Top 5 Easy Ways to Save Energy at Home

The process of energy conservation has to do with using less energy to get the same work done and, in the process, avoiding high utility bills and unnecessary pollution.

Your ability to use electricity more efficiently helps to reduce the number of resources needed to generate electricity. It also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.

All of these can be achieved by simple practices, which include turning off the light when you leave the room, unplugging appliances when they’re not in use, and using energy-saving appliances and fixtures.

In this article, we share the 5 best ways to save energy at home. We also explain why you should save energy and the result of energy wastage.

Why Save Energy?

• For a reduction in expenses

You need to get this straight; energy, in any form, costs money. This is especially true for electric energy. If you're still wondering why the bills are so high, it's very simple. You’ve been unnecessarily wasting energy. When you save energy, you automatically reduce your expenses.

• For environmental protection

Environmental issues are becoming very common and important in today's world. The world is already going through a period of drastic changes due to the excessive use of energy, which in turn pumps toxic gases into the atmosphere. The least we can do is to cut back on the amount of energy we use.

Reducing your energy usage limits the number of carbon emissions and other toxic gases in the environment. Carbon emissions play a significant role in climate change, which is thought to be the cause of powerful natural disasters in recent years.

Aside from that, it also helps to reduce the percentage of pollution in the environment. Whether air, water, or land, the pollution will inevitably have a tremendous impact on the wellbeing of many families, future generations, as well as wildlife.

• For a healthier lifestyle

The ability to conserve energy provides a higher quality of life. Reduced emissions result in cleaner air quality, which implies that you and your family will be able to breathe better air. Similarly, it helps to create a healthier planet and reduces air pollution to its barest minimum.

What Happens When You Waste Energy?

Research has shown that it is easy to get people to do things when they know the "why", but it is much easier when they know the "consequences" of not doing them. This is why we shall be explaining what might happen if you nonchalantly decide not to save energy.

• High bills, low savings

If you’re hell-bent on wasting energy, you might continue to pay a lot in utility bills. This may result in having lower savings or enough money in the bank to cover other important expenses.

Also, wasting energy can have a devastating effect on the economy at large, where unemployment and poverty rate may skyrocket tremendously. This is why every country and its government must endeavor to look for a viable alternative or system to ensure that its citizens conserve energy as much as possible.

 This will effectively reduce the cost of generating energy while giving the government more money to fund other pressing issues in the country.

• Pollution Increase

Electricity consumption propels more toxic fumes from power plants into the environment. Animals, trees, and plants would die from such pollution. The fishes, sharks, and other creatures that live in the sea, ocean, or even lakes would equally die.

The pollution can also be very hazardous to man and might eventually lead to death, especially when the respiratory system is affected.

 5 Best Ways to Save Energy At Home

Having read the points above, you must be motivated to want to save energy and money. Hence, we shall share the top 5 ways to save energy at home.

When you follow the easy methods below, you are on your way to becoming a superhero without having to take some blows.

1. Switch off the lights and electronics when not in use

This is as easy as it can get. However, many are guilty of leaving electric appliances on when not in use (which is a pretty bad habit).

A lot of people get home to realize that their air conditioner or kitchen lights have been on all day. You can save a lot of energy if you limit this behavior and make it a point of duty to always switch off all electronic appliances in your home before stepping out.

Computers and other electronic gadgets use a lot of energy as well. So, be sure to put them on sleep mode, hibernate them, or shut them down immediately after use.

If you will be leaving the house for even a few minutes, make sure that you put off the TV and other appliances before you do so. This is because situations may arise that could make you stay out longer than expected, thereby leading to a lot of energy wastage.

2. Replace old traditional appliances with their energy-saving counterparts

Recent appliances are more energy-conservative and efficient than the older versions used in the past. From your light bulbs to your ceiling fans, air conditioner, and dishwasher, you can save energy by using energy-saving models.

For instance, traditional light bulbs offer light with just 5-percent of the energy they consume while they produce heat with the remaining 95-percent. Thus, replace them all with CFL and LED bulbs (which are eco-friendly and more durable) or use them sparingly. The same applies to other electronic appliances in your home.

3. Identify the energy vampires and unplug them

By definition, energy vampires are appliances or devices that continue to consume power, even after they are turned off. These “power suckers” can account for up to 5 to 10 percent of your power bill.

They include items and devices like wall chargers, printers, and devices that use power bricks. This means that your phone and laptop charger may continue to use power even when they are not being used.

However, these energy vampires are very easy to combat. You can have them under control by unplugging them completely from the wall socket when they are not in use.

4. Take advantage of natural light as much as you can

Not using energy is one of the best energy conservative methods.

Seems impossible, right?

Well, you can greatly reduce your power usage by embracing the use of natural light as much as you can. Don’t leave the lights on during the day; seek help from Mother Nature instead.

Simply opening the curtains and windows, and allowing sunlight and fresh air to peacefully enter every part of your home will go a long way in helping you to save enough energy and money.

What's more?  Research has shown that natural light also increases the serotine level of the brain, which implies that it can make you feel happier and more relaxed.

5. Reduce unnecessary use of appliances

Reduce the usage of your home appliances. Yes, it takes time to get used to that lifestyle. But if you can, you will notice a tremendous decrease in your energy usage and, of course, your utility bills.

Below are some ways you can achieve this.

• Be a little nicer to your refrigerator. Don’t open it unnecessarily, especially when you’re still indecisive about what you want to have from it. Endeavor to allow your foodstuffs to cool to normal temperature before putting them into the refrigerator. This is because the heat from the air or the hot foodstuff will enter into the refrigerator, thereby adding to the amount of energy needed to keep things cool.
• Your washing machine and dishwasher are designed to work most efficiently with cold water, hence, try to discard the warm water cycle option when it comes to doing your laundry and dishes. Also, consider air-drying your clothes and dishes instead of using they drying cycle of your machines.
• Reduce the energy consumed by your water heater by taking a shorter and cooler shower more often.
• Always boil your water with a cooker instead of using an electric kettle or boiling ring.
• Home heating and air conditioning are the biggest users of electricity. No doubt, heating or cooling your house is very important. But you can cut it down to save energy by doing them only when necessary. Therefore, make sure that you turn off your heater and air conditioner when no one is at home and when they aren't needed.

Final Words

The above methods of saving energy are simply some of the best ways to save energy at home. By following the simple tips and steps, you will not only be saving money and energy but you will also be saving the world at large.

This is similar to taking steps towards a cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle for yourself and your loved ones.