Most people think they have little control over their energy usage. The reality is there are many things you can do to conserve energy. Some people have report cutting their cost in half through relatively simple and inexpensive methods.
Insulation And Cracks
A lot of energy goes out of the cracks around doors and windows and through poorly insulated walls and ceilings. You can purchase sealants to stop those drafts for less than $20.
Lighting
Lights consume about 10 percent of the electricity in a typical home. You can reduce this a lot by simply turning lights off. By replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents you can save more since they only use one-fourth the amount of electricity.
Appliances
Refrigerators and freezers built after 2001 are in general 30 percent more efficient than older models. This can amount to a $100 per year diffence in cost so consider replacing your old units.
Electronics
Electronics often consume up to a quarter of a home's electricity. The surprising thing that most people don't realize it that most electronic items draw power even when turned off. This includes computers, televisions, video players, cable boxes and even cell phone chargers. An ordinary TV draws around 60 watts while turned off! Solve this by plugging everything into power strips that can really turn things off that are not in use.
Heating And Cooling
Heating and air conditioning units are typically the biggest home energy users. New units are much more efficient than older ones, but there's also a big difference between different models. Purchase the most efficient equipment you can afford. You can also save a lot of energy by closing off registers that don't really need to be on and wrapping ducts tightly with specialized metallic sealing tape. Insulating your ducts can save a lot of energy especially in basements, crawl spaces or parts of the house that don't need to be heated. Ceiling fans can help distibute air more efficiently, thus reducing cost.
Water Heater
Electric water heater can consumes a shocking one-third of your home's electricity. Heating with natural gas is much more efficient if it's available. Switching to low-flow shower heads and washing my clothes in cold water will also help a lot.
Behavior
If we can change some everyday behaviors around the house, we can reduce electricity consumption. For example, you can hang laundry out to dry instead of using the electric dryer. You can set your thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter. And you could remind the kids to turn off lights and computers when they are not using them.
Here are some excellent resources:
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About the Author
John Horning specializes in reporting on do-it-yourself solar power projects and related topics. Visit his website at DIY-Solar-Power.net.
