There are many ways the eco conscious homeowners can reduce energy consumption at home and cut down on the monthly energy bills. Simple things like switching over to energy efficient products, taking control of the thermostat and unplugging electronics that are not in use, can make a whole lot of difference. These basic things will not only save you money, but will also help you do your bit for the environment.
Set your thermostat
It is an obvious fact that if you keep heat lower, lesser energy will be used. You might find it strange, but lowering the thermostat even a bit can save you as much as four percent on your energy bill for every degree your lower it to. For this the best way out is to use a programmable thermostat, which you can lower during the night and eventually reduce your energy consumption by around 10-15 percent.
Don’t heat the whole house
To save energy consumption you should not heat your entire house. Heating just those portions of the house that are being used by you will save you energy. Shut all rooms that are not being used, like the guest room, etc. and use water pipes for heating rooms, as they save energy and are safer.
Wash cloths with the cold/cold setting and use full loads
While using a washing machine for washing your clothes, you must set the washer on “cold/cold” settings. The washing can be made more effective if you use the right detergent that works well with cold water. Also, you should use full load for efficient consumption of water.
Adjust water heaters down to 126 degrees
Hot water heaters set at high temperatures are quite hazardous and energy consuming as well. These heaters will keep the water more hot than is requires for comfortable use. This unnecessary hotness of water will lead to an unnecessary consumption of electricity. Therefore, you must set your water heaters to a temperature up to 126 degrees.This temperature ensures hot and bacteria free water while preserving energy adequately.
Unplug computers, TVs and other electronic appliances when not in use
Even after switching off an electric device, if the cord is still plugged to the socket it will continue to draw electricity. This energy is not consumed and goes waste. Therefore, it is necessary to unplug every electrical gadget that makes use of energy when not in use including, TV’s and VCR’s, computers, etc..
