Here are a few tips and tricks on how to save energy.
1. Turn the thermostat down. Setting your thermostat down by one degree can help you save at least $60 in a year. You can save even more by keeping the heater on a constant temperature during the cold season. Investing in a good thermostat with timer settings can see you save more money in the long run.
2. Get cozy: Instead of turning up the temperature, why not get cozy by wearing socks, slippers, a jumper, sweater, and even have an extra blanket on the bed. The extra cover should help your body generate more heat and stay warm, hence no need to turn the thermostat up. If you want to heat things up then a fireplace like this from Ethanol Fireplace Pros could be a good option.
3. Keep the pressure on the power shower on a low setting: Although we all love the high-pressure shower, the extra power needed to generate the extra pressure uses up lots of energy in the long run. It also contributes to the wastage of water, which can be saved by lowering the pressure.
4. Use efficient cooking methods: Plan to cook your meals early in advance to save some energy. Start by getting all ingredients ready before firing up the stove. You might also want to bake a few meals at a time to reduce energy wastage.
5. Use heat generated from cooking to keep your home warm: The process of cooking, and especially baking generates lots of heat that often goes to waste. Nonetheless, leaving the oven door open once done baking can help keep the house warm for longer. Just don’t run the heat extractor fan.
6. Use the dishwasher efficiently: The dishwasher is designed to deal with grease and other forms of dirt on dishes. Avoid pre-rinsing your dishes in hot water and let the dishwasher do it for you.
7. Keep your fridge and freezer full: An almost empty fridge/freezer works a lot harder trying to maintain a constant temperature as compared to a full one. Restocking your fridge on time helps it run more efficiently while using less energy.
8. Use the right ring: This is particularly important when preparing your meals. If heating a small portion of your food, you might then want to consider using the small ring for the job, and a similar sized pan as well. Using a larger one, or too small a ring will only contribute to energy wastage.
9. Use the recommended temperatures on the washing machine: Washing your clothes at 30 or 40 degrees Celsius will save you lots of energy than letting the washing machine heat the water to higher temperatures.
10. Air-dry your laundry: The tumble dryer should be used sparingly. Air drying your clothes is recommended and especially in warm or windy weather.
11. Be smart when ironing clothes: Don’t let the clothes to dry completely to iron them. A little moisture in the clothes makes ironing much easier and uses less energy.
12. Switch off appliances that are not in use: Although most devices will go on standby when not in use, they still use up energy in that state. For this reason, it is wiser to turn them off or unplug them from the socket to save some energy. Any appliance not in use should be switched off and unplugged until needed.
13. Involve the kids: Train your kids to save energy as well. This includes switching off lights that aren’t in use and playing in commonly used areas. Letting the kids play in the living room will save you lots of energy instead of having them play in their bedrooms.
14. Invest in a heat pump for the home. Yes, they may cost a bit initially, however long term they pay for themselves and in many cases there are grants involved.
Follow these tips and ideas to save more energy at home. Your home will not only run more efficiently but also be soft on your wallet.
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