6 Useful Energy Conservation Tips

image

While the future of electronics definitely seems bright, we cannot ignore the rising electricity prices that can threaten the advancements and the consumer market for such devices and appliances. With the increasing prices for electricity, manufacturers of various appliances and electronic devices have also started developing energy efficient products that provide better performance with a lower electricity consumption. Despite these advancements, we all know that replacing your older appliances and electrical devices is a gradual process that will take some time, unless you’re ready to spend a fortune. You can also learn about how to save electricity by doing some quick research on the Internet. Nevertheless, listed below are some tips that will help you conserve precious electricity and reduce your bills.

  1. Using a Spike Buster for Standby Appliances

In case you’re not already aware of this, your appliances can consume electricity even when they’re switched off. Most electrical appliances like television sets, home theatre systems, and computer screens utilise a standby function, instead of power off. While the appliances aren’t functioning in the standby mode, they are still hogging your home electricity, which can add up a significant amount in electricity bills. The best way to combat this is to connect all these appliances to a spike buster and switch them off directly through the main switch on the spike buster. This eliminates the need to switch off individual appliances, while also protecting them from any unexpected power surges.

  1. Cleaning Refrigerator Coils

In order to reduce your electricity bill it is important that you learn to save electricity at home. Not many people know this, but refrigerators are one of the biggest contributors to electricity bills. As they need to be on all the time, they consume a considerable amount of power. While newer models claim they are more energy efficiency, it’s the older models with exposed coils that need the most attention. Replacing your old refrigerator might be a good option, but the power consumption can be reduced to a large degree by cleaning your refrigerator coils occasionally. The coils are the main cooling component of a refrigerator, which can accumulate a lot of dirt and dust over time. Cleaning them with a brush on a monthly basis will not only keep your refrigerator running for years, but will also lower the amount of electricity it consumes.

  1. Unplugging Unused Appliances

Even small appliances like a phone charger can become an energy hog if you keep it plugged in. Plugged in stereos, chargers, microwave ovens, kitchen blenders, and AC adapters for laptops etc. can consume electricity even when the appliance is not being used. You can simply stop this by making sure that you unplug all of your appliances and devices from the power sockets after you’ve used them. This will not only protect your appliances from fluctuations, but will considerably lower your bills.

  1. Servicing the Air Conditioner Regularly

Like refrigerators, air conditioners also require regular servicing and cleaning to maintain their effectiveness, plus improve its performance. The mesh inside AC units can get clogged with dust and dirt over time, which reduces its performance and forces it to consume more power to cool its surroundings. Getting your AC units serviced every six months is considered the best way to increase its life and cooling effectiveness. The mesh must also be cleaned on a monthly basis, and dirt must be removed with the help of a brush before returning it to its place.

  1. Switch to LEDs

While compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) seem to be an effective replacement of the old incandescent bulbs, they still consume high amounts of electricity and must be replaced every four to five months. A solution to both problems is the new LED home lighting, which is said to reduce your electricity bills by up to eighty percent. The LED lights have several benefits over CFLs, regular light bulbs, and halogens and are much more energy efficient and environment friendly than the heavy mercury lights. However, LED lights are rather expensive to buy over CFLs and light bulbs, so replacing all of your home lighting with LEDs requires careful planning of your budget. Nevertheless, once they are installed, you will save a lot of money on your bills.

  1. Use Solar Heating for Water

Cooling and heating solutions for homes consume a lot of energy. The water heating systems and electric geysers can consume a lot of power and increase your bills. The best solution is to install a solar powered water heating system, which is charged up by the sunlight, which then heats the water. As sunlight is an inexhaustible source of energy, it is a far better option than expensive electric water heaters.

Turning off the lights when not required, and using natural light inside your house, can also save a lot on your monthly electricity charges. While these basic habits can certainly save consumption, the abovementioned tips can certainly help reduce your electricity bills. Using energy efficient systems not only saves electricity, but also benefits the environment, reducing carbon emissions, and acts as a preventative toward global warming.

Sources:

http://www.familyhandyman.com/smart-homeowner/ways-to-save-money/10-tips-on-saving-electricity-and-lowering-your-electricity-bill/view-all

http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp

http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver-guide-tips-saving-money-and-energy-home

Helen Garvey
Author of Beauty Zone https://www.beauty-zone.co.uk, Healthy Woman https://www.healthy-woman.co.uk, and New Promo Codes http://www.newpromocodes.co.uk. Written on various topics, including finance, relationships, health and beauty, skincare, and health and fitness.