101 maneras de ahorrar energía para un hogar energéticamente eficiente

La energía es algo que se ha dado por sentado durante siglos. Nuestros estilos de vida dependen tanto de la energía que la usamos incluso sin pensar. Desde cargar nuestros teléfonos hasta calentar nuestra agua, dependemos de un suministro de energía constante para satisfacer nuestras necesidades diarias. A pesar de los mayores esfuerzos para ahorrar energía, el cambio a energía limpia y renovable sigue siendo un trabajo en progreso. Los combustibles fósiles siguen siendo la principal fuente de energía para cumplir con nuestros requisitos energéticos, lo que contribuye significativamente al calentamiento global.

Los impactos del uso excesivo de energía se pueden sentir en todo el mundo con un aumento en la contaminación del aire, peligros para la vida silvestre y más. Ahorrar energía significa producir menos. Esto no solo puede disminuir nuestra huella de carbono, sino que también puede reducir significativamente nuestras facturas de servicios públicos. Al cambiar ciertos hábitos, podemos optar por marcar una diferencia que ayudará al medio ambiente y aumentará nuestros ahorros.

Existen numerosas formas en las que puede empezar a contribuir al ahorro de energía. Siendo un entusiasta de la tecnología inteligente, estamos asombrados de cómo la tecnología inteligente, como el aire acondicionado inteligente, puede ayudar a crear un impacto. Junto con esto, ¡siga leyendo para conocer 101 maneras en las que puede hacer que su hogar sea eficiente en energía y ahorrar energía para un mañana mejor!

101 Guía de ahorro de energía

1. Estadísticas sobre el consumo de energía
2. Consejos de tecnología y HVAC para ahorrar energía
3. Ideas de ahorro de energía para su hogar
4. Consejos de iluminación para ahorrar energía
5. Consejos de estilo de vida y comportamiento para ahorrar energía
6. Consejos para que tus electrodomésticos ahorren energía

Estadísticas sobre el consumo de energía

Antes de sumergirse en cómo puede ahorrar energía, es esencial ver por qué es necesario hacerlo. Ninguna de las siguientes cifras pinta una imagen bonita que hace que nuestro consumo de energía sea motivo de preocupación.

Se ha observado un aumento del 2,3 % en la demanda mundial de energía en 2018. En el año 2019, el consumo de energía primaria en EE. UU. fue de unos 100,2 cuatrillones de BTU. EE. UU. tiene menos del 5 % de la población mundial, pero sigue consumiendo el 17 % de la energía mundial.

Además, ¿sabía que el consumo de electricidad residencial en los EE. UU. es de 11,8 kilovatios-hora (kWh) por persona? Estados Unidos produce el 15 % de las emisiones de CO2 relacionadas con la energía del mundo. Esto hace que sea más esencial que nunca que empecemos a desempeñar un papel en el ahorro de energía.

Ya sea que esté buscando consejos para ahorrar energía para el invierno o el verano. Hay varias formas de ahorrar energía, que van desde simples ajustes de comportamiento hasta amplias mejoras en el hogar. Los hemos dividido en cinco categorías:tecnología, hogar, iluminación, cambios de estilo de vida y electrodomésticos.

Profundicemos en cada una de nuestras 101 ideas para ahorrar energía !

Consejos de tecnología y HVAC para ahorrar energía

1. Ahorre energía con tecnología ecológica

La tecnología verde no solo ahorra emisiones de carbono, sino también facturas de servicios públicos. Trate de ser ecológico siempre que sea posible. Puede tener un costo inicial alto, pero los costos de operación son más bajos. La incorporación de medidas ecológicas dentro de su hogar puede marcar una gran diferencia en sus facturas de energía.

Los paneles solares, los generadores eólicos, las bombas de calor geotérmicas son algunas de las formas en las que puede aprovechar la energía gratuita y aun así lograr comodidad y conveniencia.

2. Haz que tu hogar sea inteligente

Haga que su hogar sea inteligente y eficiente energéticamente con dispositivos domésticos inteligentes. La iluminación inteligente o la calefacción y refrigeración inteligentes, etc., pueden ayudar significativamente a reducir el desperdicio de energía. La tecnología inteligente no tiene por qué ser costosa; por ejemplo, los controladores de CA inteligentes pueden funcionar con cualquier acondicionador de aire sin conductos y equiparlo con funciones inteligentes, mientras que los termostatos inteligentes pueden combinarse con sistemas HVAC por conductos. Utilizando geofencing, programación, automatización, activadores basados ​​en condiciones y más funciones, puede mejorar fácilmente su comodidad y ahorrar energía. Así es como puede reducir sus facturas de CA con los controladores de CA inteligentes de Cielo.

