Ten Steps to Conserving Electricity

If you’re looking for a way to lighten your carbon footprint, try cutting back on your use of electricity. By making a few simple changes, you can reduce your home and business electricity use considerably with little effect on your comfort level. These ten steps will curtail your electricity use and lower your power bill too.

1. Trade in your old appliances for newer energy efficient units. Energy Star rated appliances are 75 percent more efficient than older appliances. You could also earn a discount on your bill from your local power company. Some government-based programs offer a rebate if you buy an appliance that conserves electricity.

2. When you leave a room, turn off the lights. When you turn off your TV, unplug it or turn it off via a power strip that controls several items like lamps, VCRs and computers. TVs and other appliances that turn on immediately remain partially turned on even when they’re not in use. The only way to stop the flow to your computer is to cut it off at the source. This is a great way to conserve business electricity as well.

3. Make sure your home’s insulation is plentiful and in good shape. If necessary, insulate behind the walls with loose fibreglass and wrap insulation blankets around your water heater. Better insulation will keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

4. Throw away your incandescent light bulbs and buy new compact florescent light bulbs. They may cost more, but they’ll pay for themselves with lower power bills. Florescent bulbs have a longer lifespan, brighter light and use less energy.

5. Adapt to new thermostat settings. During winter, set your heater at 68 degrees F during the day and 55 degrees F during the night. In the summer, set the thermostat at 78 degrees.

6. Swap out your old-fashioned single-pane windows for argon-filled windows with double layers of glass. You can also use reflective thermal shades to deflect direct sunlight in the summer.

7. If you live in a colder locale, paint your home in a dark colour. If you live in a hot zone, paint it white. It also helps to plant shade trees to block the sun.

8. Use cold water to wash your clothing. Use your clothes dryer sparingly. Hang your laundry outside to dry whenever possible.

9. Don’t turn on your dishwasher unless it’s full. If it has an energy saver setting, use it. Setting the dishes out to dry can save 20 percent of the energy use per cycle.

10. Lower the thermostat on your water heater. You won’t notice it if you reduce the temperature to 120 degrees F. For every ten degrees you lower the thermostat, you save hundreds of pounds of CO2 every year if you have an electric water heater.

These ten simple steps will have a dramatic impact on your power bill. It doesn’t take long to adapt to new Earth-friendly settings, especially when you’re saving money. How low can you go?

This post was written by a guest contributor. About the Author:

My name is Valentina DeCicco, a part time energy consultant, I’ve blogged for over three years with particular focus on writing pieces about how you can save on business electricity. I also love to write about travelling, home making tips, where to eat.

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Please note that these hints and tips are provided for your interest and ease of reference only. We cannot accept any responsibility for any advice or information contained in them.