How can families save energy at home

Does your family spend a lot of money each month on electric bills? If so, you are probably looking for a way to spend less energy in your home. Do not worry, you do not have to make any drastic changes. Small steps will quickly add up, and results will quickly show when your whole family works together to save energy at home. Here are several ways to save money on your utility bills.

Don’t keep the lights on when you do not need them

There are almost 70 lightbulbs in an average American home. Every time you leave the room, remember to turn the light off.

This is a small change that requires zero effort and will still save you money. Teach other family members to do this as well, and soon you will notice that your bills are not so high anymore. If you are worried you will forget to turn off the lights, install motion sensors lights that will turn off automatically when movement is no longer detected.

Save energy at home by investing in LED lights

Nowadays, there is a wide variety of lightbulbs on the market, but if you wish to save energy, opt for LED lights. These bulbs use up to 90% less energy than regular ones.

Furthermore, they last up to 25 times longer. If you are unwilling to change every light in your home, start by switching the four most used bulbs, such as those in your living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Just by making this small change, you can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Think about insulation

Insulating your home certainly has many benefits. Whether you use insulation roll foil or fiberglass, insulation will increase your home’s comfort and help you save money.

When your house is not insulated, the hot summer air flows into the house. Meanwhile, the heated air leaves your home through the roof in the winter.

With proper insulation, such airflow will be prevented, and your home will remain warm in winter and cool in summer. As a result, your HVAC system won’t have to work so hard to condition the air in your home and will spend much less energy.

Insulation will not only save you money in the long run but will also have a positive impact on your health. Since insulation helps prevent moisture condensation and promotes better temperature control, health issues connected to changing temperatures are reduced.

Moreover, the chances of mold infestation are minimized. That is great news for those suffering from asthma and allergies. Insulation will also increase the value of your home.

Unplug appliances you do not use

Did you know that some appliances in your home use energy even when they are not used? For instance, gaming consoles, printers, and phone charges will use energy even when you are not playing games, printing something, or charging your phone.

This phenomenon is called a phantom load. To prevent it, you must unplug these devices when not using them.

Turn off the water to save energy at home

One of the biggest energy spenders in your home is the water heater. Therefore, you can save much energy by spending less hot water daily. Even if you do not wish to cut your showers short, there is still a simple way to achieve this.

For example, turn off the water while you are scrubbing your hands or while you are brushing your teeth. If every family member tries their best to conserve hot water, this change will quickly reflect on your energy bills.

Check out your dishwasher settings

Nowadays, besides the old heat dry option, most dishwashers offer the air dry option. Using this option will help you save a lot of energy.

Speaking of dishwashers, only wash full loads of dishes. The same goes for your washing machine. Do not turn it on unless you have a full load of clothes to wash.

Save energy by checking your windows at home

Does your home feel drafty even when all windows are closed? If you have older windows, they may no longer be properly sealed.

To fix this, caulk and weather-strip around them. If you are willing to spend more on your windows, consider replacing your windows for even more energy efficiency.

With such changes, you will not only spend less energy at home but also minimize your utility bills and fight climate change. Talk to your family members and see which steps you can take today.