Have you ever cringed when you opened your winter utility bill? Flicking on a light switch or taking a long, hot shower during colder days and nights can put you more out of pocket. But that is not all. There are so many other activities that lead to high energy consumption during cold months.
With a few easy tips, you can use less electricity at home this winter and save yourself money and help the planet at the same time. First, you will need to identify the power eaters, the points where most of the energy goes. Then find ways to reduce this energy consumption.
Tips for Better Energy Consumption This Winter
Take Stock of Your Power Eaters
Start by taking stock of your energy use at home. List your appliances, noting the wattage of each and how often you use them daily or weekly. Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, air fryers and heaters can be real electricity eaters. Another appliance that can drag up energy consumption is your heating and cooling systems, especially if they are not maintained properly. Now could be a great time to update your dated appliances with more energy-efficient ones. These will repay the initial cost with savings on your utility bills.
Use an Electrical Power Strip
While working on the appliance list, check how many you leave plugged in. Even when not in use, they can still consume electricity, but disconnecting all can be challenging. A smart power strip reduces idle energy use. It’s also great to combine it with a surge protector in case lightning strikes overload the power grid.
Use the Right Light Bulbs
Replace all incandescent bulbs with LED ones and watch your power bill drop like a stone. LEDs use about 90% less power than incandescents. They can be used inside and outside the house to keep the power bills low.
Utilize Your Curtains and Natural Light
Close the curtains on frigid days to prevent heat loss through thin windows. Keep them closed at night, and your home will stay warmer for longer. When a sunny day rolls by, open the curtains to let warm sunlight in. This way, you prevent heat loss and utilize natural light during the day.
Give Doors and Windows Some Love
Cold air can seep into your home through doors and windows that don’t close well, so seal their edges with padded window tape. Check doors and adjust hinges to fit precisely in the doorframe, reducing drafts. Remember, these tasks should be completed before winter rolls.
Turn Down the Thermostat
It’s so easy to crank up the heater for a warm and toasty room at night, but the resulting bill will give you the shivers. Set the thermostat several degrees lower, haul out some fluffy blankets, and enjoy a plush sweater to help warm your body and soul. If you have a smart thermostat, set it to increase the temperature 30 minutes before you come home from work or errands. Empty rooms are happy to be cold.
Adjust Your Laundry Practices
Increase your laundry load size to help reduce your overall wash time. When busy washing one load, air-dry newly clean clothes in sunny spots in your home. Air-drying them inside helps replace humidity in the air, fighting off dryness that makes breathing hard.
Tune Up Your Fridge
In winter, your fridge loses less cold when opened. Keep it below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, but you can raise it to 42 or 43 degrees F when the weather gets chillier. Plan when you open the refrigerator door to reduce the loss of cold air, which means its motor works less.
Close Doors
In large homes, closing the doors to rooms that aren’t in use can help reduce your overall heating bill. Program your smart home to minimize heat in unused spaces. By condoning off lesser-used areas, you prevent heat loss and your heating systems from overworking.
Winterize Your Attic and Blanket Your Water Heater
If your roof’s insulation is a bit thin, your house will lose the most heat in the attic. Upgrade the insulation before winter to cut heat loss and keep your rooms toasty. Water heaters work extra hard in winter, and heat loss increases power costs. Add insulation or a geyser blanket to your water heater to help reduce heat loss through the appliance’s body and pipes.
Turn the Fan On — Backwards
Most wouldn’t think of turning the ceiling fan on during the cold season — and if you turn it on as normal, you’ll only get chilly. However, most models should have a switch at the base that makes them turn the other way. Doing so moves the heat that gathers near the ceiling downward, making your heating system more efficient.
Why You Need an Energy-Friendly Home
When your budget is tighter than a shoestring, you want to save every penny you can, so it’s a good idea to be more thrifty with your energy use. The rising cost of living means spending money you don’t have on power consumption, which makes little sense. But with a few easy changes to your daily habits and effective workarounds, you’ll be surprised by how much you can save.
Light and Warm Space Using Less Power
Your home is where you want to feel comfortable and warm in winter. However, high utility bills can become a serious problem. Reflect on your home’s electricity usage to cut waste and boost your power-saving habits for a warmer budget this winter. If you are looking to use less energy at home this winter, here are 11 easy tips that’ll save money on power bills. Which of these ways to use energy better will you try today?