With today’s advances in technology and innovation, we have the power to easily use less energy and make a difference in our environment. Sometimes the steps to make your home energy efficient can seem expensive and time-consuming, but there are small modifications you can make every day to save on your electric bill.
Try out these 3 changes and see the difference on your next bill!
1. Replace
Incandescent lightbulbs are a thing of the past (literally). Manufacturers stopped producing 60 and 40-watt incandescent lightbulbs in 2014, while 100 and 75-watt light bulbs had already been phased out. There are many options to replace these such as halogen, compact fluorescent, and light-emitting diode (better known as LED) light bulbs. Look for ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs while shopping- these bulbs use about 70-90% less energy AND last longer!
2. Unplug
Did you know that those appliances and electronics you leave plugged in all day are using electricity, even if they aren’t being used? It’s good practice to unplug small appliances around your home when they aren’t in use! Some of these items include coffee makers, phone chargers, blenders, and toasters. These are known as “energy vampires” and they can be responsible for 10% of your energy bill! How many of these are you leaving plugged in each day?
3. Switch
Another easy way to save on your energy bill is to switch to cold water while doing your laundry. According to this #LighthouseLifehack, the energy your washing machine uses to heat water can be responsible for 90% of the energy used by your washing machine. Concerned cold water won’t get those stains out? Luckily there are plenty of cold water detergent options on the market. If you’re not ready to make the leap to cold water, try scaling back to warm water. Doing this can cut the energy used in half – cha-ching $$$!
These simple changes can save you hundreds each year and help protect the environment. How do you save money on your energy bill? Share your tips with us!
Looking for other ways to update your home? Learn how to organize your home two minutes at a time!