Unplugging unused electronics and investing in smart power strips can help cut down on phantom energy usage

Green Living: 10 Tips to Conserve Energy at Home

With the current global climate crisis, it’s more important than ever to take steps to conserve energy. Luckily, there are plenty of simple things that you can do around your home to reduce your energy consumption and help make a difference. Read on for 10 tips on how to save energy in your home.

  1. Install LED Light Bulbs – LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last much longer. This makes them a great investment that will quickly pay off in reduced energy costs.
  2. Change Your Filters Regularly – Changing the air filters in your HVAC system regularly ensures that it is working as efficiently as possible, which helps conserve energy while also improving air quality in the home.
  3. Unplug Unused Electronics – Even when electronics are turned off, they can still draw power if they remain plugged in. To cut down on phantom energy usage, unplug any electronics that aren’t being used regularly or invest in a smart power strip with an auto shut-off feature. ’
  4. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible – Natural light not only looks nicer but it is also free! Open up blinds or curtains during the day and turn lights off when natural light is available to conserve electricity and save money on your electric bill.
  5. Wash Clothes in Cold Water – Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot saves both water and electricity since washing machines require electricity to heat the water up before starting a cycle.
  6. Clean Your Refrigerator Coils – Regularly cleaning dirty refrigerator coils helps ensure that your fridge doesn’t have to work harder than necessary to keep food cold which reduces overall energy usage in the home.
  7. Take Advantage of Solar Energy – If you live somewhere with lots of sunshine, consider investing in solar panels for your home so you can take advantage of free solar energy whenever possible.
  8. Adjust Thermostat Settings Appropriately – During colder months, lower the thermostat during times when no one is home or at night while sleeping so you don’t waste energy heating an empty house.
  9. Install Insulated Windows – Installing insulated windows helps keep warm air inside during winter while keeping cool air inside during summer resulting in less reliance on heating/cooling systems.
  10. Air Seal Your Home – Gaps and cracks around doors and windows allow air from inside a house to escape outside leading to higher temperatures indoors which cause AC units to run for longer periods of time increasing overall electricity usage.

Conserving energy is something we all should be doing both for ourselves and for our planet. By taking small steps like those listed above, everyone can help make a difference when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint at home. If everyone does their part, together we can help make our planet greener for generations to come.