120 Ways to Save Electricity at Home

8/18/2019 120 Ways to Save Electricity at Home

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20MAR 2015

120 Ways To Save Electricity At Home

by Joel Samonte | posted in: Home Improvements | 0

Life without electricity is hard to imagine. In our homes, we depend on it to power our

lights, appliances, and electronics. ut in recent years sa!ing electricity at home has

"ecome increasingly important. #sing electricity without consideration to conser!ing

energy contri"utes to glo"al warming and leads to massi!e electricity "ills.

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$a!in

g electricity ser!es the dual purpose of helping stop glo"al warming and sa!ing a lot of

money o!er time $ource% ari&onafoothillsmaga&ine.com

'hough we ha!e electricity at our disposal, there are still some people who don(t )now

how to utili&e electricity. $a!ing electricity "y adopting certain measures is a smart,

cost*effecti!e and persuasi!e en!ironmental action that anyone can ta)e. y following a

few simple steps, sa!ing electricity can "ecome a real easy tas).

Here are 120 ways to save electricity:

Lighting

1. Replace standard "ul"s with compact fluorescent lamps +-Ls. ompact

fluorescent light "ul"s are more energy*efficient than regular "ul"s, while gi!ing

off the same amount of light.

2. uy "ul"s for less. hec) out stores and local retailers who offer energy*efficient

compact fluorescent +-L "ul"s at discounted prices.

/. Replace halogen light "ul"s with -Ls alogen light "ul"s can get hot enough

to "e a fire ha&ard. #se -L$ instead as they use less energy and don(t get as

hot.

. #se the right "ul". Ma)e sure you(re using the correct -L "ul" for your light

fi3ture they come in !arious si&es and types for different lighting needs


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5. #se motion*detector lights for all your outdoor lighting they(re con!enient and

efficient.

4. Recycle your -L "ul"s. Recycling -L "ul"s pre!ents the release of mercury into

the en!ironment and other materials in the "ul"s get reused

. onsider using timers to turn lights on in the morning and off during the day.

6. Replace your fi!e most*used light fi3tures and7or "ul"s to sa!e in energy costs

8. Install fluorescent tu"es as an efficient way to light your wor)shop or playroom.

10.hoose light*colored or opa9ue lamp shades. :lace the lamps in corners so they

reflect light from two walls.

11.hoose outdoor -Ls for outdoor lighting they last up to 10 times longer thanstandard "ul"s.

12.;hen lamps and fi3tures ha!e two or more soc)ets for incandescent light "ul"s,

consider using single, larger*wattage "ul"s rather than filling all the soc)ets with

smaller*wattage "ul"s.

1/.arefully study "ul" pac)ages to get the most for your wattage. ;attage does

not measure the amount of light it measures the energy needed to light the

"ul".

1.;hen "uying new lamps consider those with three*way switches. 'hen use the

lower settings whene!er possi"le li)e when watching tele!ision.

15.Install a s)ylight. #sing natural lighting sa!es a "unch of energy and produces a

much nicer en!ironment "esides. Modern s)ylights are a!aila"le which let in only

the light and not the heat.

14.Reflect on installing energy efficient L


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18.$et the temperature of your refrigerator "etween /0 and 2?-. #se the power*

sa!e switch if you ha!e one.

20.:ull the plug on that second fridge located in your room, garage or utility room.

21.Repair refrigerator door seals if you feel cold air around the closed door or ifmoisture is gathering.

22.Ma)e it a ha"it to dust your fridge e!ery time you dust your house. hec) the

coils "ehind the refrigerator and use coil !acuums or dusters to clean it off and

)eep costs down.

2/.Replace a refrigerator "ought in 1880 with modern energy*efficient models since

they cost less to operate than older refrigerators.

2.@eep your free&er full it uses less energy than an empty one. -or ma3imumsa!ings, consider filling your free&er with gallon containers of water.

25.Replace your refrigerator. hoose models with impro!ed insulation and power*

sa!ing switches.

24.hoose energy*efficient appliances. Aside from sa!ing you money, they(re good

for the en!ironment as well "ecause they use less energy.

2.Minimi&e the amount of time the refrigerator door is open.

26.;ash and dry se!eral loads at once, so that your dryer isn(t totally cooled down

when it heats up for the ne3t load.

28.$eparate wash loads into light and hea!y fa"rics for the shortest drying times.

r "etter yet, air*dry your lightest fa"rics.

/0.A!oid o!er*drying your clothes. It wastes energy and it causes static and

wrin)ling.

/1.Bent your dryer to the outside to lessen the wor)load on your air conditioner.

/2.ang dress clothing to air dry on porta"le laundry rac)s plus, they(ll also loo)

"etter.

//.;ash full loads of clothes when possi"le. #se less water when smaller loads are

necessary.

/.lean the dryer lint filter "efore e!ery load to maintain efficiency of your dryer.


