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Heating and cooling homes accounts for a large amount of the energy used worldwide. It’s easy to see why keeping your thermostat under control is one of the best power-saving tips.
In the summer, use sun- and heat-blocking curtains and blinds, and keep them closed at the sunniest times of day. In the winter, use thermal curtains that help keep heat inside.
Cook with your grill, air fryer, microwave, or slow cooker instead of the oven to keep your home cooler.
When it’s hotter outside than inside, set window fans to “exhaust” to keep air circulating without blowing hot air into the room.
When it’s cooler outside than inside, open windows and use fans to blow the cool air into the room.
In the summer, set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and higher (about 85 degrees) when you’re not home. In the winter, set it at 68 degrees when you’re home.
Layer up in the winter. It’s a tried-and-true energy-saving tip because it works!
Check your doors and windows for leaks and gaps, and use caulk or weather stripping to fill them in.
If you can’t remove them, cover room air conditioners in the winter with a properly fitted cover to keep heat from escaping through its vents.
Home appliances waste almost as much energy as cooling and heating. While the amount of energy your appliances use will vary, the IEA says that appliance energy consumption grew by nearly 4% in 2021. Here’s how to keep yours to a minimum.
Unplug your electronics and appliances when they’re not in use. If you only turn them off using the switch, they can still use small amounts of power.
Keep your refrigerator coils clean, and only fill the fridge about 3/4 of the way. Dirty coils and too much food make your refrigerator work harder to stay cool, using more energy.
Don’t let ice build up in your freezer. Like your fridge, this makes it work harder to stay cool and saps energy.
Maintain your air conditioner – check and change your filters, and have it professionally maintained if you notice it’s struggling.
Wash bigger loads of laundry, less frequently. Use a cold wash cycle so you don’t use electricity to heat the water. Then use the highest spin speed to remove the water thoroughly so the clothes dry faster.
Dry one large load of laundry instead of several smaller ones, and clean your lint trap after every load. If air can’t circulate, your dryer will need to work harder to dry.
Implemented all the ways to conserve energy we’ve suggested so far? Your home could still have sneaky power thieves sapping your energy and costing you money.
Turn off lights, appliances, and electronics like the TV, radios, and computers when you leave a room.
Be sure you shutdown your computer, instead of putting it in “sleep” mode, which can still use energy.
Lower the brightness on your computer and get a more powerful video card, which will use less energy to run your programs.
Lower the brightness on your TV, too, and check if it has energy-saving features. Many smart TVs have an eco-mode.
Don’t charge your phone overnight: Most phones only need a few hours to charge, and the extra hours waste energy.
Unplug chargers completely when a device is done charging to stop electricity from flowing.
Replace your indoor light bulbs with efficient LEDs. Outdoors, use solar-powered lights and put them on timers or motion sensors.
Use a “jacket” to insulate your hot water heater. When it stays warmer, it will need less energy to heat up the water.
Americans are proving that they care about having eco-friendly homes: In a report from the National Association of Realtors, 48% of realtors said homebuyers were interested in sustainability. If you’re not in the market for a new home, you can still save energy by making some upgrades.
Windows: Energy-efficient windows are double or triple-glazed, which can help keep heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer.
Doors: If you have older doors, replace any that face outside with newer, insulated models.
Water heater: Modern water heaters are more energy-efficient, especially combination, or combi heaters.
Appliances: Buy the smallest size appliance you need to get the job done, and make sure it’s ENERGY STAR certified.
Solar: Home solar power, also called customer-sited solar, continues to rise in popularity, and it’s easier than ever to install a quality, energy-saving system.
There’s more good news for solar: If you live in California, it’s one home upgrade that could cost you nothing up front when you work with a partner like PoweredUp Network. Our program provides a complete and customized solar power and battery storage system, including installation and maintenance at no cost to you. You only pay for the power you generate under the terms of the agreement. Click below to get started.
