Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Energy at Home

The energy consumption of your household can be reduced in many different ways. This may involve extensive home improvements or making simple adjustments to your living habits. Implementation of these simple measures will not only save money on your energy bill but also protect the environment and its resources. Mentioned below are the ten most common guidelines you can begin immediately to accomplish this objective.

Making simple changes in lifestyle: Your efforts to become more energy-efficient can start with making simple lifestyle-related changes, such as switching off the lights and other electrical appliances when they are not required. Consider performing some of the household tasks on your own instead of using appliances that are energy-intensive. Behavioral adjustments that can provide you maximum savings are limited use of the air conditioner in the summer and reducing the thermostat setting during the winter.

Light bulb replacement: An excessive amount of energy is consumed by traditional incandescent bulbs. There are now available several energy-efficient replacement options such as light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and halogen incandescent bulbs. These bulbs last much longer and can provide you between 25% and 80%  in energy savings.

Smart power strips: One of the major sources of domestic energy waste is the electricity spent by different electronic devices while turning them off or putting them on standby mode. Known as phantom load, this accounts for almost 75% of the energy consumed on household electronics. The use of smart power strips is the best possible alternative to eliminate this wastage.

Programmable or smart thermostat: These advanced thermostats are capable of automatically reducing or turning off cooling or heating when the occupants are away or asleep. Installation of a programmable thermostat will help eliminate energy wastage without sacrificing user comfort or making upgrades to the existing HVAC unit.

Energy efficient appliances: Our domestic appliances account for almost 13% of our total energy consumption.  This is why it makes sense to purchase energy-efficient appliances that are more expensive but can reduce your operating expenses by 9-25% compared to the traditional models. While purchasing these appliances, please opt for the ones with the ENERGY STAR label.

Water heating expenses: This is a major contributor to any household’s total energy consumption. In addition to using energy-efficient water heaters, there a few more things you can do to reduce this consumption.

• Reduce the use of hot water, whenever possible
• Turn the thermostat down.
• Insulate the water heater and the pipes.
• Switch providers. A new water or a new gas supplier can drastically cut costs.

Energy-efficient windows: Another significant source of energy waste is the windows, accounting for 10%-25% of a household’s heating bill. Heat loss through the windows can be minimized by installing double-pane windows instead of single pane ones. If you live in a colder region, consider installing gas-filled windows for lower heating expenses. Contact a reputed window replacement company to discuss different energy-efficient options.

HVAC system upgrades: HVAC systems are composed of air conditioning, ventilation, and heating equipment. All these factors have a significant impact on the overall energy efficiency of a home. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR certified HVAC system can provide an excellent saving on all three components.

Home Weatherizing: This refers to sealing all the air cracks and leaks around a home, and is another viable option for reducing energy expenses. Doors, windows, and vents are some common areas where leaks are found. The leakages between two stationary objects can be sealed by applying the caulk. On the other hand, weatherstripping is a good option for sealing the cracks between two moving objects.

Home Insulation: Proper insulation of the home will help keep the heat out during summer and retain heat during winter. Areas of the home where you should consider insulation are floors, walls, attic, crawlspace, and basement.

We completely understand how important it is for our senior citizens to maximize their savings. The tips shared in this article can free-up a significant amount of money from your energy bills that can be used elsewhere.