An energy-efficient home uses less electricity, saves money and decreases carbon dioxide emissions while simultaneously decreasing fossil fuel usage
From upgrading lightbulbs with LEDs to sealing and insulating your home, there are plenty of energy-saving techniques that you can implement at little or no cost. Start making small changes now to see your savings grow over time.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats may cost more upfront, but their long-term savings compensate for their upfront price tag. By automatically reducing temperature when you’re away or asleep and gradually ramping it back up when you return, the Department of Energy has estimated that these minor adjustments can save homeowners an average of 10% yearly on heating and cooling costs.
Programmable thermostats are also a great way to cut energy costs when your home is unoccupied—plus, time-of-use rates enable you to take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours! Other energy-saving hacks include using your oven as an efficient heat source while cooking or air drying towels rather than placing them in a dryer.
Replace old light bulbs with LEDs
Switching from incandescent bulbs to LEDs could save up to 80% on lighting costs while simultaneously improving the quality of light in your home. Energy-efficient bulbs could save up to 80% in lighting costs by cutting energy use by half, lasting ten times longer, and improving illumination quality.
Energy-efficient light bulbs are more environmentally friendly than their conventional counterparts. They contain fewer chemicals and emit lower levels of heat, which helps minimise energy use in your home.
Raising energy efficiency can be one of the most accessible and impactful steps to lower electricity costs and protect the environment. Switching out lightbulbs for LEDs, washing clothes in cold water, and air sealing your home are all simple ways you can change how energy is consumed in your home.
Install low-flow plumbing fixtures.
This energy-saving hack is one of the easiest and quickest ways to lower water usage in commercial buildings. Not only does it save freshwater resources and ease the strain on local water supplies, but it also significantly decreases energy requirements associated with heating the water.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures are designed to reduce water consumption without compromising pressure or flow. By switching out standard faucets, showerheads, and toilets for these water-saving models, you can save gallons each year. By investing in these efficient alternatives, you could save thousands!
Heating water requires considerable energy; therefore, reducing how much of it you use helps cut back on your electricity bill as well. For more information about installing low-flow plumbing fixtures in your Granite Bay home, contact a professional plumber; they can guide your decision based on budget and maintenance needs.
Turn off appliances when not in use.
Numerous appliances and electronics still use power when turned off – this is known as standby power consumption, and it can consume as much as 10% of your electric bill, so it is crucial to unplug them when not in use.
An average household has multiple energy-consuming items, such as laptops, TVs, kitchen appliances, alarm clocks, and phone and tablet chargers. When plugged in, all these devices consume ambient electricity—an amount equal to 10% of an average family home’s annual energy bill.
Create a habit of unplugging devices when they’re not in use and get your children involved – it’s an enjoyable way to save money and protect the environment! A handheld electricity monitor can also show which items continue to draw power even after being shut off; this information will help determine which items need unplugging first.
Turn off TVs and computers.
Switching off appliances that are no longer being used is one of the simplest ways to reduce energy costs. Marie Kondo advises, ‘If it doesn’t bring you joy, dispose of it.’
Staying plugged in all the time wastes an enormous amount of energy—the electricity wasted by such devices, known as “phantom power,” is equal to watching four movies at the cinema!
To help prevent this, it is a good idea to unplug electronics when they aren’t being used, avoid screen savers, and enable low-power “sleep” modes on devices when not needed. This will not only lower your electricity bill but extend their lives and reduce carbon emissions associated with being left plugged in and not used.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Turning off lights when leaving a room can help conserve energy and lower electricity rates. The amount you save will depend on the bulb used, its length, and your electricity rates.
Habits don’t form by themselves – they require constant reminders. BC Hydro advises placing Post-it notes next to light switches as an extra push towards energy savings.
Turning off lights helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions – one of the primary drivers of climate change – making this an essential environmental responsibility move. Although leaving lights on might seem innocuous enough, when millions do it, it adds up quickly – like taking something from a national park! Even small actions add up!
Turn off mobile phones.
Mobile phones can be energy hogs, draining your battery quickly. Furthermore, being constantly connected and click-happy can harm mental health and work efficiency —switch it off now to focus on work instead!
Modern smartphones typically include an automatic battery-saver mode that automatically reduces network use and other resources when idle. Although it’s slightly more restrictive than normal mode, the battery saver can extend battery life up to twice.
Turning off push notifications is an effective and straightforward way to reduce mobile phone electricity usage. Unwanted emails, Facebook updates, and game alerts keep your phone awake while sipping electricity. Identifying apps that consume the most electricity can also help. As soon as they stop running faster, your device should go to sleep quicker when not being used. You could then adjust its settings to turn off more rapidly when unnecessary.
Use glass and ceramic dishes in the oven.
Opting for glass and ceramic dishes over metal pans when baking in the oven can help preserve heat more efficiently. You won’t need to preheat your oven beforehand, and they are easy to store in the fridge for later reheating meals.
Many recipes require oven preheating, which wastes much electricity and provides little benefit. Cooking at lower temperatures instead will significantly reduce energy costs.
Make sure you unplug appliances that aren’t being used—even when turned off, they still draw electricity, which can cost you up to $100 annually! Unplugging during peak hours may help, too. All these steps will go a long way toward lowering energy bills and conserving resources. Take these small steps now to start saving both money and energy in no time!
Fill the sink with hot water before shaving.
With energy costs rising globally, we all require more innovative ways to save. Britain’s top cleanfluencers have shared some effective energy-saving hacks: turning down washing temperature, cleaning fridge coils and unplugging devices.
Be energy-wise when shaving to cut electricity consumption by filling your sink with hot water before shaving. This will allow your razor to work more efficiently while eliminating the need for hot water to rinse off blades afterwards. A sink drain insert to collect hair and jewellery could prevent clogs in bathroom drains.
Remember to unplug kitchen appliances such as your electric kettle and toaster when not in use to reduce peak power usage. At the same time, OUC offers an online Usage Dashboard to monitor how much energy is consumed at any given moment in your home.
Use a window instead of the oven.
An energy-efficient home can reduce unnecessary electricity and heating consumption, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and demands on non-renewable resources. Furthermore, energy-efficient improvements also increase property values when selling.
Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective strategies for addressing climate change, improving air quality, and meeting families’ energy costs. Unfortunately, however, many are uncertain where to begin when it comes to saving energy.
Simple changes can go a long way toward decreasing energy use. Switching from a full-sized oven to a toaster oven is more energy efficient; using ceramic and glass dishes instead of metal pans enables lower-temperature cooking and will save on electricity bills. Another easy change: Keep both fridge and freezer full—empty spaces waste energy!
