Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy, but with proper knowledge, most homeowners can save money. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves.
Instead of installing a tank-based water heater, upgrade to a tankless model.
Tankless or instantaneous water heaters don’t require a storage tank. They provide hot water when needed instead of storing it. This makes them cheaper to operate than traditional water heater tanks. Tankless heaters heat water right next to where it’s being used, without needing to wait for water from a central storage location. Cold water enters a pipe through a hot water faucet. A gas burner or electric heating element heats the water. This way, energy isn’t wasted on heating up water when it isn’t needed.
Replace the old lightbulbs
Incandescent lights use only 10% of their energy; the rest is converted into heat. New lighting technologies like CFLs and LEDs can reduce the energy needed for lighting by 50% to 75%. A household on average uses about 10% of its energy budget on lighting.
Properly use appliances and electronics
About 20% of household energy bills in the United States come from appliances and electronics. Here are ways to reduce the energy consumed by your appliances and electronics:
Refrigerators and freezers shouldn’t be close to the stove, dishwasher, heat vents, or direct sunlight. Doing so requires them to expend extra energy maintaining optimal temperature.
Laptop computers use significantly less electricity than desktop computers.
Plugging in a portable charger, such as one used for laptops or cell phones, consumes energy. Unplugging the charger when it is not needed will save energy.
Turning off computers when not in use is recommended. Unattended computers should shut down their displays. One study found that approximately 3% of all energy used in the United States comes from computers.
Seal and insulate your home to keep cold air out
Sealing and insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy-efficient, and you can do it yourself. A tightly sealed home can improve comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills.
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