If you’re looking for a way to save money while helping the environment, reducing your energy consumption in your home or business can be an excellent place to start. There are many things that you can do to cut down on energy use, and some of these methods don’t require a lot of time, money or extra equipment. Here are a few smart solutions for cutting down your energy waste.
1. Be Wise with Home Appliance Usage
Using household appliances in the most effective ways that require the least amount of energy possible can make a big difference. Setting your clothes washer to run on warm or cold water instead of hot may save you up to 500 pounds of CO2 output each year, which will greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Your dishwasher should only be turned on when it’s completely full so that you won’t have to go through as many wash cycles. Hanging clothes to air dry more often instead of using your dryer will also be beneficial.
You can even replace your appliances with energy-efficient ones that are designed to run efficiently without having to use as much power. It’s also advisable to not leave phones and laptop computers plugged in after they’ve been charged completely.
2. Improve Insulation
The right insulation materials can keep temperatures inside your home or workplace regulated better and reduce energy waste. If you have old insulation material that’s no longer up to standard, you can replace it with one of several high-quality options.
Cellulose insulation can work well if you live or work in an older building. Hemp and spray insulation are modern options that can keep energy from escaping and being wasted. You can even try using wool material to keep warmth inside your building during the winter and prevent overheating in your interior during the summer.
3. Purchase Electricity from a Supplier
You can purchase regulated electricity at an approved rate from a supplier to try to save both energy and money. If you live or work in Alberta, Canada, you can look for a supplier that will purchase electricity directly on your behalf and adheres to the approved regulated electricity rates in Alberta. Getting your electricity this way can also save you from having to deal with major price fluctuations since most service plans come with fixed rates.
4. Use Different Light Bulbs
If you have incandescent light bulbs in your home or business, you can change them to LED or compact fluorescent lights to save money. Incandescent bulbs are known to require more energy and increase heat output, which can be highly wasteful.
LED and compact fluorescent bulbs may use up to 75 percent less energy and can still provide ample light to any room in a home or business. Some of these energy-efficient bulbs are also made to last longer so that you won’t have to constantly change burnt-out bulbs.
5. Seal Openings
Any cracks, gaps, holes or other openings around your door or window frames could be letting out energy. Sealing these openings with new caulking or expanding foam material can prevent energy from being wasted.
Any openings that you find in walls or ceilings should also be sealed promptly to keep in all your energy. Other places to look for openings that should be sealed include the areas around your electrical outlets, wires and pipes.
6. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Even though the initial cost may seem expensive, swapping out your old thermostat for a programmable model can save you a lot of money over the long run while slashing your energy use dramatically. You can program the thermostat to emit hot or cold air less often when people aren’t home or are asleep.
A programmable thermostat will even let you set the exact frequency of when you want your heater and air conditioner to come on during the winter and summer. If you plan to leave your building vacant for a while, your thermostat can be programmed to turn on again just before you come back. It’s even possible to find programmable thermostats on the market that can be controlled with a computer or mobile phone.
Bottom Line
You won’t have to change your way of living or working completely just to save energy. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to reduce energy waste significantly while benefiting the planet.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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