Today, the amount of harm and damage that has been done to the environment is at an all time high. If we continue on this path, we’ll negatively be affecting the health of ourselves and our children. However, there are many cost efficient ways in which we can go green without spending an arm and a leg for bunch of solar panels or an electric car. Below, you’ll find a few tips which can help you save electricity around the house without putting too much of a dent in your pocket.
Move electronics away from Thermostat
Lamps, televisions and various other types of electronics give off heat. If these are placed near your thermostat, it can allow it to read a higher temperature in your home which will make your air conditioning system run longer than it needs to run. Ideally, you want your electronics or any other type of heat generating devices far away from your thermostat so that they don’t interfere with your thermostat’s readings.
Replace light-bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are extremely inefficient. This is why they are generally so hot. Much of their energy is wasted as these light-bulbs generate heat. However, flourescent light-bulbs can save you as much as 75% on your lighting costs. They also last much longer and will save you on replacement costs in the long run.
Set Your Thermostat Higher
You may generally have your thermostat set to 72°F. However, if you raise it by just 6°F in the summer, you can save as much as 18% on your cooling bill. Ideally, you want to close the gap as much as possible between the outside and indoor air temperatures. So the higher the thermostat is in the summer, the lower your energy bill will be.
Solar Pool Heating
If you have a pool or hot-tub in your backyard, consider getting a solar pool heater. Solar pool heaters can work along side your powered pool heater to help you reduce your heating costs on sunny days. Solar pool heaters use no electricity, have zero emissions, and are generally quite affordable.
Duct Cleaning
Filthy ducts can restrict air flow throughout your house which will have to make your air conditioning unit work harder to cool down your home. Have your ducts cleaned periodically to ensure that you’re not wasting electricity while running your air conditioner.
Use Fans
Using fans alongside with an air conditioner can help you stay comfortable even when you raise your thermostat by a few degrees. However, just remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room because fans cannot cool a room. They can only cool people and make them more comfortable when the temperature is a little warmer.
Shorten your Showers
Heating water can contribute to as much as 25% of your heating bill. However, if you shorten your showers by just 2-3 minutes, you significantly reduce the amount of energy used to heat your home’s water. You can also turn down the temperature on your water heater to reduce the amount of energy used to heat your home’s water.
Turn off your Computer
If you keep your computer running all day, that can cost you as much as 21 cents or $75/year. When not in use, unplug and turn off electronics and appliances. This task can be made much easier by using power-bars.
Programmable Thermostats
By switching to a programmable thermostat, you can save much as $150/year on energy costs. Just have it setup so that it automatically turns off when your not home and turns on when you are home. A remote controlled thermostat is also a good option. This allows you to monitor and control your thermostat from your phone.