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/5.A!oid using high*temperature settings when clothes are not !ery soiled.

/4.-old or place on hangers promptly to lessen or a!oid ironing.

/.'urn off your dishwasher after the wash cycle and let your dishes air*dry. >ou(ll

sa!e energy as well as )eep your dishwasher from heating up your )itchen.

/6.$et your dishwashers on economy mode so less water and electricity will "e

used.

/8.@eep the o!en door closed while coo)ing the temperature can drop "y as much

as 25 degrees each time you open the o!en door.

0.Crill out more often during the summer. #sing the o!en in the heat of summer

forces your A to wor) harder, gi!ing you a higher energy "ill.

1.#se copper*"ottomed pots and pans that use heat more efficiently when coo)ing

on the sto!e.

2.@eep sto!e reflector pans clean to reflect more heat upward while coo)ing.

/.'urn off your o!en or "urners when food is almost ready and Dust let e3isting

heat finish the coo)ing for you.

.Match your pot si&e to the "urner on your sto!e. eat is wasted when small pots

are used on large "urners.

5.#se tight*fitting co!ers on pots and pans when coo)ing on the sto!e to shorten

your coo)ing time and sa!e energy.

4.;hen using con!entional o!ens, food should "e placed on the top rac). 'he top

rac) is hotter and will coo) food faster.

.'urn off )itchen and "ath fans immediately after use.

6.:lace food slightly apart on refrigerator shel!es for correct air circulation, and

remo!e all hea!y wrapping paper "efore storing foods in the refrigerator.

8.=efrost chest*type free&ers at least 1*2 a year and upright models 2* / times a

year, and ne!er allow frost "uild*up to e3ceed 4mm.

50.'haw fro&en foods "efore coo)ing to sa!e appro3imately 15 minutes coo)ing

time per 500 grams


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51.lean gas "urners regularly to remo!e food spill caught in the small holes in the

"urner rings. 'his ensures a constant and e!en gas distri"ution and flame si&e

for more efficient coo)ing.

52.It may test your patience to iron for hours on end, "ut if you iron large "atches

of clothing at one time you won(t waste energy reheating the iron e!ery time you

want to press something.

5/.#se the correct temperature setting on your iron. An iron can consume as much

energy as twenty*four 100 watt light "ul"s.

Electronics

5.A!oid energy !ampires.

Estand"yF mode use energy to power features li)e cloc) displays.

55.:lug electronics into a power strip and then turn the strip off when not in use to

sa!e in energy costs.

54.Loo) for energy efficient 'Bs there are now models that are /0 percent more

efficient than other models.

5.uy a laptop instead of a computer they use less energy than des)top

computers.

56.$et your computer to sleep or hi"ernate mode instead of using a screen sa!er so

less electricity is used during periods of inacti!ity.

58.#nplug "attery chargers when the "atteries are fully charged or the chargers are

not in use. Many chargers draw power continuously, e!en when the de!ice is not

plugged into the charger. ;hat(s worse, a "attery may e3plode due to

o!ercharging and set fire to your house.

40.onsider upgrading to a flat panel L= monitor. 'hey use appro3imately 17/ the

energy as e9ual*si&ed R' monitors.

41.AdDust the "rightness on your monitor. 'he "righter a monitor, the more energyit uses. A monitor(s "rightness can "e reduced dramatically if used in a dar)

room, for e3ample.

42.$hut down your computer when you lea!e the office or home for more than two

hours.

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4/.Camers consider an upgrade to your !ideo card. Latest !ideo cards are

"ecoming more powerful and efficient.

Cooling

4.$witch your ceiling fan to turn in a counter*cloc)wise direction in the summer

and run it at low speed, "ut cloc)wise in the rainy season.

45.lose your e3terior doors and windows tightly when the A is on. 'urn off )itchenand "ath e3haust fans to sa!e e!en more.

44.lean or change your A(s air filters at least once a month to )eep your system

running at pea) performance.

4.Ma)e sure your A has a rating* your A will "e more efficient.

46.$et your thermostat fan switch to EautoF to sa!e energy. Air )eeps running

constantly when it(s left in the EonF position.

48.loc) the sun from o!erheating your home* use shades, "linds and drapes inside

and use awnings, trees and shru"s outside.

0.Insulate your walls with inDected foam insulation to help you sa!e energy "y

)eeping hot outside air from seeping through porous "loc) walls.

1.Ci!e your A a tune*up. An inefficient A system can result in high monthly "ills.

2.pen interior doors so that cooled air flows freely throughout your home.

/.Repair lea)y ducts to reduce heating and cooling costs.

.Install attic insulation and seal any attic lea)s to reduce high home cooling costs.

5.hec) for household lea)s to ma)e sure air isn(t escaping through openings such

as doors and windows.


