Hey there, are you looking for ways to conserve energy at home?

If yes, we are glad you are here. And you will be glad that you made your stop here.

If your electricity bill is coming back too high, it is time to learn ways to save energy at home. And even more interestingly, while you are at this, you will be giving the planet some love.

So, we wrote this article for you, whether you want to save energy for your pocket, for the planet, or both.

And the good thing is that these are easy ways to conserve energy at home. Nothing ridiculous or out of this world; things you can easily adapt to. We are not looking to make your life uncomfortable; we are looking to help you comfortably preserve energy.

Let’s get straight into the top ways to conserve energy at home.

1. Install a programmable thermostat

You can set your programmable thermostat to automatically turn off when asleep or away.

This is an excellent way to minimize wasteful heating and cooling.

A programmable thermostat can save you up to an incredible $180 per year. This may seem like a small amount at the onset. However, the thing with energy consumption is the small amounts finally add to ridiculously high energy bills.

Another thing about a programmable thermostat is it may indicate when you need to change your air filters.

2. Upgrade your HVAC System

An HVAC system is composed of:

• heating,
• ventilation
• and air conditioning.

Did you know that heating alone can make up to 40% of your energy consumption? This can worsen if your system is old and not heating efficiently. If you have had your heating system for more than a decade, maybe it is time to upgrade.

Air conditioning does not consume as much energy as heating. It may take up to approximately 6% of the total usage. However, you still want to ensure that it is still energy efficient.

As you upgrade your air conditioner, go for a system with SEER ratings of more than 18. They may be pricier but will significantly reduce energy costs in the long run.

For heating, go for an HSPF rating of 8-10.

3. Regularly Replace or Clean Your Air Filters

We recommend that you clean or replace your air filters regularly. Clean filters are efficient and would save you some money on your electricity bill.

This is because they minimize the strain on the air conditioning equipment. Besides, having clean air filters will save you from the headache of damaged air conditioners.

Constant strain on the system eventually damages the HVAC system. 

If you have neglected your AC filters for long, a simple search of “AC repairs near me” can have a professional fix everything for you. 

4. Ensure Right Positioning of Your Air Conditioner

Where is your HVAC system placed?

You do not want to have it closer to the hotter regions of your house. For instance, if you have it near your TV, it will always detect the hot temperature. This will make it run for longer than it needs to.

Your AC running for longer means it is drawing more power.

You want to ensure that it runs for just as much as needed. Therefore, ensure that your AC is far from appliances that heat up. Also, avoid locations in generally warmer rooms such as the kitchen and the bathroom.

If the sun is directly shining on your heating and cooling system through the window, you may want to look into that.

During your regular AC servicing, be sure to ask your local HVAC expert whether your AC is well-positioned. 

5. Go Solar

Installing solar panels is one good tip of energy conservation at home. And even more appealing, it is an excellent step towards living a sustainable lifestyle. If you have been thinking of using renewable energy sources, investing in solar panels would be an excellent step.

We recommend that you get solar for energy intensive appliances such as heating and cooling.

Installing a solar HVAC system may be expensive upfront. However, it can reduce energy consumption by half.

If you search for a “heating and cooling service near me”, you can have professional advice on installation of solar HVAC systems. This way, you will offset the largest bill which is heating. 

6. Ensure There are no Air Leaks from the ductwork

Air leaks from your ductwork are one of the top energy wastes.If you are looking for how to conserve power at home, you need to ensure that there are no air leaks. 

If treated air keeps leaking from your AC system, the set temperature will take longer.

You do not want your HVAC system to draw power for no good reason.

If you suspect air leaks in your ductwork, be sure to get AC servicing.

7. Use a Fireplace if you Have one

If you have a fireplace, make good use of it. In winter, you could use it instead of using your electric heater.

Sometimes, using your furnace alongside your heater lowers the energy bill. This combination is good, especially because heat distribution from a fireplace can be a challenge.

8. Keep Thermostat Setting on the Lower side

Have your thermostat in the lowest comfortable setting. Lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees can save you up to 10% of your heating bill.

One good time to lower the thermostat setting is while going to sleep. Try having it at around 63 degrees Fahrenheit before your bedtime.

9. Use Blackout Curtains

Windows are great avenues for natural lighting and incredible views. However, direct sunlight can dramatically increase the heat of your house.

A good solution for this is to invest in a blackout curtain. Using blackout curtains while you are out would help keep your house cool.

This will save your air conditioning from fighting against the fierce sun rays.

