Put a Towel In
At times, we have no alternative but to use the dryer.
In this situation, the best action we can take towards sustainability is to reduce drying time. And what better way to do this than with a dry towel?
A dry towel can absorb residual moisture from clothes. This means that we may not need to leave our laundry to dry for a long time. A reduced drying time can shave off a few kilowatt-hours from our energy bill.
Final Word: Sustainability Begins At Home
In our pursuit to make a big difference in the world, we should start where we have control.
At home, there are various things we can do to reduce the amount of electricity we use. Not only are the above-mentioned tips effective, but they are also as inexpensive as they are actionable.
By following these simple home energy saving tips, we can collectively make an impact on the world’s energy dependence.
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