Energy conservation is the practice of using less energy or using energy more efficiently. Energy conservation can benefit you, the environment, and society in many ways. In this article, we will breeze through easy and practical ways to conserve energy at home.
Energy conservation can save money on your energy bills, reduce your environmental impact and carbon footprint, improve your comfort and health, and help the planet and the people. There are many ways to conserve energy at home, and they can be categorized into six main areas:
Heating and Cooling
Lower or raise the temperature according to the season and your comfort level, or use a programmable or smart thermostat.
Use caulk, weather-stripping, foam, or tape to seal the gaps around windows, doors, outlets, and vents, and improve the insulation of your home. This is one of the best ways to conserve energy at home.
Use curtains and blinds to block or allow the sunlight and heat to enter or leave your home, depending on the season and the time of the day.
Clean and replace the air filters at least once every three months, or more often if you have pets or allergies, and improve the airflow and efficiency of your system.
Use it to set different temperatures for different times of the day and days of the week, and save energy and money.
For more details on how to conserve energy at home by setting its temperature right, check out Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer and Winter for Your Home
Using ceiling fans, window fans, or portable fans to circulate the air creates a cooling effect, thus conserving energy at home.
Ventilate your home by opening the windows and doors and allowing the breeze to flow. Plant trees, shrubs, or vines that can provide shade and breeze for your home.
Use it to remove excess moisture from the air and make it more comfortable and healthier. Reduce the need for cooling and prevent mold, mildew, and dust mites.
Some ceiling fans come with a reverse function that rotates the blades in the opposite direction, this preserves energy at home and distributes the warm air evenly in winter.
A geothermal heat pump uses the heat from the ground or water to heat and cool your home and can save you up to 70% on your heating and cooling bills.
Using radiant heating to heat the floor, the wall, or the ceiling of your home, can conserve energy at home. Use it to provide even and comfortable heating.
Use it to use wood or other biomass to create heat and ambiance, and preserve energy at home. Use it to provide cozy and romantic heating.
Portable heaters are less energy efficient than heating the whole house. They only heat a small space, while the rest of the house remains cold. This can lead to discomfort and health problems, especially if you move from one room to another frequently.
An evaporative cooler or a swamp cooler can lower the temperature of your home by up to 15°F (8°C), using up to 75% less energy than an air conditioner.
A smart home system controlled with your phone to optimize your heating and cooling, as well as your lighting, security, and entertainment, thus conserving energy at home.
Lighting
Use timers, dimmers, or motion sensors that can turn on/off lights for you to prevent energy waste and save money.
Open the curtains, blinds, windows, and doors, and let the sunlight in. Choose light colors for your walls, ceilings, and floors, and use mirrors and reflective surfaces to enhance the light.
Use the lowest wattage that can provide enough light for your needs and preferences. Check the maximum wattage rating of your fixture and use online platforms or tools to help you choose.
LED bulbs consume less energy last longer than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and provide better quality and various color temperatures.
Using lamps, spotlights, or under-cabinet lights can provide enough light for your task. Turn off or dim the general lighting when you are not using it.
Use them to control the brightness, duration, and activation of the light, and save energy and money. Install them on your existing fixtures, or buy new fixtures that have them built-in.
Using wax or oil to create light and ambiance, is one of the ways you can save energy at home. This also provides cozy and romantic lighting.
Fairy lights or rice lights can create light and decoration, and save energy and money. Hang them on your wall, ceiling, or window, or wrap them around your furniture, plants, or ornaments.
Smart bulbs can be connected to the internet and be controlled with your phone, voice, or schedule, to preserve energy at home.
Use the sun’s energy to power the light, and save energy. These lights can help you with outdoor lighting and decoration. Install them on your garden, patio, or driveway, or buy portable solar lights that can be moved around.
Utilizing natural light to illuminate your home can conserve energy at home. Design and orient your home to maximize the exposure and capture of the sunlight, and use skylights, windows, or light tubes to bring the light in.
Choose lamps that have energy-efficient bulbs, such as LED bulbs, or buy lamps that have energy-efficient features, such as touch, clamp, or clip-on.
To avoid energy loss, keep your ceiling and exhaust fan blades free of dust and grime. These can lower the fan’s airflow and make it use more power.
Use lighting that can turn on or off automatically when it detects movement. This is one of the recommended ways to conserve energy and money.
Dust can accumulate on your lights and reduce illumination by over 50%, clean them frequently to avoid energy loss.
Appliances
You can reduce your electricity bill and help the environment by switching off the TV when you are not watching it. This simple habit can prevent unnecessary power consumption and save energy resources.
The optimal temperature for your refrigerator is between 2°C and 3°C, and for your freezer is between -18°C and -15°C. Setting the temperature too low can waste energy and cause frost build-up.
Dust and dirt can accumulate on the coils of your refrigerator, which are located at the back or the bottom of the appliance. This can reduce the efficiency and performance of your refrigerator and make it work harder. To prevent this, clean the coils at least once a year with a vacuum cleaner or a brush.