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4.=ecorate for a cooler home "y hanging light*colored curtains that allow light to

enter a room while "loc)ing some of the sun(s rays, and light*colored paint to

reflect heat.

.$cope out all the heating and cooling !ents in your home, and ma)e sure there is

no furniture, drapery or other o"structions "loc)ing the airflow.

6.lose unused air !ents. If you ha!e central A you can close air !ent in rooms

you(re not using so you(re not paying to cool them.

8.:lant trees to pro!ide shade on the sunny side of your home.

60.#se ceiling fans to cool off for less. eiling fans use no more electricity than a

standard light "ul". ut "e sure to turn fans off when you lea!e G they only cool

people, not rooms.

61.Install more ceiling fans. ecause the "ree&e of a fan can ma)e you feel three to

four degrees cooler.

62.Install a programma"le thermostat to adDust your temperature during the day.

6/.Raise the temperature on your thermostat "y a few degrees to sa!e on your

cooling costs.

Heating

6.o!er all "are floors. arpeting or rugs add to comfort and heat retention,

especially if there is little or no floor insulation.

65.Raise the temperature slowly to )eep your "ill lower. Huic)ly raising your heat

pump(s temperature acti!ates the heat strip, which uses tons of energy.

64.Limit your use of porta"le heaters. 'hey(re great for EspotF heating, "ut running

a 1,500*watt heater 27 can "e e3pensi!e.

6.=on(t "loc) air !ents with drapes and furniture.

66.Cet an energy*efficient heat pump and you could cut your heating costs in half.

68.hange the filters in your heating system e!ery month for optimum efficiency.

80.Ci!e your air compressor space to wor) efficiently. e!er stac) anything against

your BA or drape anything o!er it.


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81.$et your thermostat to 40 degrees if going on !acation "ut don(t turn it off.

82.eat your home with the sun(s help. Lea!e window shades or "linds open during

the daytime.

8/.onsider using solar heat to supplement your normal heating source.

8.Lower your thermostat e!ery time you lea!e the house.

Water Heating

85.Always use cold water for washing. Laundry detergent wor)s Dust as well.

84.hec) your pipes for lea)s, which can drain your energy sa!ings.

8.Install aerating, low*flow faucets and showerheads to reduce your hot water use.

86.'urn off your water heater if you plan on lea!ing home for a few days. Most

models will reheat the water to the set temperature in a"out an hour.

88.$horten those showers to cut hot water costs.

100. Insulate the first si3 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the

water heater. It(ll )eep your comfort high and your energy "ills low.

101. Install a solar water heater to sa!e energy and money "y using solar

power.

102. Cet an insulation wrap to help your old water heater heat in more

effecti!ely.

10/. Reduce your water heater temperature setting from 10 degrees to 120

degrees G it will sa!e you money while )eeping water hot enough for showers

and cleaning dishes.

10. Loo) for the guide la"el when purchasing a new water heater G if a more

efficient heater is more e3pensi!e, you(ll sa!e money o!er time.

105. Ma)e sure you are washing a full load if you li)e using hot water for your

laundry.

104. $top that dripping hot water faucet. Lea)y faucets not only increase water

"ills "ut also increase gas or electricity use for heating the wasted water.


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10. Install a timer for your water heater that will turn it off when you are not

at home.

106. hoose the right water heater for your needs. ;hile they may promise

sa!ings, tan)less models are pricey to install and on*demand water heaters

may actually increase your electric "ill.

108. =rain the $ediment. 'an)s naturally "uild up sediment, which reduces

efficiency and ma)es sa!ing energy a challenge. =raining the tan) will )eep it

running efficiently.

110. 'urn the water off in the shower while you(re soaping up or shampooing.

'his is a lot easier if you install a cheap screw*in push"utton switch

111. =o all household cleaning with cold water if possi"le.

Windows

112. Install high*performance windows, screens and films to protect wood and

artwor) and upholstery from #B rays while sa!ing energy.

11/.


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118. In sunny climates, homes and "uildings with white roofs re9uired up to 0

percent less energy for cooling than those with "lac) roofs. An ine3pensi!e

white, elastomeric coating will do the Do" and can "e found at most hardware

stores.

120. And lastly, do a home energy audit. 'his sur!ey analy&es your home(s

structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family(s lifestyle.

'he good news is that you don(t ha!e to "e an en!ironmental scientist to sa!e energy.

>ou Dust need a little push to get you started and soon, you(ll "e sa!ing on that power

"ill. onser!ing electricity allows us to ma)e sure that future generations will still "e

a"le to enDoy the "eauty and gifts that this world has to offer. And what "etter way to

help than to start sa!ing electricity at home. ut a little energy and you(ll "e sa!ing

money in no time.

=o you ha!e your own way of sa!ing electricity at homeJ -eel free to share it with us.

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120 Ways to Save Electricity at Home