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3. Uso de asistentes domésticos (Alexa/Google Home)

Los asistentes domésticos inteligentes como Google Home y Amazon Alexa integran toda la casa en una interfaz fácil de usar, lo que permite transiciones sin problemas y control de múltiples dispositivos con comandos de voz. Junto con la comodidad y la conveniencia, el ahorro de energía también es parte del paquete.

¡Con un comando de voz, puede apagar las luces, el aire acondicionado, la televisión y más! Incluso puede permitir que sus persianas aprendan que hace sol afuera, para que se abran durante un día de invierno y su calefacción pueda disminuir automáticamente para ahorrar energía.

4. Utiliza Electrodomésticos con Buena Calificación Energética

No todos los electrodomésticos son iguales. Incluso dentro de la misma categoría de electrodomésticos, diferentes fabricantes y modelos tendrían diferentes patrones de consumo de energía. Asegúrese de elegir el que tenga buenas calificaciones energéticas. Tal electrodoméstico tiene una mejor calidad de material, controles de calidad más estrictos y procesos de fabricación superiores.

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5. Esté atento a la calificación SEER al comprar electrodomésticos HVAC

SEER significa Relación de Eficiencia Energética Estacional. Es una medida de la eficiencia de una unidad. Una calificación SEER más alta significa una mayor eficiencia de los electrodomésticos y más ahorros de energía. Con regulaciones más estrictas del Departamento de Energía de los Estados Unidos, todos los sistemas de acondicionadores de aire divididos en los Estados Unidos, después de 2015, deben tener una calificación SEER de al menos 14. Pero hay electrodomésticos en el mercado con un SEER en el medio. 20 años, lo que lleva a un ahorro de energía aún mayor.

6. Utilice regletas de enchufes de ahorro de energía

Muchos dispositivos eléctricos continúan consumiendo energía incluso cuando están apagados o en modo de espera. Esto se debe a las "cargas fantasma". Por lo tanto, es una sabia decisión minimizar el consumo de energía cuidando la energía de reserva. Las funciones integradas en las regletas de enchufes de bajo consumo evitan que su electrodoméstico consuma energía cuando está apagado.

7. Cambiar al modo de ahorro de energía

La mayoría, si no todos, los electrodomésticos y dispositivos como aires acondicionados o teléfonos en estos días tienen un modo de ahorro de energía incorporado. Tomando el ejemplo de un AC, su unidad funcionará a baja potencia, con una velocidad y oscilación del ventilador reducidas. Con un uso de energía reducido pero aún con una temperatura agradable, esta es una situación en la que todos ganan. Si tiene un aire acondicionado inteligente o un control de aire acondicionado inteligente, puede usar funciones especiales de ahorro de energía y programación para ahorrar más.

8. Comprar dispositivos Energy Star

Energy Star es un programa de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos diseñado para promover productos energéticamente eficientes. Esta reducción en el consumo de energía se puede lograr de múltiples maneras, siendo las principales el uso de materiales menos intensivos en energía y tecnología moderna. En promedio, los aires acondicionados con certificación Energy Star pueden ahorrar hasta un 8 % en el consumo de energía en comparación con los aires acondicionados normales del mercado.

9. Elija opciones de energía solar

Después de la inversión inicial, los paneles solares se pueden utilizar como fuente de energía gratuita, con un mantenimiento mínimo requerido. El proceso de reemplazo de la batería debe realizarse cada tres años o más. Con los avances diarios en la tecnología solar, el costo inicial también se está reduciendo y los paneles solares se están convirtiendo en una opción de ahorro de energía cada vez más atractiva.

10. Programe inspecciones para su tecnología

El mantenimiento preventivo de todos los electrodomésticos puede ahorrarle dinero a largo plazo y contribuir al rendimiento eficiente de su dispositivo. El mantenimiento de HVAC de rutina es fundamental para el funcionamiento eficiente de su aire acondicionado.