Washing clothes in cold water can save energy and money, as well as preserve the fabric and color of your clothes. Most detergents work well in cold water, and some are specially designed for cold water washing.
Running full loads of laundry and dishes can save water and energy, as well as reduce the number of cycles you need to run. If you have a small load, use the appropriate load size setting on your washer or dishwasher, or wait until you have enough items to fill the machine.
Most washers and dishwashers have a quick mode that can reduce the water and energy consumption of the appliance. This mode may use less hot water, lower the temperature, shorten the cycle, or skip the drying phase.
Drying your clothes and dishes with a dryer or a heated dishwasher can use a lot of energy and generate heat. You can hang your clothes on a clothesline, a drying rack, or a hanger, and leave your dishes to dry on a rack or a towel to conserve energy at home.
The lint filter of your dryer can collect lint, dust, and hair, which can reduce the airflow and efficiency of your dryer and increase the drying time. To prevent this, clean the lint filter after every load, or at least once a week.
The microwave and the toaster oven use less energy and heat than the oven and can cook or reheat food faster and more evenly. They are also more suitable for small portions or single servings.
For faster and greener cooking, choose cookware that fits the burner or oven rack size, has a smooth bottom and a snug lid, and is made of good heat conductors like stainless steel, copper, or cast iron.
Cooking with the lid on can keep the heat and steam in the pot or pan, and lower the energy use and time needed. It can also be used for cooking methods like boiling, simmering, or steaming.
By using high pressure and steam, the pressure cooker can cook food quickly and lower household energy consumption. By using low heat and moisture, the slow cooker cooks food slowly.
The electric kettle and the induction cooktop are faster and more efficient ways to heat water or food than the usual methods, and they help you save energy and money.
A toaster and a sandwich maker can quickly and conveniently toast or grill bread or sandwiches while conserving energy at home.
Refrigerator door seals keep cold air in and warm air out, which saves food and energy. But they can get dirty, damaged, or misaligned, which worsens your fridge and costs more. You can clean and realign the old seal, or get a new one.
The coffee maker and the espresso machine are devices that can brew coffee faster and more easily than the conventional methods, thus saving both energy and money.
The rice cooker and steamer are devices that can cook rice or steam food faster and more perfectly than the conventional methods, conserving energy at home.
OLED panels are more vibrant and energy-efficient than conventional IPS and VA panels. They can turn off individual pixels to consume much less energy when viewing in dark mode.
Using the kitchen exhaust at full speed consumes electricity and generates noise. Therefore, it is advisable to turn them off when you are not cooking or when they are not needed.
Refrigerating hot foods can increase energy consumption hence it is advisable to wait for the food to cool down naturally before placing it inside the refrigerator.
Electronics
Many electronics continue to draw power even when they are turned off or in standby mode. This is called phantom or vampire power. To avoid this, turn them off when you are not using them, and preserve energy at home.
Power strips and smart plugs are devices that allow you to control multiple electronics with one switch or remotely. You can use them to turn off or on electronics, and prevent them from drawing phantom power.
You can lower the brightness of your screens to save energy and reduce eye strain. You can also use auto-brightness or night mode features that can adjust the brightness according to the ambient light or the time of the day.
Most devices have an energy-saving mode that can reduce the power and performance of the device to save energy and extend the battery life. This mode may lower the brightness, disable the wireless connections, or limit the background activities.
Use original or compatible chargers, avoid overcharging or undercharging, and unplug the chargers when not in use. One of the ways to conserve energy at home is by using solar chargers or power banks that can store and provide energy for your devices.
Sound systems use more energy to produce immersive sound compared to headphones. You can use wired or wireless headphones to enjoy the same experience with less energy consumption.
You can use cloud or external storage instead of internal storage to save energy and space, as well as backup and access your data from anywhere.
You can use solar power banks to charge your mobile devices and decrease your overall household energy consumption.
Desktop Computers and Gaming Consoles do provide an immersive experience but it comes at the cost of increased power consumption. You can replace them with a laptop or handheld gaming console to save energy.
Use streaming or downloading instead of the DVD or CD to save energy and access more content. You can also use online platforms or apps that can offer streaming or downloading services for your devices.
E-readers come with a special panel known as an e-ink display which consumes less power compared to conventional displays. These displays are perfect for long hours of reading as they do not strain your eyes.
Use online or digital reading materials instead of paper to save energy, as well as manage and access your information more easily. You can also use online platforms or apps that can offer online or digital services for your devices.
You can change your computer’s power mode to power-saving and reduce the on-screen and idle time to minimize resource usage and power consumption.
You can donate or recycle your old or unused devices as they can use more energy and space. This is listed under the recommended ways you can conserve resources.
Energy-efficient and eco-friendly devices, such as ENERGY STAR-certified or EPEAT-registered devices, use less energy and resources than your regular devices. It is considered one of the sustainable ways to conserve energy at home and it also provides better performance and quality.
Water
Showers are the biggest water users in the average home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Taking shorter showers can save water and energy, as well as lower your water and energy bills.
