Easy Ways to Reduce Your Home Energy Usage

July 30th, 2012 Green Energy

More and more people are becoming interested in living greener, more sustainable lifestyles. Part of doing so involves reducing your household’s monthly energy usage. This has benefits beyond those just for the environment, however. You can end up saving hundreds of dollars a year by finding ways to minimize how much energy you use, and if you know what you are doing, you don’t have to sacrifice your own comfort. Keep reading to find out about easy ways to use less energy.

Much of your monthly energy bill results from the cost of keeping your home cool in the summer and warm during the winter. Even minor adjustments to your thermostat can add up to significant savings over the long run, and you may not even notice the difference. Try adjusting your air conditioning so that it is a degree or two warmer in the house and your furnace so that it stays a degree or two cooler.

A leaking faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water per year, and the cost of a simple repair will more than pay for itself. If you notice that your kitchen or bathroom sinks are leaking, do not put off having them repaired. Do so right away so that you will not be throwing money down the drain.

A simple and easy way to keep your home more comfortable is by hanging curtains over your windows. A good set of drapes can keep your home much cooler during hot weather by blocking the amount of sunlight that is able to enter your home and warm it up. For maximum cooling, you can even go so far as to install reflective panels on your windows, but these are more difficult to adjust. In hot and sunny climates, however, they may be worth it.

Many appliances draw power even when you are not using them. This “phantom load” can add up to a surprisingly large portion of your utility bill. To reduce this load, don’t just turn off an appliance when it is not in use. Unplug it from the wall, or use a power strip that can be turned off. This way, the appliance will not be able to continue using electricity 24 hours a day.

When you wash your clothes, try to use cold water whenever you can. This way, you do not have to pay for the extra expense of running your hot water heater to get the water warm enough. For most loads of laundry, cold water will get your clothes just as clean as hot water.

Good insulation can dramatically reduce your heating and cooling bills. The expense of installing more insulation will more than pay for itself over the long run. Have a professional come and check to see how well-insulated your home is. If you need more insulation, be sure to choose high-quality insulation so that you will get the maximum possible benefit from it.

Now you know how easy it can be to reduce your energy consumption without sacrificing your own comfort. You can help the planet while helping yourself. If you start using these tips right away, your next utility bill may be surprisingly low.