In 2019, electricity production was responsible for 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions, but it can be very easy to reduce your electricity consumption. There are many small changes that you can make in order to use less electricity at home. Laura Avila Barraza, an experienced electrician, suggests these 5 ways to do so:
1) Upgrade appliances
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), appliances like clothes washers, dishwashers, and dryers account for 13% of home electricity use. By changing to more efficient models, you can significantly reduce your electricity bill. These appliances typically last between 13 and 15 years, so when you consider an upgrade to a more efficient model, it will save in the long run.
2) Reduce air conditioner usage
Data shows that air conditioning and heating make up 46% of energy consumption in the average U.S. home. Installing new appliances like smart thermostats can give you energy-saving modes for summer heat and winter cols. They have settings for you to schedule lower temperature and energy uses for times when you will not be home and can even learn the schedules of each person in the home through a connection to their smartphone!
Additionally, you can take small steps like double-checking that your windows are closed, setting the temperature just a degree or two higher, and looking into ways to air seal your home.
3) Use timers for lights
Using a timer on your light switches is a great way to ensure certain rooms are not left consuming energy when you are not in them. Some of these systems are activated by movement, so you may program them to turn off automatically after a specific period of inactivity. This means there will never be wasteful lighting in the house when it’s unoccupied!
4) Use natural lighting
Lighting accounts for 9% of electricity consumption, so it’s best to use natural light to replace indoor lights when you can. Daylight is free and can reduce energy costs, so always open curtains during the day and take advantage of the sun’s rays! Additionally, natural lighting is better for your eyes, so it is beneficial for your health to install skylights or use lighting designed to maximize daylight.
5) Unplug things you aren’t using
Electronic devices and chargers continue to draw power even when they’re turned off. These “phantom” uses cost a lot of extra energy and money, so unplugging devices you aren’t using at the moment or turning them off via a switch will save on your electricity bill.
Furthermore, while using surge protectors to keep appliances from storm outages is a common practice, this means that they are always plugged in and draining energy. Surge protectors drain electricity even when no power is being used, so make sure to unplug devices that are not currently being used.
Conclusion
You can reduce your electricity use to save money and become more environmentally friendly by following these 5 steps from Laura Avila Barraza. These are very simple changes, but they will make a big difference!
Laura Avila Barraza 