10 Ideas for Saving Energy at Home

This is an article by Tim Smith

If you’re like me, you’ve made a new year’s resolution to save money. One of the easiest ways to do that is to start at home with your energy usage. Cutting down on your utility bill can save you money every month that you can put towards a new car, your kid’s tuition fund, or just a home improvement project. Here are 10 things you can do to start saving right away:

via Modernize

1. Pull the plug on all the electronic luxury items in your house that continuously use electricity: Computers, televisions, microwaves and coffee makers are all energy sneaks that often use electricity even when they are not in use. Unplug them. If that is too much trouble, plug them into a power strip with an on/off switch so you can easily turn the switch off.

 

2. Replace your electric clocks with battery operated clocks that hang on the wall, or with winding alarm clocks.

 

3. If possible, replace your energy guzzling hot water heater with a solar hot water heater. This is a relatively easy project for a DIYer. Search the Internet for instructions. If that isn’t in the cards for now, then put a timer on your hot water heater. There is no reason to heat water while you are at work or when you’re asleep. A timer is a cheap fix for a big energy guzzler. You should also turn down the temperature on your hot water heater and wrap it in an insulated wrap to help keep the heat from escaping.

 

4. If your house is too hot, consider tinting your windows. Tinting film is easy to apply and can really make a difference. Also, make sure all your curtains and blinds are white or another very light shade.

 

5. If your interior is too hot, consider painting the outside surfaces of your house a clean, elegant white. A white roof can make a huge difference. Dark colors absorb heat, but white reflects heat. For a quick demonstration of what a difference this can make, go outside on a hot day and touch-test surfaces of various colors. Of course, if you want to make your home warmer, then you should paint the exterior surfaces the darkest color possible.

 

6. If your house is too cold, then consider carpeting or area rugs in high use areas.

 

7. Replace your interior lighting with tubular solar skylights. At the very least, turn off all lights when they are not in use.

 

8. Consider cooking one dish meals in a crockpot, instead of heating up the whole house by using the stove. In addition to saving energy, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen. As an alternative, grill outside more often. Click here for a great article explaining if crockpots are energy efficient

 

9. Always wash your clothes in cold water. Most laundry detergents manufactured today work just as well in cold water as in hot and you won’t be paying to heat the water.

 

10. Make sure your computer stays in sleep or hibernate mode when not in use. Screen saver mode constantly uses electricity.

 

Whether you’re saving for a vacation, looking for more money for social activities, or simply short on cash, these tips will help lower your electricity bill. Click here for more home energy efficiency ideas, the more tips you follow, the more money you’ll save. Have a great 2015! Single use items are also a great way to save energy and lessen your environmental impact.

 

 

For more energy saving tips and tricks, head to Modernize.com.