Reducing your energy bill is a great way to save money and help the environment. Most methods to decrease energy usage do not negatively affect anyone’s personal comforts. Many tips are an awareness of habits and require a slight shift in your daily routine. Read more for ideas to reduce your energy bill.
- Water
o Dishwasher
Cleaning your dishes in the sink by hand uses more water and energy than the dishwasher. Your dishwasher consumes almost 10 times less water than hand washing does. Run your dishwasher when it is full; this will reduce the number of times you need to run the dishwasher, which reduces your water and energy consumption.
Many utility companies charge less for energy at night. So, set your dishwasher to run later in the evening, and most people will reduce the energy bill.
o Washing Machine
Most clothes today are made to be washed in cold water. And detergents are also made to clean efficiently in cold water. Check the settings on your washing machine and switch the temperature to cold to save on energy.
o Faucets
Many faucets already have aerators in them. If your faucets do not, consider installing them in all the faucets in your house. These screens reduce the amount of water flow but add air to improve the water pressure. Sediment can build up in aerators, so it is important that you clean or change them.
Read more for suggestions about your energy bill and windows.
- Windows
o Treatments
The summer sun feels great outside, but that heat streaming in through your windows will make your house hot. Lowering your shades to filter the sun will cool your house, reduce your energy bill, and decrease the workload on your air conditioner.
o Cleaning
Conversely, in the winter you do not want to block the sun. Open your shades and clean your windows. Dirty windows will filter the sunlight and reduce its effectiveness in warming your home.
- Drafts
o Doors
Heated and conditioned air escapes through doors and windows that are not tightly sealed. Adding weather stripping around doors will help you reduce your energy bills. Caulk to add a stronger seal in any spots that you find gaps. These gaps gradually let your air escape. This adds more work to your HVAC systems, which will wear your systems out sooner.
o Outlets
Another place where your heated and conditioner air slips out is through your outlets and light switches. In the space between your cover plate, you can install a gasket cover.
Read more for information on power strips.
- Phantom Power Usage
Another way to reduce your energy bill and usage is addressing phantom power in your house. Also referred to as vampire power, this power retains the settings on your TV and other devices; it also maintains the clocks on any equipment. You can either unplug all your equipment, which means you may have to reset some settings, or you can install smart power strips. These are designed to turn off electricity to any of your devices not being used.
