Energy efficiency goes a long way toward lowering your utility bills. Purchasing and operating energy-efficient appliances and electronics, reducing “vampire loads” by unplugging devices and using smart power strips (and turning them off between uses), and installing programmable thermostats can cut your utility costs dramatically.
Other changes, such as replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or a ductless air conditioning system, are more drastic and expensive. But even the most modest changes can make a difference.
Turn Off the Lights and Appliances When You're Not Home
Turning off the lights and appliances when you're not home is one of the simplest ways to save energy. It also helps reduce electricity generation, which contributes to climate change.
Unplugging small devices that draw electricity even when turned off is another great way to lower energy bills. This includes computers, coffee makers, and anything with a charger.
This is called phantom consumption and accounts for up to 10% of household energy use. Unplugging these devices, or plugging them into a smart power strip that can be switched off, is an easy way to reduce waste.
Turn Off the Refrigerator When You're Not Using It
It's no secret that utilities have gotten expensive, but there are some easy ways to reduce energy bill. These simple tips can save you hundreds of dollars every year.
Switching off the refrigerator is a no-brainer: remove all food items and unplug the appliance. But if you're going away for a week or even a month, consider storing food in your friend's or family member's fridge or hiring someone to check on it periodically. That way, your refrigerator won't have to work so hard to stay cold.
Turn Off the TV and Other Electronics When You're Not Watching
Many electronic devices suck power even when they're “turned off.” These energy vampires include stereo equipment, TVs, cable boxes, and video game consoles.
It's only sometimes practical to unplug every box and device in your home at night but try to do it for the boxes you use most often. You can also put them on a smart power strip that shuts everything down with one button at the end of the day.
Turn Off the Heat When You're Not Home
Whether or not it makes sense to turn off the heat when you're not home depends on your system, how cold it gets outside, and the insulation in your home. However, lowering your thermostat below 55 degrees in winter is never a good idea since this could cause your pipes to freeze or burst.
Instead, consider turning your thermostat down at night before you sleep and allowing it to rise about an hour before you wake up. This is the most effective way to save energy on a day-to-day basis.
Turn Off the Water Heater When You're Not Using It
Many people turn off their water heater while on vacation, hoping to save a bit on their gas or electric bill while away. However, there are better things to do.
Instead, lower the temperature setting on your water heater to 120 degrees. This will still be plenty hot for showers and washing clothes. Also, instead of shutting off the water heater altogether, try connecting a garden hose to the drain valve on the bottom of the tank and running it to a drain or bucket.
Turn Off the Air Conditioner When You're Not Home
Many people turn off their air conditioners when they're going away on vacation, thinking it will save energy. However, there may be better ideas than this.
Turning off the AC while you're gone can cause your house to become uncomfortably hot when you return. It can also lead to higher indoor humidity levels, contributing to mold and insect infestations.
Turn Off the Washing Machine When You're Not Using It
Most of your washing machine's energy use comes from heating the water. So, you'll cut your bills substantially if you can do laundry with cold water.
It's also smart to avoid doing laundry during your utility company's “peak hours,” when electricity rates are highest. This can save money and help protect the environment. It's also good to turn off the washing machine's water valve when not using it. This prevents a leak that could damage your home or cause a flood.
Turn Off the Dishwasher When You're Not Using It
Dishwashers consume a significant amount of energy, especially during the dry cycle. To save money, use your dishwasher during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower.
If your dishwasher stops working during a cycle, the first thing to do is check to see if it's plugged in. You can usually find the outlet underneath the sink.
If it's plugged in and the dishwasher is still not running, you might have a clog in the supply line. Turn off the dishwasher and drain the water into a bucket.