Conserving energy and ensuring efficiency is something we all want to do if we want to lower our electricity bills and save our planet. So, when do we call ourselves energy efficient? It’s when we use less energy and thereby pay less money – to achieve the same level of comfort that we have been achieving always. In other words, saving more and spending less. And in the current scenario, it simply means making the optimum use of technology to meet the same level of comfort using less energy. Using electricity and water not only reduces your monthly consumption and your monthly bills but it also saves the environment by reducing the load on the electricity grid and the water system.
Home improvement behavior to save energy, in other words – electricity:
Heating during winters and cooling during summers accounts typically half of our energy usage. Other electronic gadgets like Television, refrigerator, electric dryer, mobile charges, dishwashers, washing machines, and other gadgets account for 20% of our usage which means making these gadgets more efficient will leads to savings on energy and money.
- Monitor your electricity bills:
A monthly audit of the electricity bill is a good place to start to find out the energy usage of your home and find out if there are any specific months when the energy is used. Usually, it will be all year round since in summer you might use coolers and in winters you will use heaters. This will also help you find out what home improvements you will need to bring to save on energy costs.
- Usage of LED bulbs: LED(light-emitting diode bulbs) Bulbs not only consumes less energy as compared to CFL(compact fluorescent) but it also comes with more options that mimic the natural lighting. The cost of LED bulbs has decreased in recent times as the Government is also encouraging the usage of LED bulbs for energy conservation. However, don’t forget to recycle your old bulbs.
- Hot water heaters: Traditional water heaters are less efficient consuming more energy. Consider replacing your old water heaters with a new one which will save more energy.
- Solar Panels: Consider using Solar panels for your premises whether home or office. The solar panel generates energy through Sunlight which is safe, clean, and green and also saves your planet. Solar energy is free and reduces your electricity bill, and saves you money. Government authorities in many countries are providing incentives to people who are opting for Solar energy to save society and the planet as a whole.
- Landscaping for shade: To get the maximum from your solar panels, consider placing your solar panels at the optimum position facing the sun so that the solar panel is able to generate maximum energy for your usage and thereby help your pockets save money.
- Adjust your day-to-day behavior: You can consider using handheld traditional appliances such as drying clothes in sun or air drying instead of using washing machine dryer mode. Switching off the lights and fans when not in use.
- Use of smart power strips: Electricity has used the maximum when the electronic devices are in standby mode or are switched off. The use of Smart power strips, also known as advanced power strips, puts an end to this by shutting off the power to electronics when they are not in use.
- Installation of smart thermostat: A Thermostat can be programmed to turn off or reduce the cooling and heating of the equipment automatically when you are not using it. This ensures that energy is not wasted and saved for future use.
- Go for energy-efficient appliances: while buying new electronic gadgets go for the ones which are energy efficient. Look for 5-star labels while buying refrigerators, Air conditioners, washing machines, and dishwashers. Look for the upfront price to be paid along with the long-term benefits. For example, 5-star label Air conditioners consume less energy and lesser electricity bills, front load automatic washing machines save more energy, consume less water, and saves on electricity bill and money.
- Reduction of water heater expenses: Water heaters are a major contributor to energy consumption at the domestic level. While buying water heaters for your home, consider 2 things: first is the size of your family and the amount of fuel it will use. For example: for a large family, the tankless water heater will not be of any use since it will not hold the amount of water to meet the needs of the entire family, at the same time for a small family, a large water heater with the tank will lead to waste of energy.
Some easy everyday tips to save energy!
To save energy it does not take a huge investment. Energy can be saved by adjusting the simple day to day behaviors.
- Switch off the lights when you leave the room
- Do not leave the mobile plugged into the charger the whole night. This leads to unnecessary energy wastage and is harmful to the mobile battery as well.
- Consider using smart power strips. Don’t charge the appliance unnecessarily when you are not using it.
- Clean the clothes dryer after every use to avoid huge energy consumption in the next use.
- Let the dishes air-dry instead of using the dry setting in your dishwashers.
- Use the washing machine when it reaches the full load, this means you will use the washing machine on alternate days or after every 2 days which will save energy.
- Clean and change air filters regularly.
- Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners in the day time during summers for colling home to ensure the usage of less energy.
Consideration if you are planning to buy/build new homes:
- Consider installing of Solar Panel on the rooftop. This will ensure that energy is produced for home-usage.
- Use reflective materials such as TPO to absorb less sunlight which will ensure that the house remains cool in the summers.
Conclusion:
So, to sum it up, if you are wondering why it is important to save energy for home, well there are many reasons for that. First of all, save energy, save money, save the planet and the other reasons are it will provide you with the clean and green environment in the long run for your future generation and it will be budget-friendly as well. So, think about it!