10. Turn off AC when not at home

When headed out, turn off your HVAC system. Why would you leave it on when you are stepping out? We get it; you want to come home to a warm house.

However, with a programmable thermostat, you can set the system to start running shortly before you arrive home. Otherwise, you can physically switch your system when you get back home.

11. Use Ceiling Fans

Using the ceiling fan will help reduce the usage of the air conditioner.

A ceiling fan does not cool the air. It creates a windy or chilly effect in the air. 

This makes you feel cooler than the actual temperature. Therefore, you will not need the air conditioner to keep running.

A ceiling fan uses less energy than an HVAC system. If you want to save energy, use it to reduce AC use.

12. Keep Air Vents Free from blockages

When you have clogged air vents, the AC will struggle to reach the set temperature on HVAC.

Your HVAC system will have to work twice as hard to achieve the desired temperatures. Always ensure the vents are clear to make it easier for the HVAC system.

13. Use Microwave Instead of Stove

Reheating food is one energy-taxing process. Many people choose to reheat their food on stoves because apparently, stoves retain the flavor of the food.

However, stoves are way less energy efficient than microwaves. If you would love to save some energy in the kitchen, we recommend that you heat your food using a microwave.

Also, an oven generally heats the house. This means that you may have to run your air conditioner after using your oven.

14. Use Natural Light

Lighting accounts for a significant amount of your electricity bills. One good way to cut down on this is to use natural light as much as possible.

It is much better to have windows facing the north or south rather than the east or west.

North or south facing windows allow in more glancing light in summer. And, they prevent harsh light in winter.

East and west facing windows allow in too much direct sunlight while still bringing in too much heat.

15. Replace your bulbs with LED lights

If you are using incandescent bulbs, it is time to let go of them. It is time to go for energy efficient light bulbs.

Did you know that the energy consumption of LED lights is 75% less than that of conventional incandescent lights?

Also, they last at least 25 times more than regular bulbs.

If you have no LED lights yet, it is time to get them. They come with good economic benefits you will enjoy.

16. Adjust your Day to Day behaviors

When walking out of the room, switch those lights off.

While not watching TV, ensure it is off.

Such small behavioral changes could help save some dollars on your bills.

17. Install Weather Efficient Windows

Weather efficient windows help increase the temperatures on the inside without increasing the condensation.

One good option is wooden windows. They offer the best insulating property. You can also explore other window types that are good for heat retention.

18. Reduce your Heating Expenses

Your heating expenses take a considerable percentage of your energy bill.

Therefore, if you want to lower your energy bill, you need to lower your heating practice or make it more energy efficient.

19. Use Cold Water for Laundry

While doing your laundry, choose the cold water setting. Only use the hot water setting when you need it.

Always doing your laundry with the cold water will save you up to $115 per year(1). With this amount, this can easily go as one of the best ways to conserve energy at home.

20. Insulate Your Home

Insulating your home helps keep the heat on the inside.

It lowers heat flow resistance, therefore lowering heat and cooling expenses. It keeps heat inside the house during winter and outside during summer. This will also improve your comfort in the house.

Contact a professional to have your walls and cavities for your house.

21. Dress Weather Appropriately Even at Home

Yes, bundle up during winter.

Use a blanket, socks and sweaters while sitting at home. If you dress warmly, you will less likely need to heat your house. And if you need it, not as much as when you have less clothing.

22. Cook Using the Right Sized burner

Ensure the size of your cooking pots corresponds to the size of your burner.

Too large burners for small pots is total energy waste.

The solution to this is to get cooking pots and pans that match the size of your burners. Avoid using too small pans for huge burners at all costs.

23. Use Energy Efficient Appliances

While purchasing appliances, we recommend that you go for the most energy efficient. If you can get appliances with a good energy star rating, the better for you.

A lot of times, energy efficient appliances are more expensive. However, with the lower monthly energy bills, you will save much more.

24. Do Full Load for both laundry and Dishes

Wait to have a full load before doing the dishes or the laundry.

A whole load makes good use of the energy. Whether you run a full or half load, the exact amount of energy is used. You are, therefore, better off waiting till you have a full load.

This way, you will run your machine less.

25. Use Smart Power Strips

Get a power strip as one of the simple ways to conserve energy at home.

A lot of power is wasted in devices plugged in but not in use. However, with a power strip, you can minimize this energy wastage.

A power strip will allow you to control devices that are on standby and prevent electricity usage by chargers, small appliances like toasters, and other devices while you are not using them.

26. Cook with a Lid on

Always cover your food while cooking.

