These days, saving energy is one of the highest priorities for many people. There are two big reasons for this, one of them being that saving energy helps the environment. That is because less energy use means less CO2 (carbon dioxide) is released into the atmosphere. That is good because CO2 emissions are responsible for the rise in temperatures across the globe.
The other reason is that saving energy helps to save you money since lower energy use means a smaller power bill each month. There are a lot of different ways to save energy but these are five of the easiest and best options.
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filter
Your AC unit is an invaluable part of your home, but it could be eating up a lot of energy if it is dirty. The reason is that a dirty, clogged air filter creates more air resistance, which means that the fan of the air conditioner has to work harder to push air through. This makes the unit work harder and consume more energy.
Cleaning or replacing the air filters before they get dirty can prevent your power bill from getting too high. Make sure to get the right size filter if you are replacing it, the average filter measures 10×20 and you can find air filters in this size and others in brick and mortar and online stores.
2. Use Smart Power Strips
Many of the appliances in the home leech power from the grid even when they are turned off. That is because they are in standby mode. That mode makes electronics more convenient because they power up more quickly, but they can be a big power drain. Smart power strips cut off the power to electronic devices when they are turned off or in standby mode. This can save you up to $200 each year.
3. Change Your Light Bulbs
By now, most people should have made the switch from incandescent bulbs to CFL or LED bulbs, but if you haven’t, then do so ASAP. Not only do CFL and LED bulbs consume much less energy than incandescent bulbs, they last far longer too, so you will be replacing them less often. That means they save you money in two different ways.
4. Use Programmable Thermostats
While air conditioning is important, there is no point in the AC system running when you are not home. With a programmable thermostat, you can set when the system turns on or off, so you can set it to turn itself off during the times when no one is home to use it. This can add up to huge savings each year.
5. Use Energy Efficient Appliances
There are energy efficient alternatives to nearly every appliance you use, such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. These appliances are sometimes more expensive than their more wasteful counterparts, but their lower energy usage makes up for the higher price. No one expects you to change all of your appliances at once, but you should think about eventually changing the cheapest one and/or the one you use the most.
Save Energy, Save Money, Save The Planet
Saving energy begins at home, but it can have a big impact on the planet as well as your wallet. You will lower your annual energy bill and you will contribute less to CO2 emissions. Of course, cleaning your air filter or changing your lightbulb won’t immediately save the world, but it is better than doing nothing.
