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Saving electricity at home leads to personal financial benefits and positive environmental impacts. Reducing energy usage causes a smaller carbon footprint, decreased energy bills, and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles. By implementing a few practical habits to your routines and investing in energy-efficient solutions, households can save significant electricity, reduce electric bills, and help protect the planet.
Explore various strategies to help minimise your electricity consumption, benefiting the planet and your wallet.
Seal Doors and Windows
One of the best ways to save electricity at home is by ensuring your doors and windows are properly sealed, especially in older homes. By doing this, you can prevent air from escaping and entering your home, which means you will have less need for heating or cooling systems. While it will cost you to hire someone to draft-proof your windows and doors or purchase the materials to do it yourself, this will ultimately lead to a decrease in your overall electricity usage, thus saving you money.
Turn Off Lights and Electronics
The average house uses a lot of energy, mostly from lighting and electronic devices. One of the easiest ways to save electricity at home is by being mindful and turning off lights and electronics when you’re not using them. It’s a common misconception that leaving lights on uses less energy than repeatedly turning them on and off, but this is false. The same goes for electronics – even if it’s in standby mode, it’s still using electricity.
Get into the habit of turning off lights and unplugging electronics when they’re not in use – especially when you’re away from home – and watch your energy bills fall.
Take Shorter (or Cold) Showers
Not only is taking shorter showers better for the environment, but it’s also a great way to save electricity at home. You may not realise it, but heating your water uses significant energy. Reducing your shower time by just a few minutes can decrease your overall energy consumption and save on your electricity bill. If you’re feeling extra motivated, consider taking cold showers – this saves electricity and has numerous health benefits, such as improving circulation and boosting your immune system.
Run a Full Dishwasher and Laundry Load
Ensure you’re running full loads of dishes and laundry. Running a half-empty dishwasher or washing machine still uses the same amount of water, heat, and energy as a full load, so take advantage of that space and save energy by only running them when at capacity. If you don’t have enough dishes or clothes to fill up the entire machine, consider handwashing or waiting until you have a full load to do the laundry or run the dishwasher.
Group items together, like white clothes with white towels, to fill up a load if you don’t have enough, and rinse your dishes thoroughly so they don’t begin to smell if waiting to run the dishwasher.
(Source: Wendelin Jacober, Pexels)
Add Extra Insulation
Another way to save electricity at home is by adding extra insulation to your walls and attic to help keep heat inside during the colder months, reducing the need for constant heating and saving you money on your electricity bill. Once your home is warm, you can keep that warm air in and stay nice and cosy without wasting energy. If you need clarification on how much insulation you have or if it’s up to standard, consider hiring a professional to inspect and add more if necessary.
Upgrade to LED Lights
Another great way to save electricity at home is by switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to LED light bulbs. Although they may cost more initially, LED light bulbs last significantly longer and use less energy than their incandescent counterparts. LED light bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs while using up to 80% less energy. LED lights also look stylish; once installed, you’ll forget you even made the change.
(Source: Artem Podrez, Pexels)
Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you’re looking for new appliances, filter your shopping to consider energy-efficient models, typically labelled with an “Energy Star” logo. You can even use Energy Star’s directory of energy-efficient products to start your search and ensure you’re on the right track. While these appliances may initially be more expensive, the savings in energy costs over time will compensate for the initial outlay. You’ll also be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.
Mind Your Thermostat
Another one of the best ways to save electricity at home is by watching your thermostat. Try setting your thermostat slightly lower during the colder months and wear warmer clothes instead. Enjoy the opportunity to bundle up beneath your favourite blankets or snuggle with your partner for warmth.
In the summer, keep your thermostat just 1-2 degrees warmer than usual. You won’t notice a big difference, but it can significantly impact your energy bill. If you have a programmable thermostat, use it and set it to a lower temperature when you’re out of the house or sleeping.
Cook Mindfully
Cooking can also use a significant amount of energy, so it’s essential to do it mindfully to save on your electricity bill. Keep the oven door closed to retain heat and cook food faster. You should only boil as much water as necessary, and consider using smaller appliances like toaster ovens or slow cookers instead of the full-sized oven.
When using the stovetop, match the pan size to the heating element and use lids on pots and pans to trap heat. These simple and often overlooked adjustments can significantly affect your energy usage.
Consider Solar Energy Solutions
If you’re looking to make a more significant investment in saving electricity at home, consider installing solar energy solutions like solar generators or solar panels. You can couple these with a portable power station and inverter, such as the EcoFlow PowerStream MicroInverter 800W, to provide solar energy day and night and help reduce your electricity bill and reliance on the national grid.
While the initial cost may be high, it’s a long-term investment that can save you hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars over time with zero energy wasted. Plus, they work with all EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, so you can mix and match as needed to ensure you always have access to renewable solar energy.
Invest in Smart Home Systems
Investing in a smart home system can also help you save electricity at home. These systems allow you to remotely control electronics such as lights, thermostats, and other appliances through your smartphone or voice commands, quickly turning off anything you accidentally left on.
You can also set schedules for when certain appliances or lights should turn on or off, allowing you to save energy without even thinking about it. These systems often come with energy monitoring capabilities, so you can track and adjust your usage as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use less electricity in your house in several ways, from sealing doors and windows and adding insulation to investing in energy-efficient appliances, smart home systems, and LED lightbulbs. Arguably, the best way is by using solar energy solutions to expand access to renewable, free solar energy.
To reduce the electricity you use at home, turn off lights, unplug electronics when not in use, and adjust the thermostat when you’re not home. Try to cook more mindfully, take shorter showers, and invest in LED lightbulbs, smart home systems, Energy Star appliances, and solar power solutions.
Final Thoughts
Saving electricity at home benefits your wallet and helps create a more sustainable environment for everyone. By incorporating the above changes and investing in energy-efficient solutions such as the EcoFlow PowerStream Microinverter, you can significantly impact your energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint. So why wait? Start implementing these tips today and see how they affect electricity use.