74 Creative Ways to Lower Energy Bills and Save Electricity
Are you tired of high energy bills month after month? Want to learn how you can do your part in reducing your carbon footprint and saving the planet?
Saving energy at home is a great place to start. The good news is that there are many simple and creative ways to lower your energy bills and save electricity.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at 74 creative ways to lower your energy bills and save electricity. From simple habits like turning off lights when you leave a room to investing in energy-efficient appliances, there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference.
Whether you’re looking to save a few dollars on your monthly bills or you want to do your part in reducing energy consumption, this guide has something for everyone.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into 74 creative ways to lower your energy bills and save electricity!
Easy ways to save energy
- LED lights use upto 55% less energy than their CFL counterpart
1. Start with upgrading your insulation to help prevent inside ambient temperature loss to outside. So your home stays cool/warm for longer.
2. “Make use of weather stripping to seal any gaps around doors and windows to prevent the entry of cold/hot drafts from outside,” suggest breathebetterair.
3. Use energy-saving light bulbs, such as LEDs, to reduce the energy used for lighting.
4. Use a timer to turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used.
5. Implement energy-efficient chargers.
6. Unplug chargers when they’re not in use, as they continue to draw power even when they’re not charging anything.
7. You can use a power strip to turn off multiple devices at once when they’re not in use.
8. Use a Smart Power Strip that can detect when devices are not in use and turn them off to save energy.
9. Use a power strip for your television and turn it off when not in use.
10. Consider using a drying rack or clothesline rather than a clothes dryer that uses electricity, especially on sunny days.
11. Trane advises setting the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to reduce energy use.
12. Take shorter showers to conserve water and reduce the energy used for hot water.
14. Close air vents in unused rooms if you have central AC to avoid cooling or heating unused spaces
15. Set the temperature of your refrigerator to between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
16. Defrost your freezer regularly to maintain maximum efficiency.
17. Clean the coils and condenser on your refrigerator regularly to ensure it runs efficiently.
18. Use a drying rack to air-dry your dishes instead of using the dishwasher’s drying cycle.
19. You can use the “Air Dry” feature instead of your dishwasher’s “heated dry” to save energy.
20. Washing clothes in cold water can also add up to your energy saving apart from reducing the wear and tear of your clothes.
21. EnergySafe says cleaning the lint filter in your clothes dryer after every use makes it more efficient in energy use.
22. Set your computer to “sleep” mode instead of leaving it on all day.
23. Additionally, set your television to “sleep” mode when not in use.
24. Use a power-saving mode on your computer.
25. Turn off your computer when you’re not using it – that will be the best.
26. Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer whenever possible and save more energy.
27. Playing games on a laptop rather than a PC is more energy-efficient, as gaming is power-intensive.
Creative ways to save energy
28. Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation and keep the water warm.
29. You can use a slow or pressure cooker instead of the stove or oven, which uses more energy.
30. Use a microwave instead of a conventional oven whenever possible, especially to cook small meals.
31. Use natural light instead of artificial light whenever possible.
32. Try only to wash full loads of laundry and dishes whenever possible.
33. Using a fan instead of air conditioning when it’s cooler outside can help make tonnes of savings.
34. Minimize television watching time.
35. Use an outdoor grill instead of an indoor stove for cooking food in the summer.
36. Go ahead and Install solar panels to generate your own electricity and enjoy federal rebates.
Advanced ways to save energy
37. Consider Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water use and energy required to heat the water.
38. Use a water-saving toilet to reduce water waste.
39. And if the toilet is pressure-assisted, then even better.
40. Install low-flow faucets in your kitchen and bathroom.
41. You can install a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering plants or washing cars.
42. Consider using a programmable thermostat to control your heating and cooling system.
43. Make sure air vents are not blocked, which can reduce heating and cooling efficiency.
44. Clean or replace your HVAC system’s air filter every three months.
45. Insulate your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and improve hot water delivery.
46. Consider a complete makeover of your water heater to make it more energy-efficient.
47. You can install a tankless water heater to provide hot water on demand instead of traditional storage tank water heaters. For starters, here are the best tankless water heaters that you can choose from.
48. Install a solar water heater to save money on water heating if you live in Florida or other hot southern regions.
49. Consider using a heat pump to heat your home, a highly efficient alternative to traditional heating systems.
50. Depending on your region, you can set up a geothermal heating and cooling system, which uses the earth’s stable temperature to heat and cool your home.
