Saving on electricity has a double purpose: to help stop global warming and avoid wasting money. Walk around the rooms in your home and office and unplug all electronic devices and appliances when you're not using them. Isolating your home and changing your consumer habits are also two actions that will allow you to use electricity more wisely. Here is a complete guide to efficient energy use.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Lighting
Step 1. Open the windows and let the sunlight in
Natural light should be used as much as possible throughout the day to reduce the use of artificial light. Follow this advice both at home and in the office. By the way, sunlight gives you more energy and makes you feel better.
- Arrange your workspace so that natural light covers your desk. Keep artificial lights turned off as much as possible. When you need a little extra light, use a low-power desk lamp.
- Buy light-colored curtains that provide privacy but also allow light to spread.
Step 2. Change the bulbs
Replace incandescent ones with compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED ones. CFL and LED bulbs are much more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and last longer.
- CFL bulbs were the first alternative to incandescent bulbs and use approximately ¼ of the energy of traditional bulbs. As they contain traces of mercury, they must be properly disposed of when they burn.
- LED bulbs have appeared on the market more recently. They cost more than CFLs, but they last longer and contain no mercury.
Step 3. Turn off the lights:
this is the simplest trick to save on electricity. And it really works. Avoid having lights on in empty rooms. Make it a habit to turn off the light every time you leave a room.
- If you're determined to save money, try not to turn on the lights in more than two rooms at night. Convince your family to get together in the same room instead of occupying several at the same time.
- To maximize savings, use candles more often. This lighting system is effective, romantic and relaxing. Try to turn them on a couple of times a week. Place them in safe places, especially if you have children.
Method 2 of 4: Devices
Step 1. Unplug appliances from the electrical outlet when not in use:
they consume energy even when turned off. Don't neglect smaller ones, like the coffee machine.
- Turn off your computer at the end of the day: it consumes a lot of energy.
- Do not leave the TV plug in the electrical socket all the time. It seems inconvenient to have to unplug it every time you turn it off, but then it will come naturally to you, especially if you think about what you will save for yourself and the environment.
- Unplug the audio system and speakers. These items consume more energy than you think even if they are not being used.
- Don't forget the lower devices: chargers, kitchen appliances, hair dryers …
Step 2. Replace old appliances with new models designed to conserve energy, reduce utility bills and mitigate your harmful environmental footprint
Try to replace the old fridge, electric oven, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer.
- Check the energy consumption class of your new appliances, so you know how much electricity they need. Class A ones are more expensive than the others, but then you will pay off the cost by paying less expensive bills.
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If you can't replace appliances, you can still change your usage routine to waste less power.
- Fully charge the dishwasher before using it.
- Do not open the oven when it is on, as this will dissipate the heat and the appliance will use more energy to produce more.
- Don't leave the refrigerator door open while deciding what to eat. Open and close it as fast as possible. You should also check its sealed parts and replace the worn out ones.
- Make the washing machine full load.
Save Electricity Step 6 Step 3. Use less appliances
Certainly some activities take more time if done by hand, but remember that you will save. Also, you can ask the rest of the family for help with housework.
- Most people wash their clothes more than necessary. Try reducing the number of washing machines per week.
- Hang out your clothes outside instead of using the tumble dryer.
- Wash the dishes by hand (avoid wasting water).
- Use the oven once a week. Take the opportunity to prepare in one session what you will eat in the days to come. You will avoid having to heat it up several times.
- Get rid of unnecessary little devices, like electric air fresheners. Open the window or use alternative versions that don't require electricity!
Method 3 of 4: Heating and Cooling
Save Electricity Step 7 Step 1. Isolate the house
Make sure doors and windows are well sealed to prevent drafts from entering. This way, you won't have any leaks after turning on the air conditioning in the summer and the radiators in the winter.
- Call a business to have your property inspected. It will be necessary to check the attic, the cavities under the floor, the foundations, the walls and the ceiling.
- Seal the doors, windows and the space around the air conditioning. You can also line the windows with plastic in the winter.
Save Electricity Step 8 Step 2. Use less hot water
Heating water takes a lot of energy. You don't have to wash yourself with cold water, but use less or prefer lukewarm water.
- Make sure the water heater is insulated so you don't have too much heat loss.
- You could buy a water heater without the continuously burning pilot flame.
- Prefer the shower to the bathroom: you will waste less water.
Save Electricity Step 9 Step 3. Use the air conditioning less frequently
Sometimes it's unavoidable, but it can't stay on from late spring to late summer.
Save Electricity Step 10 Step 4. Do not overheat the house in winter:
the temperature should be pleasant, but it shouldn't be hot. If you are cold, put on a sweater.
Method 4 of 4: Sources of Renewable Energy
Save Electricity Step 11 Step 1. Use renewable energy, such as solar energy
Contact the right company - many are small, so you'll need to do some research. The switch may be expensive at first, but then you'll save money.
