There are a million ways to save energy at home, but every single one of them can only be successful if done and followed the right way. There are also those who you think are way too small that you no longer think they matter at all. And finally, there are those energy saving ways that you’re not even aware of. This article is about those ways.
In the website Energy.gov, there’s a very informative blog with the title “Top 11 Things You Didn’t Know About Saving Energy at Home: Summer Edition,” where several things are discussed on how you might be able to save energy during the summer. And surprisingly, a lot of are even new to us!
Placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary because the thermostat senses heat from the appliances. Set them apart and save energy.
Lighting makes up about 10 percent of home energy costs. Save up to 75 percent of that energy by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They also last longer, saving money on replacements.
Running your air conditioning at 78°F instead of 72°F can save between 6 and 18 percent on your cooling bill. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be, so set your thermostat as high as possible during the summer months.
Well-planned landscaping isn’t just for aesthetics — properly placed trees around the house can save between $100 and $250 annually.
On average, households lose about 20 percent of their heated and cooled air through the duct system to the outside. To avoid wasting energy, have your ducts inspected to ensure they’re sealed properly and insulated if necessary.
If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. Just make sure to turn it off when you leave the room (fans cool people, not rooms).
There’s more from here.
While several of the tips above talk about the biggest energy spenders in air conditioning and lighting, you definitely are surprised at how a well-planned landscape can help in saving energy. Likewise, the use of the thermostat is something that every homeowner must consider especially if there’s a complex HVAC system in place.
Meanwhile, another article we found at Telegraph.co.uk talked about two unconventional ways of saving energy that you definitely aren’t familiar with. See them below:
Install a voltage optimization device
The difference between the voltage fed into your home and what your appliances need could mean that a standard appliance takes more than 4pc more current and consumes almost 9pc more energy than necessary. This technology could save you up to 10pc on your electricity bills. A voltage optimization device will need to be installed by a professional electrician. It won’t work on ovens, hobs, showers, immersion heaters and heaters, but it works well with washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers, televisions and lighting.
Get shower savvy
Modern high-power showers can use as much water in five minutes as it takes to fill a bath. Energy-efficient shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce the amount of water delivered from taps and shower heads by 50pc but still allow you to enjoy an invigorating shower. You save on your water bill (if you have a meter) and on the energy required to heat your water.
Read the rest of the article here.
The units of measurement used in the UK is different to that of ours in the United States, but you get the sense, right? You can go ahead and visit your nearest home improvement store and ask about those two devices above.
Finally, Green Mountain Energy, in a blog post called “Unorthodox Summer Energy-Saving Tips” recommended some simple yet unfamiliar ways to save energy for the summer season. Here’s a bunch of examples:
Cooking tips: Salad, fruit, nuts, cereal, olives and cheese are just a few types of food that do not require any cooking in the oven or stove. Eating more uncooked food will help reduce your electricity usage, and it’s easier to do in the summer since there are so many fresh fruits and vegetables available.
Lock the doors: When hot air seeps into your home through cracks in the door frame or windows, it’s working against your A/C unit. One way to avoid these leaks is to lock your doors and windows, which ensures that they’re closed as tightly as possible. It’s also a good safety measure.
Shading: Trees or shrubs growing by your home can offer enough shade to lower your electricity usage, but not everyone has such helpful landscaping. If you’re in that boat, visit your local garden store to find some large potted plants or trees that can block sunlight entering your home. Not only will they block the heat, they’re also attractive and can give you more privacy from neighbors. Think about outdoor shades, too. If you can stop direct sunlight before it strikes the outside of the window, you’ll get more benefit than you will with shades on the inside.
Savings goals: Do your kids frequently leave the lights on? How often do you see their video game consoles running unattended? One way to curb wasteful behavior like this is by implementing monthly household energy savings goals by comparing your monthly usage vs. the same period a year ago. Establish rewards for your kids to achieve if you meet your goals, and create accountability if you do not.
See all the other tips from here.
To conclude, energy saving at home can be a lot more fun if you’re really into it. It is not to be construed as a difficult responsibility or chore that you have to perform. Just think about the kind of savings you’ll get when you do all of them every year.
Energy Saving at Home: The Things You Can Do But Didn’t Know originated at Heating Oil Website
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