Energy conservation tips are very useful in an economy with rising energy costs, particularly for families battling summer heat and winter cold. Energy conservation is not just about preserving natural resources, but also about protecting individual financial resources.
Energy Conservation Tips at Home
Conserving energy begins at home. Small changes are easier to accomplish than larger ones. Gradual changes are financially easy to implement and provide financial reward in the long run along with the satisfaction of conserving energy to protect the planet and its natural resources. Energy conservation tips are win-win for everyone involved.
Turn the Lights Out
Too often, we take for granted the lights being on. When you are not in the room, the lights do not need to be on. Turn off any electronics in a room when you leave. This habit will save you regularly on your electric bill.
Replace the Light Bulbs
Popular among many energy conservation tips is replacing high wattage light bulbs with more energy efficient ones. There are light bulbs on the market that use 14 to 20 watts of power and produce the same amount of light that a 100 watt light bulb does without three quarters of the power consumption. This not only saves money, but it also preserves an energy resource for others.
Six Degrees
Air conditioning and heating account for a large percentage of electric bills in many parts of the country. During the spring and autumn, many people forgo their air conditioning or heating for having the windows open and the power bill drops appreciably. Consider adjusting your air conditioning by a few degrees, but while still maintaining comfort. For example, if you typically set the heat to 70 in the winter, set it to 68 and if the air conditioning is 72 in the summer, set it to 74. Just a couple of degrees can make a sizable dent in the amount of energy you consume while also reducing your electric bill.
Appliances and More
Many modern appliances feature energy saving modes, for example, the dishwasher may air dry the dishes rather than heat them dry. Air dry doesn't require power, heated dry does. Avoid using the clothes dryer in the heat of the day, reserving it instead for very early or very late when the generated heat will not affect the internal temperature of the house too greatly. Consider air drying some clothing to avoid prolonged use of the dryer.
Unplug the little appliances in the kitchen that you are not using. The toaster doesn't need to be plugged in 24 hours a day nor does the coffee maker. Wash clothes with cold water rather than hot and turn off the water in the sink if you're not standing there using it.
Turn off the automatic sprinklers and use them only when necessary. Imagine how many times you've driven past someone's house with their sprinklers on in the pouring rain. It's a waste of water and electricity that occurs when the automatic settings are not turned off.
Shut down computers and printers overnight unless for some reason a process is running. Shutting down will save you 8 to 10 hours of energy consumption that is otherwise wasted because the machine sits idle, just burning up power for no reason.
Energy Conservation Tips Make Sense
Conserving energy is as simple as flipping off a light switch and unplugging a toaster. It helps to protect natural resources while also reducing utility bills. While not everyone will think about the environment, almost everyone will protect their bottom line.