One of the ways to conserve energy at home is using low-flow showerheads and faucets as these reduce the water flow and pressure, without compromising performance and comfort.
Leaks are the silent water wasters that can drip away gallons of water every day. Fixing leaks can preserve water and energy, as well as lower your water and energy bills.
Insulating water pipes and tanks can prevent heat loss and keep the water hot for longer, as well as lower your water and energy bills. You can also use pipe wraps or blankets that can cover your water pipes and tanks and provide insulation.
Turning down the water heater temperature to 120°F or lower from the default 140°F can save energy at home, as well as prevent scalding and scaling.
The dishwasher can save water and energy, as well as lower your water and energy bills. You can also use the energy-saving mode or the air-dry option on your dishwasher.
To lead a more sustainable life, go through these 26 Eco Friendly Lifestyle Practices for Day-to-Day Life
The faucet aerator or the spray nozzle can increase the water pressure and reduce the water flow, without compromising the performance and comfort.
The garbage disposal can grind food waste and send it down the drain. It can use a lot of water and energy, as well as clog the pipes and harm the environment. Use it sparingly by composting your food waste.
A rain barrel or a cistern can collect and store rainwater from your roof or gutter. You can use a rain barrel or a cistern to save water, as well as reduce your dependence and impact on the municipal water supply.
A low-flow toilet or a dual-flush toilet uses less water per flush, without compromising performance and comfort. You can also use a toilet tank bank or a displacement device that can reduce the water volume in the tank and save water per flush.
A faucet timer or a shower timer is a device that can measure and limit water usage and water duration. You can use a faucet timer or a shower timer to save water, as well as prevent water waste and overuse.
A manual water filter can remove impurities and contaminants from the water without using any electricity and make it cleaner and safer. It also reduces your use and disposal of bottled water.
A drip irrigation system can deliver water directly to the roots of the plants, and a sprinkler system can deliver water evenly to the surface of the plants. It can also be controlled with a timer or a sensor.
A pool cover can cover the surface of the pool, reduce heat loss and evaporation of the pool water, and keep it warm for a longer period.
A solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water, instead of electricity or fossil fuels. This reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and saves money on energy bills.
A water-saving showerhead or a faucet is a device that can reduce the water flow and pressure, without compromising performance and comfort.
Every washing machine comes with a quick mode which can save water, time, and energy, as well as lower your water and energy bills.
You can use a water meter or a smart meter to conserve water at home, as well as monitor and manage your water consumption.
Dry washing reduces water consumption by up to 99% compared to conventional car washing. It lowers energy use by eliminating the need for electric pumps, heaters, or blowers.
Although it is not a low-cost option, it will enhance the warmth and coziness of your house and also reduce your annual energy expenses slightly.
Behavior
Keep your vehicle in good condition to improve its performance and reduce its fuel consumption. Tune up your engine, change your oil, and check your tire pressure.
Do not open the oven door frequently while cooking to prevent heat loss and energy waste.
Get an electric or hybrid vehicle to use less or no gas, which means less emissions and pollution. They also have lower maintenance costs and tax benefits.
Avoid keeping your basin tap running continuously while brushing your teeth. Only use it when rinsing and washing your mouth. Practice this every day as it is one of the important ways to conserve energy at home.
Take buses, trains, subways, or trams to travel long distances. Public transportation uses less energy and produces less emissions than individual cars.
Park in a central location and walk to each stop to save energy and time. You can avoid starting and stopping your engine multiple times, which can waste gas and cause wear and tear.
Wear your clothes more than once before washing them to conserve energy and water at home. This extends the life of your clothes. You can also clean or air out your clothes.
Add an extra blanket to your bed to lower your thermostat usage and save on heating costs. You can also choose a warm and comfortable blanket, such as a fleece or a quilt.
Turn off the lights and light some candles to save electricity and set the mood for a special dinner. This is one of the best ways to conserve energy at home. You can also choose scented or colored candles to add fragrance and beauty.
Go to bed earlier and turn off the lights and other appliances to save electricity and get more sleep. You can also read, meditate, or pray to relax your mind and body.
Avoid leaving your smartphone chargers in the socket and unplug them after your smartphone has charged. You must make this a habit to conserve energy at home.
Walk or run outside instead of using an electric treadmill to save electricity and get some fresh air.
Use rechargeable batteries for your devices to conserve energy and reduce waste. Rechargeable batteries can last longer and be reused many times, and they can also save you money and hassle.
Bring reusable bags to the grocery store and load your groceries in them to conserve energy and reduce waste. Reusable bags can be used over and over again, and they can also hold more items and be sturdier.
Mend and repair your clothes to conserve energy and extend the life of your clothes. Buying new clothes can use a lot of energy and resources, and it can also contribute to the fast fashion industry.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned some useful ways to conserve energy at home. By following the tips in this list, you can reduce your energy consumption, and contribute to a more sustainable and livable future. Whether you choose to make small changes or big investments, every action counts and makes a difference.
Olivia is committed to green energy and works to help ensure our planet's long-term habitability. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and avoiding single-use plastic.
