Most of us are familiar with the standard ways to conserve energy like turning off the lights when we leave a room or setting our thermostats a little lower in the winter and higher in the summer. But there are a lot of other, lesser-known ways to conserve energy that can make a big difference in your energy consumption – and your energy bills! Here are 16 quick and simple ways to conserve energy in your home:
1. Get a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can save you a lot of money on your energy bill by automatically adjusting the temperature in your home to match your schedule.
2. Educate your family and friends about conserving energy. The more people you have on board with conserving energy, the more you’ll be able to save!
3. Educate yourself about conserving energy. The more you know about how and why to conserve energy, the better equipped you’ll be to make smart choices that save energy – and money.
4. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.
5. Turn off lights when you leave a room. This one is pretty simple – and it can save a lot of energy.
6. Use natural light. Whenever possible, open up your curtains and let the sun shine in. Not only will you save energy, but you’ll also get a dose of vitamin D!
7. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Even when they’re turned off, appliances can still use energy if they’re plugged in. So unplug them when you can.
8. Use a power strip. A power strip is a great way to conserve energy because you can easily turn off all your electronics with one switch.
9. Get a home energy audit. A home energy audit is an assessment of your home’s energy efficiency. It can help you identify ways to conserve energy and save money.
10. Seal up drafts. Drafty windows and doors can let a lot of heat – and money – escape from your home. So seal up any drafts with caulk or weatherstripping.
11. Insulate your home. Proper insulation is key to conserving energy and keeping your home comfortable all year long.
12. Use a space heater instead of a central heater. Space heaters are more energy-efficient than central heaters because they heat only the space they’re in, not the entire house.
13. Take shorter showers. Showering is one of the biggest energy users in the home. So take shorter showers to conserve water and energy.
14. Turn the water off when you’re not using it. This one is pretty self-explanatory – turn the water off when you’re not using it to save water and energy.
15. Use cold water to wash your clothes. Washing your clothes in cold water can save you a lot of energy.
16. Hang your clothes to dry. Air-drying your clothes is the most energy-efficient way to dry them.