If you enjoyed this post, dont forget to check out the rest of the Emergency Electrician London blog!
Tips for saving energy and lowering your electric bill
In this blog post, we will discuss various tips for saving energy and lowering your electric bill. We will cover a range of topics, including simple changes you can make to your daily habits, as well as larger changes to your home or office.
We will also provide information on government programs and tax incentives that can help you save money on your electric bill.
Simple changes you can make
Unplugging electronic devices when they are not in use is a simple but effective way to save energy and lower your electric bill. Even when electronic devices are turned off, they can still use standby power, which can add up over time. By unplugging devices when they are not in use, you can eliminate this standby power usage and save energy.
Examples of electronic devices that should be unplugged when not in use include:
-TVs
-Computers
-Printers
-Chargers for phones, tablets, and laptops
-Coffee makers
-Microwave ovens
It is also important to note that some devices, such as cable boxes and DVRs, use standby power even when turned off because they need to maintain their settings and be ready for instant use. In those cases, it’s best to plug them into a power strip and turn off the power strip when not in use.
It’s also vital to remember that unplugging devices may not be practical for devices that need to be on all the time, such as refrigerators and alarm clocks. However, even unplugging devices that are only used occasionally can make a significant difference in your energy consumption and electric bill over time.
Use Power Strips to Reduce Standby Power Usage:
Another simple change you can make to save energy and lower your electric bill is to use power strips to reduce standby power usage. As mentioned earlier, even when electronic devices are turned off, they can still use standby power. This standby power usage can add up over time, and significantly increase your energy consumption and electric bill.
Power strips are a simple and effective solution to this problem. They allow you to plug multiple electronic devices into one outlet, and then turn off the power strip when you are not using the devices. This way, you can eliminate standby power usage for all the devices plugged into the power strip, rather than unplugging them one by one. It’s important to note that not all power strips are created equal.
Some power strips, known as “surge protectors,” only protect electronic devices from power surges and do not reduce standby power usage. Look for power strips labeled as “standby power eliminators” or “advanced power strips” to ensure they can reduce standby power usage.
Examples of electronic devices that should be plugged into a power strip and turned off when not in use include:
Entertainment systems (television, cable box, DVD player, etc.)
Home office equipment (computer, printer, scanner, etc.)
Kitchen appliances (coffee maker, toaster, etc.)
Reduce the temperature on your water heater
Another simple change you can make to save energy and lower your electric bill is to reduce the temperature on your water heater. The temperature on your water heater should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) or lower, as this is the recommended temperature for most households. By reducing the temperature on your water heater, you can save energy and lower your electric bill.
To reduce the temperature on your water heater, you can either adjust the thermostat on the water heater itself or adjust it using the temperature control on your hot water tank. Be careful not to set the temperature too low, as it can cause the water to not be hot enough for some uses such as showering or dishwashing.
It’s important to note that reducing the temperature on your water heater can also help to extend the life of the water heater and reduce the risk of scalding. Additionally, if you have a tankless water heater, you may not have a thermostat to adjust, in that case, you should contact a professional plumber to help you adjust the temperature.
Use energy efficient light bulbs
Another simple change you can make to save energy and lower your electric bill is to use energy-efficient light bulbs. Traditional incandescent light bulbs are not energy efficient and waste a lot of energy as heat. Energy-efficient light bulbs such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) and CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) use significantly less energy and last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
LED light bulbs are the most energy-efficient option, as they use 75-80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. They also come in a wide range of color temperatures and brightness levels, so you can find one that best suits your needs.
CFLs are also energy-efficient, they use about 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last about 10 times longer. However, it’s important to note that they contain a small amount of mercury and should be disposed of properly.
It’s also important to remember that energy-efficient light bulbs cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they last longer and use less energy, which will save you money in the long run. You can also check with your local government or energy provider for rebates or incentives for energy-efficient light bulbs.
Adjust the thermostat
Another simple change you can make to save energy and lower your electric bill is to adjust the thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter and a higher temperature in the summer.
During the winter months, it’s recommended to set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) or lower when you are home and awake and lower when you are asleep or away from home. During the summer months, it’s recommended to set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) or higher when you are home and awake and higher when you are asleep or away from home.
By adjusting the thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter and a higher temperature in the summer, you can save energy and lower your electric bill. This is because the heating and cooling system will not have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
It’s also important to note that using a programmable thermostat can help you to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule. This way, you don’t have to worry about adjusting the thermostat manually, and you can save energy and money without even thinking about it.
Use natural light
Another simple change you can make to save energy and lower your electric bill is to use natural light instead of artificial light when possible. Natural light is a free and abundant source of light that can be used to illuminate your home during the day. By using natural light instead of artificial light, you can save energy and lower your electric bill.
There are several ways to use natural light in your home. For example, you can open curtains or blinds during the day to let natural light into your home, or you can install skylights or solar tubes to bring natural light into rooms that don’t have windows.
You can also consider making changes to your home’s layout or design, such as building a sunroom or adding a window to a room that doesn’t have one, to increase the amount of natural light in your home.
It’s important to note that while natural light is a free and abundant source of light, it’s not always available or sufficient to light your home, especially during the night. In such cases, it’s important to use energy-efficient artificial light sources such as LED or CFL.
Larger changes to your home or office
In addition to the simple changes you can make to save energy and lower your electric bill, there are also larger changes you can make to your home or office that can have a significant impact on your energy usage and costs.
Some examples include:
Install a programmable thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat can help you to automatically adjust the temperature in your home or office based on your schedule. This can save energy and money without even thinking about it.
Seal and Insulate Your Home to Reduce drafts: Sealing and insulating your home can help to prevent drafts and reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, which can save energy and lower your electric bill.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can help you to save energy and lower your electric bill. Look for appliances with the Energy Star label, which are certified to be energy-efficient.
Consider Solar Panels or Other Renewable Energy Sources: Installing solar panels or other renewable energy sources, such as wind or geothermal, can help you to generate your own electricity and reduce your dependence on the grid. This can save energy and lower your electric bill in the long run.
In summary, there are also larger changes you can make to your home or office to save energy and lower your electric bill. These include installing a programmable thermostat, sealing and insulating your home to reduce drafts, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and considering solar panels or other renewable energy sources. These changes may require more investment upfront, but they can have a significant impact on your energy usage and costs in the long run.
Government programs and tax incentives
In addition to making changes to your home or office to save energy and lower your electric bill, you can also take advantage of government programs and tax incentives that can help you to save money on energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy sources.
Some examples include:
Government programs: Many governments offer programs that provide financial assistance for energy-efficient upgrades to your home or office. These programs can help you to cover the costs of energy-efficient appliances, insulation, and other upgrades.
Tax Incentives: Many countries also offer tax incentives for renewable energy sources such as solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, deductions, or exemptions that can help you to save money on the cost of installing renewable energy systems.
It’s important to research the government programs and tax incentives available in your area to determine what options are available to you. These programs and incentives can vary by state or country, and the terms and conditions may also change over time.