11. Cambie regularmente los filtros de sus aparatos de calefacción y refrigeración

Si está utilizando deshumidificadores, acondicionadores de aire o cualquier equipo similar como paso inicial para el mantenimiento regular, debe limpiar los filtros a tiempo. Los filtros obstruidos pueden bloquear la entrada de aire de un acondicionador de aire, obligándolo a funcionar con una configuración de potencia más alta para mantener el mismo enfriamiento. Esto puede ser bastante costoso ya que genera un mayor consumo de energía y energía.

12. Uso de Deshumidificadores

Los deshumidificadores pueden ser una fuente significativa de comodidad y ahorro de energía si vive en un área increíblemente húmeda. La alta humedad te hace sentir tibio o caliente. Esto podría indicarle que haga funcionar el aire acondicionado al máximo, lo que puede consumir mucha energía.

Una solución a este problema es usar un deshumidificador. Reduce la humedad de la habitación a una fracción del consumo de energía de un acondicionador de aire. Reducing the humidity lowers the temperature a couple of degrees, hence, eliminating the need to use an air conditioner or thermostat at energy-intensified settings.

13. Adjust the Thermostat

The thermostat optimally controls the temperature and can help you save energy in all seasons.  Adjust your thermostat temperature in the summers between 73-78F. This temperature makes your home sufficiently cool and keeps you comfortable. For the winter season, the temperature can be maintained at a cozy 68F and could go even lower when you are asleep. Maintaining these temperatures can keep your utility bills in check.

14. Reduce the Use of HVAC Systems

Heating and cooling account for an incredible amount of energy expenditure. You can reduce your dependency on your HVAC system by incorporating energy-saving measures within your home. Insulation, sealing leaks, proper ventilation are just some of the ways you can retain heat or cold in your home for much longer, requiring you to use your HVAC appliance for a lesser duration of time.

For more tips on staying warm in winter without spending a fortune, check out this article.

15. Save Energy by Using Fans

Another way of reducing energy usage is by using ceiling fans. They consume a fraction of the energy compared to air conditioners and aid in-room ventilation and cooling. Fans have a lower maintenance cost and can be used both in the winters and summers.

For winters, reverse the fan to a clockwise direction. This will pull the cold air up and force the warm air down to help you stay warm.

16. Use an App to Track Energy Usage

By keeping track of your usage, you can determine which appliances are taking up a significant chunk of your energy bills and why. You can then cut down on these extra costs and turn off those appliances when they’re not in use. i.e., light bulbs in unoccupied rooms, air conditioners in use when there is no one at home, TVs turned on when no one is watching, and other such instances. You can track AC usage history with the help of a smart AC controller. The app provides you with a timeline of actions and usage history to monitor and manage your energy usage patterns.

17. Install Ductless Heat Pumps

There are numerous types of heat pumps available, but ductless heat pumps are gaining a lot of popularity for their energy efficiency. They are easy to install, easy to maintain, and very efficient in cooling individual rooms. Smart, IoT enabled variations to come with advanced features to provide even more energy savings.

Pro Tip:Use Cielo Comfy Mode to automate your heating or cooling with maximum comfort and energy savings.

18. Energy Efficient Appliances – BUY THEM!

We have discussed energy-efficient heat pumps in the previous section, but they are not the only appliances that have increased efficiency over the years. Household appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, and even light bulbs have increased their efficiency ratings on many folds. When put together, these appliances can make a big difference in household energy consumption, amounting to a 20% decrease in energy usage in some cases.

19. Routinely Perform Energy Audits

An energy audit helps you assess your energy usage and make the required changes to cut down your bills. Call your local electric company. A professional will check the appliances, your home structure, and the measurement of your home insulation. After the audit, the company can help you suggest changes that would help cut down your energy use. This energy-saving tip can prove to be beneficial in the long run.

20. Plug off the Chargers, when not Needed

Even when there is no device plugged-in for charging, a plugged-in charger still consumes minute amounts of energy, adding up to your bills. When your device is fully charged, unplug and turn off the switch to consume no extra energy.

Relacionado: Why Is My Electric Bill So High? 11 Reasons &How to Lower It

Energy Saving Ideas for Your Home

21. Insulate, Insulate, and Insulate!

Sound insulation is essential in all seasons to save energy. Insulation also helps lower your bills by retaining the heat during the winter season and keeping heat out of your home during summers. The level of insulation depends on the area of your house. Crawlspace, floors, walls, attic, and basement are the main areas where good insulation can help you save some bucks. Home Energy Saver tool is handy for recommendations based on specifications of your house.

