Quick Tips to Save Energy at Home
4 Simple, Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Energy
Developing energy-saving habits and shifting to energy-efficient appliances are two key steps in reducing your carbon footprint. Overall electricity production makes up about 37% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, making it one of the main contributors to climate change. Here are a few simple ways you can reduce your energy consumption (and save money):
01. Swap your lightbulbs
Not only does changing your lightbulbs to Energy Star bulbs help save the planet, but it also saves you money. That’s because Energy Star lightbulbs use 25%-80% less energy than traditional bulbs, and can last 3 to 25 times longer. By replacing the five most-used bulbs in your home, you can save up to $75 a year.
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star bulb, the amount of energy saved could light more than 3 million homes a year.
02. Fight vampires
Did you know that approximately 50 devices and appliances in the typical American household are always drawing power, even when they appear to be off? Often called “vampire devices” because they suck energy at all times, it is estimated that a quarter of all residential energy consumption is used when devices are in idle power mode. That means a fourth of your energy bill is likely going towards your devices when they are not actually “on” or in use. Nationally, this costs consumers more than $19 billion a year, And that’s not just bad news for your wallet; it’s also bad for the planet. Vampire devices and appliances that are in “off” or in standby/sleep mode use the equivalent of 50 large power plants’ worth of electricity per year. And these same power plants most often use dirty energy which contributes to climate change. However, there are a number of ways you can reduce the amount of power your devices and appliances draw, saving both money and the planet:
Unplug. Unplugging devices when they are not in use — particularly “vampire devices” which suck energy when they’re not in use or on (think TVs, microwaves, printers, DVD players, scanners, etc). How to detect a vampire device? If the charger feels warm to the touch, even when the device is off/idle, it’s likely sucking energy.
Use a power strip. Group devices together, like a computer and printer, and plug them into a power strip. Then you can turn them off when they’re not in use.
Charge during the day. Charge devices like your phone, laptop, and tablets during the day. Unplug once fully charged. Charging them at night means they will continue to draw unnecessary power once they are fully charged and you’re still sleeping. If you have a desktop computer, turn it off at night.
03. Switch your energy bill
Switch your energy bill to renewable energy if that’s available in your area. In cities like San Francisco, it now costs around $2 LESS and month to use 100% green energy in your home. Support the decarbonization of our grid by making a change. Check with your local energy company today to see if renewable energy is available in your area.
04. Look for Energy Star products
If you are in the market to upgrade or buy new household appliances, look for the Energy Star seal to ensure you’re making eco-conscious choices. Search the Energy Star website to search for products and to look for rebates.