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From the laundry room to the kitchen to the garden, there are tons of little ways you can make your home more energy efficient. Read on for 5 home hacks to save you money on your energy bill.
1. Beat the heat… and your energy bill
You’ve probably thought about the crazy amounts of energy your air conditioner sucks up every month. There’s a reason your energy bill creeps up every summer, right? But you likely also assumed that the only alternative to air conditioning in your home was an inescapable sauna. Well, our advice to you is to never underestimate a good ceiling fan. Turning on your ceiling fans to help keep your home cool can save you a ton on your monthly energy bill. Ceiling fans use less than 2 percent of the energy used by air conditioners, so utilize them whenever possible.
2. Opt for better light bulbs
Chances are, you give little to no thought about the light bulbs in your home… that is until you have to replace them. Opting for LED lights over incandescent bulbs can actually make a huge difference when it comes to your time, money and sustainability. LED light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Even if their price tag looks a little higher in the store, you will make that up in no time. LED lights will save you a lot in the long run, not only on bulbs but on energy costs as well. And you won’t have to replace your lights as often. It’s a triple win!
3. Try out a “green” screen
We’re not talking about the one used on the weather channel, but an actual television screen in your home that will make you more green! By switching to an Energy-Star labeled TV, you can save energy and money without doing anything differently. Don’t feel bad about binge-watching your favorite shows or leaving old reruns on on a lazy Sunday because your Energy-Star labeled TV is designed to run more efficiently than traditional television models.
Energy-Star TVs actually use an average of 27 percent less energy than their conventional counterparts, so you definitely won’t regret making this upgrade. It’ll save your wallet some green too.
4. Let your computer catch some Zzz’s
If you didn’t already know, your computer settings include a mode when your computer “goes to sleep” after not being engaged for a selected period of time. This sleep mode does not require you to shut down your computer and allows for you to quickly re-engage your desktop whenever you may please. The really great thing about sleep mode is that it uses a lot less energy than when your computer is turned completely on. According to Energy-Star estimates, this could save you at least $30 per year, so enable your computer’s sleep mode today.
5. Cut your time in the kitchen
We already love microwaves for how quick and easy they make our time in the kitchen, but did you know that microwaves can actually help you save energy in your home too? Next time you plan on heating food, don’t mess around waiting for your oven to preheat when you can just use your microwave. Microwaves actually use only one-third of the energy it would take to use the oven. Even more reason to love them!
