Electric Saving Tips: How to Save Electricity
Did you know that saving energy is a surefire way to minimize pollution and save the planet? What's more, it reduces your electricity costs to bump up your savings account balance and enables you to lead a better, healthier and more fulfilling life in the long run.
Fortunately, learning how to save money on your electric bill is not rocket science—you can get the job done in the most straightforward ways within a short time.
And conveniently, you don't need to call your electrician to implement some of the most effective energy-saving ideas because doing so is a breeze, even for first-time homeowners.
Ready to discover how to reduce your electricity bill? This guide provides tried and tested tips on how to save electricity. Keep reading!
Switch Your Light Bulbs
Changing your light bulbs is among the most effective ways to save electricity. If you've been using traditional incandescent lights, replace them with LED lighting because it consumes up to 85% less power, making it more pocket-friendly.
Besides saving you money, the highly-favoured LED lights are also eco-friendly since they have a better impact on the environment. Another aspect that makes them a great lighting option is their durability; they last longer than traditional bulbs, so you don't need to replace them after only a few months.
As you scour the market for LED bulbs to help you save electricity, remember that your pick matters. You want lights that not only brighten your space but also improve the ambience and décor.
And remember, the best options for your living room might not be ideal for other parts of your home, meaning you must do your homework before making your purchase.
For instance, if you want to install LEDs in your bathroom, explore the best bathroom lighting ideas for unique concepts that could work for that particular space.
Adjust Your Daily Habits
Sometimes, your high energy consumption boils down to the little but significant things you do at home.
For example, when heading out or hitting the sack, do you leave your lights on? That could be the primary reason your electricity bills are surging—switching them off when you don't need them could help minimise your energy expenses.
If you want to lower your electricity bill by making more behaviour adjustments, consider these powerful hacks:
- Turn off all your energy-draining appliances and electronics when you're not using them, including your computer, television, video game console, and recorder.
- Hand-wash your dishes.
- Air dry your clothes instead of throwing them in your dryer.
- Unplug your chargers when you're not utilising them.
- Avoid placing heat-producing appliances near your thermostat as it could affect its reading and capability to adjust your heating system accordingly.
- Open your blinds during cold days to avoid using the heater.
- Use your microwave to reheat your meals since it consumes less energy than your stove.
- Spend only a few minutes in the shower.
- Avoid overfilling your electric kettle.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat could be a game changer when you're looking to combat high electricity bills. While the device may be initially expensive, it can eventually save you a boatload of money as it automatically adjusts your room's temperature to meet your current comfort needs.
Set your thermostat to minimise heating and cooling while you're away or asleep to save energy. You don't necessarily have to install a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to achieve this, which means you'll have more money to set aside at the end of the month.
Still, if you're using a smart thermostat for the first time, call an electrician unless you're an experienced one yourself. And note that the installation process isn't the only thing you should worry about—you need a reliable Wi-Fi connection to access all its advanced features.
Luckily, countless programmable thermostat models are available, so you have plenty of options to mull over. Ensure your device is compatible with your HVAC system. Its price should also be within your budget, so you don't have to forgo your other needs to bring it home.
Repair Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system must function correctly if you want to save on energy bills. The thing is, when one of its parts, such as the filter, isn't running efficiently, it's forced to consume more energy, increasing your electricity costs.
Replace your air and furnace filters every three months to ensure they're not clogged with dirt and allergens that could minimise the system's efficiency and increase your energy expenses.
You can also check and upgrade other parts of the HVAC system to maximise energy efficiency.
For instance, confirm the ducts in your ventilation system are sealed and insulated correctly. Otherwise, much energy will go to waste, and you'll still have to pay for it when settling your electricity bills.
Cold Wash Whenever You Can
That's right! It's time to stop washing your clothes with hot water to cut back on your soaring electricity costs. Besides reducing your energy bills, using cold water in your electric washer has many other amazing perks.
To begin with, it protects your garments from shrinkage, saving you the hassle of having to unshrink them after they're already clean.
Besides, cold washing your clothes renders them more durable, and you'll never have to worry about fading.
Of course, you can make an exception and use hot water when your clothes have powerful stains that might be harder to remove with cold water.
Go Solar
Having quality solar panels fitted to your home or business premises is an effective strategy to dial back on those high electricity costs. These devices are explicitly constructed to utilise the sun's energy to generate electricity for free.
Notably, harnessing solar energy is also good for Mother Nature as it considerably minimises your carbon footprint. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a standard home solar PV system can save up to 1.6 tonnes of carbon annually, based on your location in the United Kingdom.
Some homeowners have expressed concerns about whether solar power impacts their home's electricity supply in any way.
Well, if you're among them, rest assured knowing that it doesn't. When the panels fail to generate enough electricity to cover the whole building, the system smoothly switches to utilising the power supplied by the National Grid.
Choosing Solar Panels for Your Home
Truly, using solar energy ranks among the best electric-saving tips. But knowing that isn't enough—you must comprehend what it takes to pick the right solar panels for your home.
One of the aspects to watch out for is the quality and durability of your solar electric system. Ensure the solar panels you invest in have the required PV product certifications. They should also be manufactured by a reputable company and have an extended warranty period, preferably over two decades.
The size of your solar panels is also worth considering. If you have a big home, ensure they're large enough to meet your home energy needs, especially if you plan to use them most of the time.
Also, go for energy-efficient solar panels that you deem affordable, depending on how much you want to spend on the entire system.
Air Seal Your Home
Preventing air leaks or minimising the amount of air leaking in and out of your home can also help you save electricity. Apart from reducing your heating and cooling costs, it maximises your comfort and creates a healthier indoor environment.
More often than not, air leaks are caused by cracks between your walls, window and door frames. Be sure to hire a weatherproofing expert to help seal them; they should decide whether to apply caulk or weather stripping after assessing the situation.
Lower Your Electricity Bill with Toplightco
Wondering how to reduce your electricity bill in the most efficient ways possible? Visit Toplightco, a renowned and trusted online light store with a broad range of LED lights designed to help you cut back on your annual electricity costs.
At Toplightco, we have quality, energy-efficient outdoor and indoor lighting that you could install to save on electricity. Our knowledgeable professionals can give you awesome ideas to implement to meet all your home energy needs without depleting your savings.
Furthermore, we've been in the electric power industry for over a decade, so we're in the best position to advise you on practical ways to save electricity.
Get in touch with us to know more!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I cut down my electricity costs without spending?
If you want to learn how to save electricity without spending a dime, consider making a few lifestyle adjustments.
For instance, switch off your light bulbs when you go to bed, unplug your phone and laptop chargers when you're not charging your phone, and don't spend hours in the shower.
Will I save electricity if I turn my TV off at the wall?
Turning your TV off at the wall and removing the standby mode could save electricity and minimize your energy expenses.