How to save energy at home? More and more people are interested in different ways of saving energy at home. Sometimes, options require planning or initial investment. However, on other occasions, starting is very simple. A good starting point is to optimize the lighting of our houses. Saving light is available to everyone. Follow these 8 tips and start saving your bill today.
1) Choose Efficient Appliances as Long as You can
If we want to start saving light in our homes, we should use class-A appliances and make optimal use of each one. If you need to replace an appliance, choose one with a more efficient energy rating, such as A+, A++, or A+++. Although these models are often more expensive upfront, they will save you a significant amount on your electricity bill over time. In other words, at the end of their life, they are cheaper than the cheapest appliances.
2) Good Use of Appliances is Key to Savings
Using home appliances effectively is the key to electricity savings.
- Load your washing machine and dishwasher to capacity. Also, if you don’t need very hot water, washing at 40°C instead of 60°C can save up to 55% on your energy bill.
- Using pots and pans with the right diameter for each hob prevents heat. We can also optimize heat by putting the pot lid or cooking with the pressure cooker. These small details help us save significant energy annually.
3) Turn off the Light when Leaving a Room
Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room, the bathroom, or the kitchen. This simple act can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Of course, when leaving home, ensure all lights are switched off, particularly if you’re away for several hours or days.
Forever this myth that it costs more money on and off the lights than to leave them all the time. The switch is our ally when saving light at home.
4) Forget about the Stand-By
Did you know that the stand-by can be up to 10% of what you consume in light throughout the year?
Remember that televisions, computers, mobile phone chargers, hot water kettles, and even air conditioning units can be energy vampires when left plugged in.
Try to minimize the number of constantly plugged devices if you want to save light at home and pay less on your bill.
5) Use Low-Consumption Bulbs
A 6W bulb for an hour consumes 0.006 kWh (6 WH). Well, a 6W LED lamp illuminates more than a low-consumption bulb and will only consume 6Wh. That multiplied by the hours we have on the lights on, can involve significant savings at the end of the year.
6) Take Advantage of Sunlight
If your home’s orientation allows it, maximize natural light by placing study tables or reading areas near windows.
You can also use mirrors to reflect natural light, a strategy employed in ancient times. This simple technique can help us reduce energy consumption, lower bills, and protect the environment.
7) Optimal Temperature Control
A simple programmable thermostat can significantly reduce your energy bills by adjusting the temperature to suit your lifestyle, such as day/night, weekend, and vacation settings.
The ideal daytime temperature for your home is between 20°C and 23°C, while nighttime temperatures can be lowered to 15°C-17°C. Think about setting a timer to increase the temperature slightly before you wake up or return home.
It’s better to wear an extra layer of clothing to save energy and protect the environment than to increase the thermostat setting. A cosy sweater can help you stay warm and reduce your energy consumption.
8) Minimize Fridge Energy Consumption
The fridge is one of the most energy-consuming appliances. To maximize efficiency, set the interior temperature between 3 and 7 degrees Celsius and ensure the back of the appliance is well-ventilated and dust-free.
When cooking, prepare all your ingredients in advance to minimize the number of times you open the fridge. Each time the door is opened, cold air escapes and warm air enters, forcing the fridge to work harder to maintain its temperature. Avoid unnecessary and prolonged openings.
Lastly, keep it away from heat sources like ovens, microwaves, or direct sunlight. This will help prevent the compressor from constantly working and keep the fridge cool.
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