51. Consider installing a whole-house fan to cool your home naturally and reduce the need for air conditioning.
52. Install a roof-mounted vent to allow hot air to escape from your attic.
53. And install attic insulation to reduce heat loss in the winter, which is gained in the summer.
54. Have your attic equipped with a radiant barrier to reduce heat transfer between the outside and inside of your home.
55. Consider installing a skylight to bring natural light into a dark room.
56. Set up dimmer switches to control the brightness of lights, allowing you to adjust the lighting levels based on the time of day or activity in the room.
57. Use draft stoppers to prevent drafts from coming in through doors and windows.
58. Fix leaky taps to prevent unnecessary water wastage that also burdens your water bill.
59. Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity in your home.
60. Replace single-paned windows with double or triple-paned windows to increase energy efficiency.
61. Install window coverings or tinting to reduce solar heat gain in the summer and retain heat in the winter.
62. Using a hand-held garden hose instead of a powered one can conserve more water.
63. Use a hose nozzle to control the flow of water when you’re washing your car.
64. Plant trees or install shading devices on your home’s south and west sides to block direct sunlight and reduce the heat entering your home.
65. Utilize a toaster oven instead of a full-sized oven.
66. Purchase Energy Star-certified appliances and electronics to ensure they meet energy efficiency standards. Replace old, less efficient ones if needed.
67. Make use of a broom instead of a vacuum cleaner clean floors.
68. Also, use a cordless drill instead of a corded drill.
69. Use a hand-crank can opener instead of an electric can opener.
70. Consider using a manual lawn mower instead of an electric lawn mower and save energy. Beware, it’s physically intense work.
71. You can use a push mower instead of a riding mower – it’s a bit more physical work but save energy and keep you fit.
72. Rake can be ideal for energy savers over a leaf blower – intense work alert.
73. Invest in a Smart Home Energy Management System.
74. Learn more about how much electricity tankless water heater use and what it means for your savings.
Why should you save energy? – The benefits
Saving energy is beneficial for many reasons beyond just lowering your bills. Here are some of the benefits of reducing your energy consumption:
- Environmental benefits: Reducing energy consumption limits the number of carbon emissions in the environment. Carbon emissions play a significant role in climate change, which is thought to be the cause of powerful natural disasters in recent years. Energy optimization can improve mental and physical health by reducing stress levels, improving air quality, and increasing comfort.
- Personal benefits: By reducing your use of fossil fuels, you can also enhance your fitness level, keep cardiovascular diseases at bay, and live a healthier lifestyle. For instance, using a manual lawn mover instead of an electric can save energy and keep you fit by making you more physically active.
- Financial benefits: Optimizing your energy use can result in reduced costs. Using less electricity and gas in the home will make your utility bills smaller. In addition, investing in energy-saving appliances, windows, or low-energy technologies can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
- Government rebates: Many governments offer incentives for individuals and businesses that take steps to reduce their energy consumption. These rebates can help offset the cost of energy-saving improvements and encourage more people to adopt energy-efficient practices. For example, many governments offer tax credits for energy-efficient appliances, home upgrades, or incentives for using alternative energy sources like solar power.
- Increased comfort and convenience: Energy-efficient upgrades such as programmable thermostats or low-flow showerheads can help improve indoor comfort and convenience while reducing energy consumption. For example, a programmable thermostat can automatically adjust your home’s temperature to match your schedule, helping save energy and money.
Saving energy is not just about lower bills, but it also has personal, environmental, financial, and health benefits. Reducing your energy consumption can help conserve resources, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve your quality of life.
Over to you!
So there you have it, 74 easy, creative, and advanced ways to lower electricity consumption and kill your energy bill by 50% or more. From simple habits like turning off lights when leaving a room and using energy-saving light bulbs to more comprehensive solutions like investing in a programmable thermostat and installing insulation, there’s a wide range of strategies you can use to reduce your energy consumption.
The importance of saving energy cannot be overstated. It’s a cost-saving measure and a crucial step toward a sustainable future.
HomeWaterTech, encourage you to try out these 74 ways to save electricity and lower energy bills. By making small changes in our daily habits and investing in energy-efficient technologies, we can collectively positively impact our environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come. Do let us know how these tips work out for you. What’s your best tip to save energy? Do let us know in the comment below.
