More people are becoming committed to conserving energy in the home, and this boils down to two fundamental reasons: to save money and to reduce the amount of damage caused to the environment.
If more households use less energy (or a cleaner energy source), we will see a reduction in damage to the ozone layer, and we will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels which are non-renewable and harmful to the environment.
However, for this to happen meaningfully, we have all got to do our part.
Living a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle does not mean you have to change your way of living drastically. You don’t need to wash your clothes by hand or sit in the dark. All those appliances and lightbulbs may seem relatively insignificant, but they all add up.
There are numerous tips on home energy conservation, starting from small habits in daily lives to big investments that not only help the environment but also reduce your energy bills.
Below are some steps to help you save energy at home:
1. Turn off appliances when not in use
Did you know: Your electronic appliances use as much as 75% of their electricity consumption when switched off?
A simple tour of your home will likely prove you have at least several plugged-in items you’re not using. For example, electrical items on standby, such as TVs, computers, and video game consoles. Many of these appliances draw a small amount of electricity whilst waiting for use.
Chargers for cell phones, tablets, and other cordless devices also use small amounts of energy even when they’re not charging.
You can recognise electrical appliances drawing electricity if they have a standby setting or a little light glowing while waiting for use. When not using them for a while, turn them off at the wall to conserve energy.
Computers can also be set to sleep or hibernate mode, which uses much less power than when they’re on and active. Program yours to do this automatically after 10 to 15 minutes of inactivity and skip the screen savers; they’re not necessary to protect modern monitors. It is also much more efficient to simply set your monitor to switch off when it’s not in use.
Whereas the electricity they consume might seem small, it all adds up over a more extended period on your electric bill.
2. Change your light bulbs
Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume an excessive amount of electricity and must be replaced more often than their energy-efficient alternatives. Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80 percent less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.
Although energy-efficient bulbs are more expensive off the shelf, their efficient energy use and longer lifetimes mean that they cost less in the long run. As a result, over time, the cost balances out as you save more energy. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) are especially practical for exterior lighting, which you may require left on throughout the night.
Easily forgotten sometimes is perhaps one of the simplest things you can do to reduce energy use: simply let the natural light in and avoid turning on electric lights at all during the day. You’ll also find natural light better for your work from home environment.
3. Use large appliances together to reduce energy use
Whereas your modern washing machine and dryer may be marked as energy-efficient, even energy-efficient appliances still consume a lot of electricity with each use.
To conserve electricity as much as possible, pool your laundry together (as a family or roommates) and do full loads all at once. As a result, you cut down on the number of times you use the washer weekly. If it helps, think about how much money you’re throwing away with each wash of an item or two.
4. Notch your refrigerator temp down a little
Most of us do not pay much attention to the temperature our refrigerator operates at. Providing, of course, we have cold drinks, and the vegetables remain fresh. However, when mindful of energy conservation, notching the temperature down a few degrees saves electricity.
With a slight tweak to its thermostat, your fridge will still keep everything cold and fresh, while this small change results in less engine use to help reduce those energy bills.
5. Unplug & defrost your freezer monthly
Your freezer benefits from occasionally defrosting, usually once a month.
When excessive ice builds up in the freezer, the system ends up working harder to preserve all that ice and keep cool air flowing. As a result, a freezer in need of a defrost uses more energy and adds to your energy costs.
Whenever you want to defrost, simply unplug the freezer and remove all food items. Leave the door open for a faster melting process, and then dry out the freezer. Turn it back on, and once cool, repack your food items. Ensure that you place items correctly to allow easy flow of cooling air and improved energy saving (so your freezer’s system doesn’t work too much!).
Also, move the refrigerator to an area with adequate air circulation, as it helps it become more power efficient. Your fridge should also be at least 2 inches away from the wall and not stand directly exposed to sunlight.
6. Shop smarter
Many of today’s new appliances use half the energy of 20 years ago. If you’re in the market, look for products with the Energy Star label. They typically use about 10 to 40 percent less energy than other new models. Some electric companies and even state governments offer consumer rebates on Energy Star-rated models.
Shopping for a new computer? Keep in mind that laptops use significantly less energy than desktop versions and can be hooked up to external monitors and keyboards when you want the big-screen experience. Remodeling your bathroom? Replace old showerheads with new low-flow designs to prevent excess hot water (and the energy used to heat it) from going down the drain.
With each new energy-efficient appliance you purchase, you’ll find your total energy consumption reduces.
7. Stay up to date on maintenance to save energy
Your appliances will work more effectively and save you electricity at home if they are cared for. For example, when your air conditioner air filters clog up, you might choose to turn it up higher because the regular temperature doesn’t do so much anymore, using more energy.
By changing the filter (monthly, as recommended), you can get enough cold air at a minimal temperature, and you’ll note a reduction in your utility bills. The same applies to your dishwasher, tumble dryer, and other appliances.
Conclusion
Remember that there is a connection between how much electricity you use and your environment. Your electricity conservation changes might seem small, but they all add up. Further, you’ll find by following some of the simple tips above. You don’t need to rush out and purchase energy-efficient products.
Afriland Properties Plc is a property management, investment, and development company, offering end-to-end services along the real estate value chain, from management to joint-venture investments. We bring innovation to the real estate sector in Nigeria and other African countries by drawing on experience, new competencies, and technology to achieve continuous improvement in service delivery to our clientele.
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