The lid keeps the heat in the pan; where it is needed. It prevents the heat from escaping into the air. This shortens the cooking time and, therefore, conserves the energy used in cooking.

27. Take Shorter Showers

Try to take showers less than 10 minutes long. Many shower heads release over 20 liters of water in a minute.

If you spend more than 15 minutes in the shower daily, you use too much water and electricity.

Try making the showers as short as possible.

28. Use Low Flow Faucets and Shower Heads

Go for faucets and shower heads of less than 8 liters per minute. Your water heater does not have to heat too much water.

This is an excellent trick to save on both water and electricity bills.

29. Install a timer for your Water Heater

A timer will automatically turn off your water heater, say at night or when you are not at home.

It will also let you not when you are going beyond your set limit.

30. Unplug battery chargers when not in use

Ensure you plug all devices after you have done charging. Sometimes, the devices keep drawing energy even after the charging or usage is done.

31. Landscaping

Often, we know that proper landscaping is for the beauty of the home.

However, properly placed trees, ground cover and shrubs is one of the ways to conserve energy at home. They are good heat insulators that minimize heat loss during winter. You, therefore, will not need as much heating.

In summer, the windy breeze from the trees is an excellent cooling asset.

32. Clean your Refrigerator Coil

The refrigerator coil cools and condenses the refrigerant. However, over time, dirt accumulates on the coil’s surface. With dirt build up, the coils fail to release heat effectively. In this situation, the compressor has to work harder than it should. Through this, it uses more energy and even shortens the lifespan of your fridge.

33. Cover bare floors

Ceramic tiles and natural stone feel cold to step on during winter.

If you have ceramic tile floors, you may want to carpet any bare floors. This way, you won’t get cold quickly and won’t need as much heating.

34. Put Motion Detectors on Outdoor Lights

Many people leave the outdoor lights on all night long. This is such an energy waste when nobody is using it.

We recommend that you install motion detectors. This way, the lights will switch on when they are needed.

35. Ensure the Fridge and Freezers are Firmly Closed

Always ensure the doors of your fridge and freezer are tightly closed. Even a tiny opening lets out the cool air and in warmer air.

Your fridge will have to cool repeatedly and, therefore, use up too much energy as needed.

36. Shower with cooler water

Go for the coolest comfortable setting when showering. This will help you lower the water heating costs.

37. Use your Phone on Energy Saving Mode

The little things such as using your phone in energy saving mode can help save energy. You will not need to charge your phone as much as before. It is even a plus if everyone in your household adopts this simple energy saving habit.

38. Always Shut Down your Computer

Many times, people leave their computers on after use. It is a habit that consumes more energy than you may know.

After using your computer, ensure you completely shut it down and even unplug it.

39. Bake with glass or ceramic pans

Glass and ceramic are better at energy conservation than metallic cooking dishes. With this, you can lower your cooking temperature in the oven by even 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then, due to their high heat retention, you can turn off the oven 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time. The food continues cooking in the heat retained in the glass or ceramic material. You, however, have to keep the oven door closed.

40. Turn off the water when brushing, washing hands or shaving

While brushing, shaving or lathering your hands with soap, many people forget to turn off the faucet. First, it may seem just like water wastage. However, if it is hot or warm water, you waste energy.

Many times, if you are looking for ways to conserve energy at home, you should start by regulating your water usage. Many times, they go hand in hand.

41. Switch From your Old Desktop to a Laptop

A desktop uses almost twice as much energy as a laptop. Remember, with a desktop, sometimes; you have to plug in speakers and other accessories, which take up more energy.

Typically, desktops consume at least 200 watts per hour. On the other hand, many laptops consume up to 100 watts per hour(2).

42. Fix Leaky Faucets

Ensure that all the faucets in your house are in good condition if you are looking for ways to conserve energy at home.

If they are leaky, you keep wasting both energy and water. Also, always ensure that the faucet is firmly closed after every use.

43. Let Go of that old TV

Yes, that old TV is probably consuming too much energy than newer models.

For instance, older CRT TVs consume around 1.5 watts per minute while on standby. However, newer LCDs consume less than a watt. This difference can add up and significantly change your energy bill.

It is time to upgrade your TV.

44. Reduce Kitchen Heat in Summer

You may soon need to keep your air conditioner on with too much kitchen heating.

One way to reduce kitchen heat in summer is to eat more salads. Also, you can have frequent cookouts to avoid heating the house.

You can also use your microwave more and your stove less. This helps keep the house temperatures low.

