Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Tips

Energy efficiency is among the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. A typical household can reduce its energy use up to a third by becoming more energy-efficient. Conserving energy equals to less greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Energy Conservation and Energy efficiency

Although energy conservation and efficiency are related, they are two different terms. Energy conservations implies adopting energy-conserving habits such as unplugging your devices when they are not in use.

On the other hand, energy efficiency implies that you use technology that requires less energy to perform the desired function, for example using LED lightbulbs that use 80% less energy than their traditional counterparts. Therefore, using energy-efficient devices helps you conserve energy.

2. Why should you conserve energy?

There are many benefits to making your house more energy efficient besides the clear environmental effect.

Reduce your utility bill

Programmable thermostats, advanced power strips, and energy efficient lighting can decrease your energy expenses with almost no effort on your part. With energy efficient appliances and upgrades, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you can save anywhere up to 30 percent on your utility bills. Make sure to do your research on Columbia Gas rates to find the best deal and rate for your usage to optimize the amount you will save on your annual utility bill.

Increase the value of your property

When it comes to real estate, energy efficient houses sell at a higher price. Every energy-efficient upgrade you make directly increases the value of your home.

Enhance your quality of life

An energy-efficient household also implies greater comfort. Your home will be more pleasant to reside in and better ventilated which means less mold, indoor air pollution and bacteria. Not to mention the comfort of being able to heat up or cool down your house by the time you arrive from work or preheat the oven while buying groceries.

Boost your savings

Energy efficiency measures, no matter how small, are capable of generating utility savings over their service lives. Besides the reduced monthly cost, energy-efficient devices last longer and therefore eliminate the cost of fixing and repurchasing the same device over and over again.

3. Simple energy friendly tips

Households were responsible for 19 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions in 2016, so you can indeed start saving the planet from the comfort of your own home simply by adopting a few energy-efficient habits.

Use energy-efficient light bulbs.

By replacing traditional lightbulbs with LED ones, you get to consumer up to 80% less energy. Moreover, they last up to 25x longer. Additionally, do your best to turn off lights whenever you leave a room.

Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are full, they

Even if your machine has a small load settings, it is still using most of the water and most of the energy of a full load.

Eliminate phantom load

Electricity used by electronics when they are turned off or in standby mode, are a major source of energy waste. It is estimated that 75% of the energy used to power household electronics is consumed when they are switched off. Considering that appliances are responsible for roughly 13% of total household energy use, this is a significant cost. Phantom load can result in costs of $200 on an annual basis. Power strips shut off the power to electronics when they are not in use and solve the problem of phantom loads entirely.

Air-dry dishes and clothes

Air drying not only eliminates an extra machine cycle, but it also adds additional wearing life to your clothes.

Bake with glass or ceramic pans

These pans will allow you to bake at 25 degrees lower than indicated in the recipe.

Fix leaks and drafts

Retaining heat during winter and keeping heat out during summer plays a key role in lowering your utility bill.

Keep your house a little hotter in the summer and a little cooler in the winter.

Use a blanket instead of increasing the temperature on your thermostat or dress lighter in summer.

Takeaway – changing your habits is essential

When you’re taking steps toward energy conservation and efficiency, changing your daily energy habits is key to managing your energy usage. Moreover, by making your household more energy-efficient with renewable energy sources, you will be less dependent on energy providers and protected from future price increases. Whichever is your reason for energy conservation: economic, environmental, or personal, you’re in for a multitude of benefits.