Energy costs make up a considerable portion of the average household budget, costing homeowners thousands of dollars annually. Slashing your energy usage could save you a considerable amount of money over the course of the year without dramatically affecting your comfort or lifestyle. Here are 33 of the best steps to take for saving energy and making your home more energy efficient.
Saving Energy With Technology
— Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your temperature during the day.
— Keep the thermostat temperature close to the outside temperature to increase comfort and reduce energy use.
— Use motion-detector lights for outdoor lighting so the lights are not running constantly.
— Use timers to turn lights on in the morning and off during the day.
— Plug electronics into a power strip so you can turn the strip off when the devices are not in use.
— Make your next computer a laptop, which uses less energy than desktop computers.
— Set your computer to sleep or hibernate mode instead of using a screen saver during periods of inactivity.
— Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use to prevent them from drawing power continuously.
Saving Energy With Home Décor
— Use shades, blinds and drapes to block the sun from overheating your home.
— Use light-colored curtains to let light illuminate a room while blocking some of the sun’s rays.
— Use light-colored paint to reflect heat and light-colored lamp shades to let more light into a room.
— Use ceiling fans to cool rooms for less energy. Most ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light bulb and can make you feel three to four degrees cooler.
— Cover all bare floors with carpeting or rugs for heat retention and comfort.
Saving Energy With Repairs And Maintenance
— Tune up your AC annually to keep the system running efficiently.
— Change or clean your AC’s air filters at least once a month to have it running at peak performance
— Repair leaky ducts to reduce heating and cooling costs.
— Install attic insulation rated R-30 and seal any attic leaks.
— Insulate your walls with foam insulation keep outside air from seeping through your walls.
— Check for household air leaks around fireplace dampers, doors and windows.
— Install low-flow faucets, toilet tanks and showerheads to reduce water use.
— Check your hot water pipes for leaks and repair them quickly to save water.
— Insulate the first six feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
Saving Money With Appliances
— Use the economy mode on your dishwasher to use less water and electricity.
— Set your refrigerator temperature between 30 and 42°F for maximum efficiency.
— Dust your fridge when you dust around the house to clean it off and keep it working properly.
— A full freezer uses less energy than an empty one. Fill empty space with gallon containers of water, which could be very helpful if you lose power for a long period of time.
— Use microwaves and toaster ovens to cook or warm leftovers.
— Separate wash loads into light and heavy fabrics for the shortest drying times.
— Clean the dryer lint filter before every load to keep your dryer running properly.
— Vent your dryer outside to prevent it from heating up your home and causing your air conditioner to work harder.
Saving Energy Outdoors
— Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs to block the sun on the sunny side of the home.
— Use outdoor CFL bulbs for outdoor lighting, which can last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs.
— Apply reflective coating to your roof to decrease the amount of heat coming into your home and lessen the work of your AC unit.