22. Leaks – SEAL THEM

The process of sealing leaks starts by identifying them. You can do it on your own or with the help of a professional energy auditor. After you find the leaks, hire a professional to seal them. This can help you trap the air that escapes through the leaks, which in turn can cause your heating or cooling systems to run on high power and waste energy.

23. Close/Open Chimneys

When you do not have a fire running in your fireplace, the outside air can enter the indoor environment and promote heat loss. Therefore, a device called a fireplace damper is installed on top of the chimney, which can seal off the fireplace when not in use. This way, the warm air from your house cannot escape out into the environment and unnecessarily lower the room’s temperature.

When not in use, the fireplace damper should be kept closed to prevent unwanted air drafts from being generated in the room.

24. Save Energy by Closing the Dampers

Dampers are used to control the flow of air from the ducts of a central air conditioning system into a room. When the air conditioner is turned off, the ducts with long metal pipes store unheated/uncooled air in them. These ducts can produce drafts that push this air into the room. This effect becomes even more noticeable during the winter months, when chilly air comes into the warm and cozy place, bringing the temperature down.

To counter this and save energy, keep the dampers of your ducts closed when not in use. This prevents drafts from coming into the room and disturbing the room temperature.

25. Weatherstrip the Attic

Attics are isolated spaces, which often do not have air conditioning installed. Even though your living space is comfortable to sit-in during winter or summer months, the attic can be at an extreme, either hot or cold.

If your attic door opens into your living space, you would want to weatherstrip it. This means that you seal any gaps in the attic door or its hinges, so there is no air leaking out. Treat your attic door as you would treat your main entrance of the room. You want to seal the main entrance and keep the outside air out. The same is the case with the attic doors.

26. Install an Attic Ventilator

In the summers, an attic ventilator can prevent your attic from becoming unbearably hot and stuffy. An attic bears the full brunt of the sun, and the space can become very hot. As a result, the attic radiates heat to the rooms directly below the attic, making them hot and requiring higher cooling energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.

On the other hand, an attic ventilator keeps the air circulating and prevents the attic from becoming too hot. Less heat is then radiated to the rooms below, requiring less cooling and thus saving energy.

27. Frost the Windows

There are two benefits of frosted windows. One being that frosted windows keep the heat out during summers and cold out during the winters. These are much better than unfrosted windows and reduce the strain from your heating or cooling system at no cost.

28. Close the Garage Doors

The temperature of the garage almost always affects the temperature of your indoor space. To save on energy usage, you should always have your main garage door closed when not in use. This will prevent chilly winter winds from making your garage very cold and keep the heat out in summer.

Less extreme temperatures in the garage mean comfortable room temperature and less need for air conditioning.

29. Use Blinds for Shade

Closing or opening the blinds at the right time can reduce energy consumption. On hot summer days, direct sunlight can heat your home, causing you to turn up the air conditioner using more energy. Close the blinds in summers to keep out the heat. During winters, heat is lost through windows during cold nights. Close down the blinds at night as they can act as an insulation layer for the windows.

30. Choice of Colors for Your Home

Having a general understanding of how the choice of paint helps you save energy is very important. Dark colors absorb natural light, while light colors reflect it. Paint your house according to your climate – if you live in a hot area, white or pastel shared are your best choice. This tip will not only help you save energy but will also give your home a brand-new look!

31. Use of Reflective Coating

Reflective coatings are a cost-efficient method to save up on energy bills. They can be applied to the exterior surfaces of your home. A reflective coating reflects the sun’s UV rays and prevents the indoor spaces from heating up. As a result, you do not have to use air conditioning as much or at a higher power setting.

32. Doors:Replace the Old, Fix the Damaged Ones    

If you have wooden doors, they will most likely allow cold drafts in and warm air out during the cold season. Here you have two choices:door repair or door replacement. You can choose either of them, depending on your budget. This one-time investment will slash your utility bills in the longer run.

33. Energy Efficient Doors

Energy-efficient doors are a great option to trap the cold air in summer and warm air during winter. There are two options when it comes to door replacement:Steel doors and fiberglass doors. Steel doors are strong and resistant to warping, while fiberglass doors reduce air transfer.

