In our current world, most of those who can are currently self-isolating. Whole families sit at home, leaving only if it cannot be avoided. Power usage among Americans has soared as the pandemic continues to keep us in our homes. Energy consumption has shifted from major corporations and schools to homes, where individuals work and go to school. It is only natural to stay on the lookout for energy savings tips to ensure that the increase in utilities used by the whole family doesn’t impact the bottom line. Some of these tips to lower power consumption are listed here for you to peruse and modify as needed for your family.
Power Off
Though you and your family members are constantly at home, there are most likely devices you are not currently using or need to use. Therefore, turn off anything that can be spared to conserve as much power as possible such as iPods or laptops, which hold a battery longer when in off mode.
Besides digital devices, you can power off any appliance not in use at the moment, such as coffee makers. Though they may not be in use, some appliances still pull power in when they are plugged into the socket, which can be minimized here. As an added side note, there are power strips out there that detect when anything plugged in is in standby mode and turns it off to reduce the use of power.
Streaming Guidelines
This tip may be beneficial in more than just conserving power. When you are done watching something, for example, Netflix, turn off the TV and the streaming service you are using. Set guidelines for children on the times in which they can use the Internet and for how long. Not only will you conserve power by turning off electronics that are not being used, but you will also save the bandwidth of your Internet, and if you have a limit on gigabytes for a month, you will conserve those too, energy savings tips.
Work Hours: Energy Savings Tips
Set a clear and concise schedule when you are considered in “the office.” This will help you power off any devices you were using during work and conserve their power for the next workday. Setting up a workstation could also help maintain work hours and use less energy. By focusing on only one part of the house, you won’t have everything running in other rooms.
Timers and Dimmer
When possible, use timers or dimmers on lights throughout the house. One of the most common energies drains people forgetting to turn off the lights as they walk from one room to another in their home. A timer placed onto the light can help with this – if you know you won’t be in there long, the timer will make sure to shut off the lights within a couple of minutes.
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Peak Times: Energy Savings Tips
Check with your energy provider what the rates are during peak times. Peak times will change based on the season, so it is good to check that periodically. Try and use less power during those peak times to avoid any additional cost by moving more of your energy-draining activities to another time of the day. For example, if you are working, consider unplugging your computer during those times if you are using a laptop and charging it back up later when the peak time is over. Energy savings tips.
Thermostat Settings
Change your thermostat settings by going a degree or two higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Instead, warm your home naturally by opening blinds and allowing in the sunlight. The same could be to cool it by opening the windows and closing the blinds against any open sun shining in.
Laundry Settings
Wash all of your laundry in water that is thirty degrees or less. While still very effective in washing your clothes and linens, a lower temperature is also an energy saver. In addition, lowering the temperature means that your boiler does not have to work hard to heat your water over and over again, as you are more likely to do more than one load.
Change Bulbs: Energy Savings Tips
Change all of your light bulbs to energy-saving bulbs, especially during the winter, when it gets darker faster, and you cannot rely on daylight to light your home. The most energy-efficient bulbs are the 8W energy-savers, though there are plenty of different options out there at your nearest hardware store.
Shop Around
Contrary to popular belief, there is usually more than one provider available for any area you might live in. Consider different options and companies as you look for the best energy rate. Most people are not aware of no deposit electricity in pre-paid plans. By pre-paying for your electricity, you are bound to be more conscious of how much of it you use in a month and stick to only what is within your budget. Don’t worry; if you reach the limit, your power is not shut off, but rather, you get a notice to pre-pay for more electricity to continue being delivered in energy savings tips.
