Cutting down on your energy bill is a year-round endeavor and takes far less effort than you may think!
In fact, some of our tips are “one and done” methods, you can forget until you see that lower dollar amount on your next bill!
1. Laundry
You could be wasting serious dollars just from running countless small loads — stick to full or near capacity loads to reduce water waste. It may take a bit of planning on your part, but the payoff amounts to real dollars.
Pro Tips:
- Clean out your lint tray to reduce drying time.
- Air-dry your clothes on a rack or line.
- Turn down the temperature for not so dirty clothes (around 103° F).
2. Cooking
Did you know convection ovens use up to 20% less energy than conventional ovens? The rotating fans encourage a more even distribution of heat and require less energy to heat up.
Pro Tips:
- Keep your pans on appropriately-sized burners — avoid using the biggest burner for just a small pot or pan.
- Cover your pots and pans with a lid to heat food faster.
- In a conventional oven, keep your food on the top rack, where it gets hotter and will cook faster.
3. Daylighting
The sun is your best friend when it comes to sustainable and FREE lighting.
Pro Tips:
- Install skylights in the most used rooms of your home, such as the living room, kitchen or office.
- Install light shelves, which are designed to bounce light into a room or space.
- Clerestory windows are long, narrow windows positioned high on the wall to allow light into your home.
4. Heating & Cooling
Heating and cooling can account for nearly 50% of household energy bills meaning it’s in your best interest to utilize alternative methods to regulate your home’s temperature while keeping cost low.
Pro Tips:
- Ceiling fans are a great way to cut down on energy costs in comparison to air conditioning.
- Adjust the thermostat when you go out of town or when no one is home.
- Draw the curtains at night to insulate your room or during the day to block out excessive sunlight.
- Consider a programmable thermostat that you can set to adjust the temperature at night or when no one is home.
5. Insulation
A well-sealed and insulated home can improve air quality and cut down considerably on energy costs.
Pro Tips:
- Focus on the attic where air leaks are most prevalent.
- Consult an energy auditor to identify areas of your home with the greatest air leakage.
- Weatherstrip your windows and doors.
- Replace or repair rotted, leaky or cracked windows and panes.
6. Appliances
ENERGY STAR-rated appliances are a smart choice when it comes to kitchen appliances, TVs, home entertainment systems, speaker and more.
Pro Tips:
- Unplug chargers and adapters when not in use.
- Consider a laptop instead of a desktop, as it requires considerably less energy.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers out of direct sunlight and away from the stove, dishwasher or heat vents.
Which of our pro energy-saving tips do you use in your home? We hope you’ve found some useful new tips and keep that energy bill low!