34. Energy Saving Roofing Options

Roofing material is a significant factor and should be taken into consideration for an energy-efficient home. The correct choice of the material, such as Energy Star metal roofing, can make a difference in overall efficiency. Roofing materials act as insulation to trap the heat during winter and deflect/keep out the heat during summer. Initially, the selection of a roof could be expensive, but it pays back by reducing your bill in the long run.

35. Promote Air Flow

Keep the airflow in the room as high as you can. A stuffy room makes it feel hotter than it is and forces you to use air conditioning. This problem is more common in the summer months than in winter. Open your doors, windows, or vents. Moreover, you can also use ceiling fans to keep the airflow going.

36. Cover Your Windows to Save Energy

As a very affordable and accessible option, you can use window films to cover your windows. These are best for warmer climates since they block heat but also help save energy in winter by blocking out cold from the outside. You can also use thick curtains to help with maintaining the temperature of your room.

37. Install Energy Efficient Windows

Heat loss through windows in winters and heat gain during summers is a recurring issue. This leads to a waste of energy and an increase in bills. How can you minimize it?  Replace your single-pane windows with double panes. Moreover, the gas-filled windows with ‘Low-E‘ reflect some sunlight to keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter.

38. Make Sure Air Vents Are Not Blocked

Ensure that your living space’s air conditioning is efficient enough by checking if there is any object that could block the air vents. Remove the blockages from the air vents to have better airflow and an efficient air conditioning system.

39. Structural Insulated Panels

These panels play a significant role in making your home energy-efficient. Structured insulated panels are designed to provide excellent insulation by sandwiching a foam sheet layer between plywood pieces. It serves as insulation and dramatically helps you save energy.

40. Get an Outlet Gasket

Outlet gaskets prevent air drafts from entering your room through the outlets. This ensures that there are no cold air inlets in your room during the winters. Outlet gaskets are very cheap and easy to install, requiring a total of just two minutes to fit. But they can go a long way in saving you utility costs.

Lighting Tips to Save Energy

41. Take Help From Mother Nature

The use of natural light is essential to save energy. The daylight minimizes the usage of artificial light, slashing your electricity bills, and especially your HVAC costs. Depending on the season, open the blinds and curtains, preferably during the day, to use natural sunlight to light up the room. They will not only help you save on electricity bills but also brighten up the atmosphere!

42. Turn off the Lights

This is a pretty straightforward way of saving on energy bills. Turn off your lights in spaces that are not in use. If you tend to forget, try to use smart lighting with motion sensors to detect your absence and automatically switch off.

43. Put Lights on a Timer

Light timers automatically turn off the lights at a specific time. This makes sure that you do not accidentally leave your lights on at night in rooms that are not in use or where lighting is not required. These timers can be used both during the day or at night, saving considerable amounts of energy.

44. Dust Your Bulbs to Increase Energy Savings

Keep your bulbs and lights clean. Accumulation of dust and dirt can make them seem less bright than they are and force you to use more light bulbs than necessary. Periodic dusting and cleaning can go a long way in reducing energy bills.

45. Get Colored Lamp Shades

Colored lamp shades give the effect of more lighting in the room and can light up your indoor space. With a brightly colored lampshade, one lamp can sufficiently light up the whole room. This can save you the cost of using an extra light bulb.

46. Install Dimmers on Lights

Most times, you do not need your lights to work on full power. Sometimes you require only minimal lighting in the room. This is where dimmers come in handy and can reduce the amount of power the light consumes, reducing brightness and energy usage.

47. Replace Incandescent Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs are the oldest type of light bulbs and take up the most amount of power. If you are looking to save energy, you will be better off by replacing all your incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).

48. Reduce the Wattage &Compare Lumens

All your bulbs do not have to be high power. Select the wattage of your bulbs, depending on the need. Brightly lit rooms can be uncomfortable and waste a lot of energy. While lumens is the amount of light a bulb produces, wattage is the amount of energy it consumes.

49. Install Sky Lighting

An energy-efficient skylight can help minimize your heating, cooling, and lighting costs. These involve transparent spaces in the ceiling to allow sunlight to focus its warmth in a room. With plenty of directed sunlight, you do not require light bulbs or extra heating.

