With the recent West Coast heat waves, conserving energy has taken center stage. While it may be harder to turn down the AC during hotter months, there are a number of ways to conserve. Get ahead of the next flex alert and do your part to conserve energy at home with the helpful tips listed below.
Replace your light bulbs
It may seem minimal, but the types of lightbulbs you use can go a long way in energy conservation. Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume mass amounts of electricity and must be replaced often. Energy-efficient alternatives, like halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), use less energy and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.
Use energy-efficient appliances
Did you know that appliances are responsible for roughly 13% of total household energy use? When it comes to the appliances in your home, there are two things to keep in mind. Before your next buy, consider the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. While energy-efficient appliances have higher upfront purchase prices, the operating costs are often 9-25% lower than conventional models.
Replace your air filters
The filters in your home should be replaced regularly. Replacing your air filters helps you avoid repairs and helps to save money. In fact, The Department of Energy released a report saying that replacing dirty filters regularly can reduce household energy consumption by up to 15%.
Upgrade your HVAC system
If you are in an older home, chances are your HVAC system is in need of TLC. An HVAC system is composed of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Heating alone is responsible for more than 40% of home energy use. Air conditioning also plays a factor in energy use, with over 6% of the average, typical total energy consumption. You can reduce your energy consumption with proper insulation and maintenance of your ventilation system.
Let In Natural Light
Replacing your lightbulbs is not the only way to conserve energy. By letting natural light into your home and flipping the switch off, sunlight can save tons. For instance, having north and south-facing windows instead of east and west can help. Creating energy from the sun and conserving energy with natural light can significantly reduce your household consumption and cost.