5 Ways to Reduce Your Home’s Energy Consumption

Home owners need to focus on becoming more eco-friendly. Recycling should also be a major concern. You can also do your bit by being conscious of your home’s energy consumption. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to cut down on your energy usage and save money at the same time. Do your bit for the environment by following these 5 simple, yet effective tips:

Unplug It!

Unplug any items that you no longer regularly use. Do you have a spare refrigerator in the garage that is empty? Unplug it! Do you keep phone chargers plugged in when you are not actually using them? Unplug them! The same applies to televisions that are left on standby. While it may seem like a money saving setting, it can actually still be the equivalent of running a light bulb continuously.

Hibernate Mode on Computers

Another top tip is to change the settings on your computer or laptop so that it automatically goes into a hibernation mode after you have not used it for a set period of time. This hibernating mode saves on energy costs, while it also allows you to instantly access your computer when you need to use it again. Windows users can find this setting in the control panel, while Mac users will find it under the preferences section in the main menu.

Turn it Off!

While this is common sense, it’s amazing just how much energy is wasted due to lights being left on. Always remind yourself to flick off the lights when you are leaving the room. You can also hold a family meeting to make sure that everyone knows to turn the lights off when they are not needed. This small step can save a lot of money in the long run.

Know How to Use Appliances

When using home appliances, there are a few tips that will help you to cut down on energy usage.

● Only ever use your dishwasher and washing machine when there is a full load.

● Try and keep the oven door closed when cooking to prevent heat from escaping.

● Check the seals on your refrigerator to make sure that no cold air is escaping.

● Set your refrigerator between 38 and 43 degrees. Any colder and it will be using an unnecessary amount of energy to cool your food.

Energy Ratings

When purchasing new appliances, always check what energy rating they have. All new appliances should come with an energy efficiency rating that lets you know how much power they are likely to use. By choosing items with a good energy efficiency rating, you will be cutting your energy usage and cutting costs too.

There are loads of energy saving tips available. Follow several of these tips and you will be doing your bit for the environment as well as reducing your energy consumption and saving money on your bills. Good luck!

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