50. Use LED Lights for Decoration

LEDs are an efficient lighting alternative, and they significantly help save money and energy. These lights use half as much energy than typical incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. LED lights last longer, with their average life span being 30,000-50,000 hours.

51. Look Out for Vampire Energy Consumption

Vampire energy consumption is when an electric device consumes power even when it is seemingly turned off but plugged in. Vampire loads can add around $200 to the yearly energy costs of your home. Mobile phone chargers, televisions, and computer chargers consume small amounts of energy even when the device itself is turned off. Whenever you have finished using your device, unplug it from the power outlet to save energy.

52. Use Digital Systems to Control Lights

Digital systems can be installed to control lights at home. These offer the features of remote control through a connected mobile app. They help in the efficient usage of lighting with automation. This lowers the wastage of electricity to help save energy.

53. Smartly Manage Floor Lamps

Floor lamps or freestanding lights are great for ambiance. However, the more light you use, the more energy you consume of course. It is best to be practical and limit the use of any additional lighting. When in use, make sure your bulbs are LED or CFL and unplug when not in use.

54. Use Motion Sensors

It is human nature to forget things. While we know the importance of switching off the lights, sometimes we tend to forget and witness increased utility bills. A great idea is to install motion sensors or timer switches to the lights to make sure that you won’t be burning energy when the room is unoccupied.

55. Energy-Efficient Kitchen Lighting

Energy-efficient lighting includes not only energy-efficient bulbs but also the strategy used to install the lights. For your kitchen, plan the lighting scheme so that it is easy to switch off the unnecessary lights whenever needed, like onto the kitchen backsplash over the countertop. Also, create a plan for different light sources in the kitchen. Use small and overhead lights and use them accordingly, i.e., to make tea, turn on the spotlight at night, cook, and turn on the overhead light.

56. Light Fixtures – Discard the Chandeliers

Chandeliers may look very elegant in your interior decor, but they are highly inefficient light sources. They consume a large amount of electricity to power up multiple light bulbs but without proportionate illumination. It is a better idea to eliminate chandeliers and opt for other light sources that can help you save energy.

57. Use Mirrors to Enhance Natural Light

Mirrors are good light reflectors. They can make a room feel airy and spread the light around. Coupled with windows or a skylight, a mirror in the room can reflect the natural light around and reduce your dependence on light bulbs or other electrical light sources, thus, saving energy.

58. Use Energy Star Qualified CFL and LED Bulbs

Energy Star ratings are reserved for appliances that pass stringent energy efficiency criteria by the US Environmental Protection Agency. As discussed before, LED and CFL bulbs are much more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, and using Energy Star qualified LED and CFL bulbs reduce the consumed energy by up to 75%.

59. Use Multiple Switches

Large rooms, such as a family room or an open office space, should have multiple switches to control the lights in different areas. You may need to light up each area at all times, and with various buttons, you can control the lighting requirements as per your need.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Tips for Energy Saving

60. Rate Fluctuations

Use your home appliances during non-peak times. During peak times (usually in the evening), energy rates are generally higher, increasing your utility bills. Hence, using non-essential appliances or appliances with a high consumption rate like dishwashers, irons, washing machines, etc. should be used during non-peak times.

61. Plant Trees

You can significantly cut down on energy costs by planting shrubs and trees. These act as a shelter by blocking sunlight in the summer season and windbreaks during winters. For winters, plant trees to the north of your house to intercept and slow the cold winds. Plant trees near large windows and or hard surfaces in the summer season to minimize landscape heat load. This energy-saving tip is one of the best for an energy-efficient home and environmentally friendly home.

62. Teach Your Kids

Awareness and knowledge about energy saving practices within the newer generation go a long way in reducing household energy consumption. Good practices such as turning off lights when you leave the room/bathroom, closing the doors behind you, switching off the television are some of the things that can be instilled in children through gentle reminders.

63. Enjoy Disconnected Time &Save Energy

You do not always have to keep all your devices plugged in all the time. Keep some downtime for yourself and unplug your devices such as mobile phones, television, and other gadgets to remain off the grid. Not only does it do wonders for your health, but it also cuts down on energy usage.

64. Avoid Using Screen Savers

Set your computer to hibernate or sleep mode when not in use for an extended period, rather than going into screen saver mode. It may look pretty, but it still consumes energy to power the screen when there is no need for it.

