31 Mar 12 Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption at Home
Wondering how to save on your electric bill? There are many ways to reduce energy consumption at home and make your house more efficient. At Energy Saving Pros we are committed to helping homeowners in Northern California save big on their energy bills. Today we’re sharing twelve energy-efficient tips for your home.
Wasted energy is wasted money! Most homeowners in the United States are paying for more energy than they actually use. To find ways to save electricity at home, let’s first take a look at how the average household consumes energy.
Energy consumption in the average household:
- 47% Heating and Cooling
- 14% Water Heater
- 13% Washer and Dryer
- 12% Lighting
- 10% Kitchen Appliances
- 4% Electronics
The biggest users—heat, air conditioning, and hot water—can also present big opportunities for savings. Reducing the amount of energy it takes to power your HVAC, water heater, and appliances will get you started saving right away.
Here are twelve easy ways to save electricity and lower your energy bills:
12 Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption at Home
1. Regular HVAC Maintenance
This keeps your heating and cooling systems operating efficiently. You use them almost every day throughout the year, and they need a little attention from time to time. Cleaning ductwork and replacing filters will go a long way toward improving your home’s energy efficiency.
2. Good Ventilation
Ventilation can also help you reduce your energy consumption. Installing a solar attic fan to improve air flow will cut down your air conditioning costs significantly, and help prevent mildew and mold in the winter.
3. Seal Leaks
Many homes constantly lose heat and air conditioning through leaks in the attic. Air sealing and new insulation will prevent your heat or air conditioning from escaping, and eliminate up to 50% of the dust in your home.
4. Go Solar
Stop paying high prices for electricity and generate your own. Installing solar panels with battery backup means that you can use your own power any time of day. It also means you’ll be able to keep the lights on and the refrigerator running during grid outages.
5. Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
It takes a lot of energy to heat a 60-gallon tank of water and keep it hot. Switching to a tankless water heater will dramatically reduce the amount of energy you consume. If you have a standard water heater, turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth, and between rinses when washing dishes in the sink.
6. Use Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
Save on lighting costs by switching to energy-saving light bulbs. Turn off the lights when you don’t need them, or use smart home technology to put lights on a timer.
7. Make us of Natural Energy and Lighting
Let the sun shine in on winter days—open the curtains and let the sun warm the room. On summer days with cool breezes, open the windows for free air conditioning.
8. Upgrade to Energy-efficient Appliances
Look for Energy Star rated washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and dehumidifiers that are designed to use less electricity.
9. Lower Energy Doing Laundry
To save energy in the laundry room, wash on cold or use the eco-warm setting. The dryer uses even more energy than the washing machine. Hanging clothes to dry will cut energy costs significantly.
10. Keep Your Fridge Full
Cold air escapes every time you open the refrigerator door, and the longer it’s open, the longer it will have to run to get back down to 40º. Keeping your fridge full will help regulate the temperature—it won’t take as much power to cool the fridge again after opening the door if it’s already full of cold food.
11. Reduce Electronic Energy Usage
Gaming systems, televisions, and computers constantly drain energy. Plug electronics into a power strip and turn it off at night to prevent “vampire” electronics from sucking up power.
12. Get Outside More
Shut down your devices and get outside. You’ll naturally use less electricity when you’re outdoors. Go for a walk, read a book or magazine in the back yard, or eat more meals on the patio—you’ll save on lighting and on powering electronics.
Get a Free Quote Today
Looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption at home? Energy Saving Pros can help! With our whole-home solutions for energy savings, you can lower your energy bills and make your home more energy efficient. Locally owned and operated, we service all of northern California, including Sacramento, Rocklin, Roseville, and the East Bay Area. Call 916-259-2501 to get a quote today!
Photo by Vera Cho on Unsplash used under Creative Commons license for commercial use 3/19/2021.