Energy is a critical part of our everyday lives, and it’s important to learn how to use it sparingly. According to Energy Sage, energy conservation is defined as using less energy to lower costs and reduce environmental impact. The benefits of conserving energy not only will lower your utility bills, but also help protect the environment. There are a variety of ways to conserve energy in your household, ranging from simple day-to-day tips to extensive household improvements.
In observance of National Energy Efficiency Day on Oct. 6, RESA is sharing some other tips to use energy more efficiently and how to conserve energy daily.
- Service your air conditioner routinely: According to the Department of Energy, routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15%.
- Circulate fresh air & use natural light:Â A simple way to conserve energy is opening your windows to increase airflow in your home which cuts down on the need for air conditioning. Also, the use of ceiling fans as a cooling system will cut the amount of energy you are using by allowing you to raise the thermostat four degrees. You can also consider using natural light from windows on sunny days instead of flipping on a light switch. Using natural light will reduce the amount of electricity used by running lamps and overhead lights all day.
- Fire up the grill:Â On warmer days, cooking outside on a grill instead of using an indoor oven can reduce your energy use as well, and keep the heat from cooking outside your home.
- Don’t overuse your appliances: Another way to reduce your energy use is to use household appliances less. For example, instead of running the dishwasher, try washing dishes by hand. Or instead of running your dryer, you could hang your clothes up to dry.
- Adjust your thermostat with the seasons: This one adjustment will provide the most cost-effective savings by lowering the heat on your thermostat in the winter and using the air conditioning less in the summer. According to Energy Sage, heating and cooling costs make up for nearly half of an average home’s utility bills, so doing these simple tips will reduce your utility bill tremendously.
Using energy more efficiently lessens carbon emissions in the environment, reduces pollution in our air and water, while helping to preserve our natural resources. It is so important to conserve energy and to be conscious of your decisions to protect our environment and increase your utility bill savings.