65. Adjust Day to Day Behavior

Behavioral changes are significant in saving energy. An example of such a change is that instead of using a thin blanket during winters and keeping your heating at a higher setting, you can use a warmer blanket and turn down your thermostat.

66. Always Recycle

Making new things almost always takes up more energy than recycling them. Everyday objects like paper, tissue, cardboard, and glass are recyclable, saving precious energy and natural resources. As an example, recycling Aluminum saves 94% energy as compared to making it from Aluminum ore.

67. Furniture Arrangement

Proper placement of your furniture can significantly affect your energy consumption. Do not place high back chairs next to the windows, which can block natural light. Do not block the air conditioning vents in your room with tables or drawers, and leave plenty of space so that the heated or cooled air can efficiently circulate.

68. Use Candles – Create Ambience

Candles are a great way to kill two birds with one stone. You can reduce light bulb usage and also create a comfortable ambiance. Moreover, during winter, candles can provide warmth and a cozy feeling.

69. Choice of Clothes

Dress appropriately for the weather. In winter months, keep a thick sweater and wear comfortable yet warm trousers. Wearing socks is not a bad idea either. During summers, dress in light and airy clothes, so you feel less stuffy.

70. Maintain the Temperature

Maintaining a constant temperature means you do not have to use your HVAC at full power. Without extreme temperature variations, you can remain comfortable even with your air conditioning at moderate temperature settings.
Pro Tip: Automate your environment based on room temperature and humidity.

71. Go for Prepaid Electric Bill Plan

Prepaid electric bill plans work by assigning you a specific number of power units that you can consume throughout the month. By restricting your power usage within a particular limit, you force yourself to save on energy consumption wherever you can.

72. Minimum Opening and Closing of Doors

Minimize the time for which your doors remain open. Opened doors let the warm or cold air in your room escape through, thus disturbing the overall room temperature. Keep your doors and windows closed so that no outside air can come in.

73. Make Small Term Investments for Long Term Results

Energy-saving devices and energy star rated appliances may seem expensive to buy. Still, they can quickly recover their cost in the long run and save you many times the initial investment over their lifetime. Look at the bigger picture and not be afraid of the higher initial cost.

74. Stay Vigilant of Peak Hours

Peak hours have a higher tariff as compared to non-peak hours. Use your non-critical appliances during off-peak hours and save on energy consumption.

75. Pre-Heat Your Food

When cooking frozen food, it is better to pre-heat it and then put it in the electric oven. This way, you do not have to use your oven range for a longer time, reducing your energy consumption. Similarly, instead of microwaving food straight from the fridge, try to take it out earlier and bring it to room temperature before you warm it.

76.  Air Dry the Dishes

Instead of using a dishwasher or an automatic dryer for your dishes, leave them out on the kitchen counter to air dry. Electric dryers use a large amount of electricity to dry your dishes, and air drying does the same job with no energy cost at all.

77. Use of Burners

When using your cooking range, match the use of burners with the pot size. Using a large burner for a small cooking task or a small pot will waste extra energy and increase your utility bills. It is then a good idea to keep the large burners reserved only for preparing larger meals.

78. Use Suitable Pots

Use a pot that is proportionate to the cooking task. Cooking smaller dishes in a large pot wastes the heat energy and requires longer cooking times, consuming more heat energy.

79. Car Pool

If you are going to the office and have the same route as the three other colleagues, it is better to share a ride than coming in four different cars. Less energy consumption, fewer greenhouse emissions, and you would have a good time en-route!

80. Use Alternative Electricity Generating Resources

Rather than using electricity from the grid, utilize alternative sources, such as wind and solar energy. Install a small solar grid on your roof, and power up less energy-intensive devices through it. Similarly, you can use a small windmill on your property to power the outdoor lights and such.

Tips for Your Home Appliances to Save Energy

81. Do Full Loads of Laundry

When washing your clothes, collect them all at once and clean with a full load, rather than doing it in bits and pieces. This minimizes the usage of your washing machine and dryer, saving energy in the process.

82. Air Dry the Clothes

Rather than using a dryer, hang your clothes out to dry in the sun. This process uses no extra energy and is even recommended for clothes that can get damaged when dried in a laundry dryer.

83. Wash Clothes Using Cold Water

You do not need hot water to wash your clothes. Cold water or lukewarm water, in most cases, can do the job as effectively. By using hot water for washing clothes, you are using up energy for no additional benefit. This only increases your utility bills.

