Whether heating your home in winter or cooling it in summer, keeping your energy costs low is essential. There are many ways to do this without sacrificing your comfort.
A few easy tweaks to your habits can go a long way in increasing the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. These simple tips can save you money and energy and help lower your carbon footprint.
Turn Off The Appliances
Unplugging any appliances that aren’t in use is one of the simplest things you can do if you’re looking to lower your energy costs. These appliances, known as energy vampires, continue to use power even when turned off – and can add up quickly!
You can keep track of this energy draining by using an electricity monitor. These devices will show you how many watts your appliances use each time they’re plugged in, so you can see which ones you should disconnect to save power and money.
Besides helping to save money, reducing the amount of phantom power you use can also help protect the electrical grid. When demand becomes too high, utilities may initiate a series of temporary power cuts called rolling blackouts. Cutting power in this controlled manner helps utilities protect sensitive equipment from damage and bring the electrical grid back into balance. Another thing to remember is that you should examine your boiler each fall to determine what maintenance is necessary, like a boiler assessment Duluth MN. Boilers use gas, oil, or coal to heat the water contained within the vessel. This heated water is then circulated through a network of radiators set up throughout a home to provide indoor heating. Depending on your boiler, this water is either kept as a liquid or converted to steam.
Turn Off The Lights
Turning off lights when you aren’t using them is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save energy. Not only will it help you to cut back on your power bill, but it also makes a positive environmental impact.
In addition to saving energy, turning off the lights can also extend the life of your light bulbs. Buy energy-efficient LED light bulbs if you’re looking for a long-term way to lower your electricity consumption.
It’s also a good idea to keep doors open when it is hot outside, so cool air can enter the house. This will allow your home to cool down faster and be less of a stifling heat box.
Turn Off The TV
The capability to operate a smart TV with a single button press is one of its best features. For instance, using an Android television, you can say goodbye to your remote and yell hello to your favorite shows and movies using the latest Chromecast technology.
To turn your televised entertainment on or off, you’ll need a Chromecast, a smartphone or tablet and Wi-Fi. Luckily, Google has done the heavy lifting for you and provided you with the tools you need to make your smart home a reality.
You’ll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy your new tech-filled living room in no time.
Until then, you can get the most out of your home by making the smartest home heating and cooling decisions possible.
Turn Off The Computer
If you still need to upgrade your computer, you may be surprised to learn that it is one of the most energy-consuming devices in the house. To keep it cool and save money on your utility bill, it’s a good idea to turn off the power when you’re not using it.
Utilizing a power strip or surge protector is the most effective strategy because it will lessen your reliance on wall outlets and cords. Also, use a plug-rated maximum capacity, so you don’t have to worry about overloading your electrical sockets. The correct plug can save you big bucks in the long run! The most important rule of thumb is to check the voltage and current before plugging a computer into an outlet.
Turn Off The Lights
Leaving the lights on when you’re not in the room can add to significant energy costs and reduce the lifespan of light bulbs.
Turning off the lights before you leave a room is one of the easiest ways to save electricity and money. This doesn’t just help your wallet; it also helps the environment.
The amount you can save by turning off the lights depends on how long they’re left on and your energy cost, which you can find on your utility bill. For example, turning off a 40-watt bulb for an hour could cost you 0.4 cents per kilowatt-hour.