45. Install Mirrors to bounce light

If you want to increase the natural lighting in the house, go for the big mirrors. Place a mirror opposite or beside a window. With this, no matter how gray the sky is, your room will always be bright.

You will not need to use lights during the day when you have big mirrors.

46. Lightly-painted walls

Lightly coloured walls are suitable for maximizing energy efficiency. They reflect heat more than dull coloured walls.

With lightly coloured walls, you will not need to turn on the lights during the daytime.

Also, other than being energy efficient, lighter coloured walls make the room look brighter, larger and more open.

47. Don’t Rinse Dishes before Loading them into the Dishwasher

Yes, this is a habit you need to let go of. You can remove the debris but not rinse the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

This is like using energy twice, in the warm water you use to rinse and in the dishwasher.

48. Lower blinds

When it is hot, you can lower your blinds. This lowers the amount of heat that penetrates your house.

You will lower energy usage in heating and cooling when your house temperatures are maintained where you want them.

49. Upgrade to a more efficient water heater

For how long have you had your water heater?

Yes, we know the price of a new water heater can be high. With this, many homeowners get tempted to retain their old heater for ages. However, if you take the leap, you will save so much in return.

Why do you need to replace the water heater? First, water has minerals. The accumulation of minerals deteriorates the performance of the heater. Also, the build-up lowers the heat transfer to the water. This means that your water heater takes longer to heat the water.

While purchasing a water heater, go for energy efficiency. We recommend that you go for heaters with energy star ratings.

50. Don’t open the oven door when food is baking or cooking

We get the temptation to constantly open the oven and check on the cooking food.

First, some foods like cake can negatively affect cooking. However, opening the oven lets out the hot air and cold air. This means that your oven has to run longer to reacquire the lost heat.

Use a timer instead to know when to open the oven.

51. Do not Dilly Dally in front of an open fridge

Now, this is a behavior that you should drop if you are looking for ways to conserve energy at home.

Do not take so long rummaging through your fridge. Leaving your open fridge lets cool air out and warm air in.

Therefore, your fridge has to constantly work extra to cool the air again. Therefore, take what you need quickly and close the fridge every time.

52. Use leftover heat for cooking and ironing

While cooking, or ironing, there will always be excess heat at the end of the session.

Therefore, a few minutes before you finish cooking or ironing, switch off the appliance and finish up with the excess heat.

53. Use pressure cookers for food that take longer

If you are cooking food that takes a long, you are better off cooking with a pressure cooker.

Pressurized cooking takes a shorter period, thus saving energy.

54. Defrost in open air or fridge

Another of the ways to conserve energy at home is defrosting in the open.

Instead of defrosting directly in your microwave, why not put the food in the fridge or on the counter and let it defrost?

Plan what you are eating in advance, and defrost it on the counter. This will save you some energy from using a microwave.

55. Heat just the right amount of water

Many times, people need just a cup of hot water. They, however, go ahead and heat a whole kettle of water, then use just a single cup of water.

Then leave the rest of the water to just cool on the counter. See the energy wastage going on there?

Just heat the exact amount of water you need. There is no need to heat too much water; use a quarter of it, and leave the rest to cool on the counter.

56. Insulate your water heater

Water heater insulation can lower standby heat loss by 25-45%. This can lower your water heating costs by 16%

The cost of installing insulation should pay for itself in a few months.

57.Organize your Ironing

First, we recommend that you iron maybe your week’s clothes at once.

Ironing every morning is such an energy waster. First, this is because iron boxes retain and lose a lot of heat after the ironing session. You do not want to lose this amount every day.

Also, it is better to start with lighter clothes that need less heat while ironing. As the iron becomes hotter, you can get on thicker fabrics that need more heat.

58. Insulate your Pipes

Finally on ways to conserve energy at home is to insulate pipes.

Insulating domestic pipes is an excellent way to prevent heat loss between the water heater and the faucet.

Insulate your home pipes to prevent heat loss. Insulation also protects pipes from freezing during winter and also prevents pipe burns when pipes are exposed.

Final Thoughts

There we go with ways to save energy at home. As you can see, these are simple steps you can take. They will, however, considerably cut down your energy consumption. And even more importantly, you can cut your carbon footprint.

As we have stated, it is clear that heating takes so much energy. Get heating repair to ensure that your system is in good working condition. A faulty AC takes up so much more energy than it should. 

Adapt these steps of conserving energy. Your pocket will be happy, and the planet will appreciate these energy savings steps.

Sources

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/energy_savers.pdf

https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/blog/12-easy-ways-to-save-energy/