84. Take Shorter Showers

Minimize the amount of time you spend in the shower. With longer showers, not only do you waste a precious natural resource in the form of water, but are also utilizing extra energy by using bathroom lighting.

85. Low-Flow Showerheads

Older showerheads expel large volumes of water without covering much surface area. As a result, you are wasting water. Newer low-flow showerheads reduce the amount of water coming out of the showerhead but distribute it effectively so that you get the same coverage.

86. Lower the Temperature of the Water Heater

Keep the temperature of your water heater at a minimum when not in use. Turn up the temperature only when you shower or during mornings when it gets a bit chilly, especially during the fall.

87. Electric vs. Gas-Powered Lawn Mower

Use an electric-powered lawn mower instead of a gas-powered one. Gasoline-powered engines are less efficient than electric motors and expel smoke and harmful gases that increase pollution. You can charge up your electric powered lawn mower using solar power or even wind from a small turbine.

88. Clean Your Fridge

Keep your fridge clean. Accumulation of dirt, grease, and other items can reduce the efficiency of the refrigerator. The interior walls and coils do not cool as effectively when dirty compared to when they are clean.

89. Wrap Food in the Refrigerator

Make sure that everything you place in the fridge is covered. All food items should be well wrapped. If not, they can release moisture in a fridge’s sealed environment, forcing the compressor to work harder to maintain a sufficiently cold environment.

90. Close the Refrigerator Door

Make sure the refrigerator door is closed correctly and the seals are airtight. If your food items become dislodged, they can prevent the door from closing properly, requiring extra energy to cool the refrigerator. It’s best to decide what you need and takes it out quickly rather than stand with the fridge door open for a long time.

91. Adjust Refrigerator Temperature

Keep your refrigerator temperature in a suitable setting, as required by the items you store. There is no use keeping the refrigerator at a minimum in the winter months, especially if your fridge items do not require such extreme minimums.

92. Fill Up Your Freezer

Filling up your freezer makes the items inside cool down faster. This is because air is an insulator, while solid food items are not as great. These food items can then become sources of cold on their own and contribute to the cooling effect.

93. Use Convection Ovens

Use convection or toaster ovens instead of full-sized ovens for small-sized meals. These ovens use almost one-third of the energy than a regular oven.

94. Install Low-Flow Water Fixtures

Use low-flow water fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms. Newer installations spread out the water much more evenly and use minimal water, meaning you can get the job done without using many natural resources.

95. Turn Off the Appliances Before Holiday Trips

Before going for a long trip away, turn off non-essential appliances. Unplug your television, dishwasher, desktops, lamps, and similar household appliances. As discussed before, vampire energy consumption can take up several amounts of energy, contributing to your energy bill.

96. Use Appliances Strategically

Know how to make the best use of your appliances. For example, if you have the oven running in the winter months, keep the oven’s door open for a while after cooking to heat the kitchen and serve as a heat source.

97. Keep Your Appliances Well Maintained

Perform regular maintenance checks on your appliances. Even though they may not stop working, small faults can develop, which reduces an appliance’s efficiency. Inefficient appliances take up more energy and should be fixed as soon as possible.

98. Keep Home Appliances Clean

Keep your appliances clean and free from dust and dirt. Accumulation of dirt on devices can increase energy consumption. For example, grime on a refrigerator’s coils can make it work harder to maintain the same temperature. Dirt on the exhaust ports of a microwave can affect the functionality of the appliance.

99. Appliance Placement

Keep your appliances in suitable areas, as per their use. It makes no sense to have your refrigerator or freezer next to your cooking range or in front of a window through which the sun shines all day long.

100. Reduce Your Dependency on Appliances

While technology is excellent and very convenient, especially if you consider smart appliances, it’s best to limit your use and also adopt some old ways. The more dependent you are on your devices the more energy you consume. There may not always be a need to use a dishwasher, hairdryer, or microwave.

101. The Most Useful Tip

You have 100 different ways to save energy! They would be of no use, though unless you follow them! The last and final tip is to be mindful of your energy consumption and follow as many tips as possible to save energy! Even if you follow half, you are in line for significant energy savings!

These are some energy-saving tips that will help you slash your utility bills all year long. Start saving energy from today for yourself and for the environment you live in!