Switch Your Washer To Cold
Making simple changes to your daily habits can greatly impact the environment and your energy consumption, and switching your washer to cold is one of those changes. Not only does this decrease the amount of energy it takes for the machine to heat up the water, but it also helps promote more sustainable laundering practices that use fewer chemicals.
Cold-water detergents help dissolve and clean better than those intended for hot water, meaning they will be more effective in getting clothes cleaner while using less product. It’s so easy to make a positive impact while doing something as routine as laundry – all with one flip of a switch!
Use Your Ceiling Fan More
Did you know that using your ceiling fan can make a major difference in your home’s energy efficiency? Ceiling fans not only help to cool but also to heat. Heat rises, and so does the heat from your home heating system, making ceiling fans incredibly effective for circulating air. When used as intended within a room, ceiling fans can make it feel up to 8 degrees cooler during summer and 4-6 degrees warmer in winter.
They are efficient at temperature regulation and provide a cost-effective alternative to increasingly expensive air conditioning systems. A great way to use your ceiling fan to save energy is by remembering that in summer, the blades should spin counterclockwise to draw down cool air, while in the winter, they should spin clockwise to send hot air downwards – a simple change that you will notice on your energy bills!
Unplug Your Chargers
While it may not seem like it, the small action of unplugging your chargers when not in use can make a big difference in the energy used in homes. It’s pretty staggering when you look at how many electronics and appliances are still consuming energy when they are not even turned on. Not only does it waste electricity, but it also means more money is spent on the energy bill each month than needed.
Unplugging chargers for electronic devices such as smartphones is especially important as leaving these plugged in can contribute to overall electricity consumption by up to 10%. It’s an easy habit to develop and a simple way to be mindful of your electricity consumption.
Set Your Thermostat 2 Degrees Lower
How often can you tell the difference between a 2-degree temperature change? If you are like most people, not very often. But the simple habit of lowering your thermostat by 2 degrees during winter and raising it by 2 degrees during summer can significantly impact your energy consumption each month. It’s such a small change, but even if heaters and air conditioners are set to turn automatically, you can still save energy by reducing the temperature setting.
The amount of extra money saved on your energy bill may be small, but those savings will add up over time and significantly impact your overall budget. So why not start today with this simple lifestyle change? You’ll do your part in helping to conserve energy!
Try Some Simple Things To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient!
There are many simple and effective hacks to make your home more energy efficient, from switching your washer to cold to using your ceiling fan more. And while each of these may not seem like an earth-shattering change, they can significantly affect your energy consumption. Whether you are unplugging chargers or setting your thermostat 2 degrees lower, these small changes can help you reduce your carbon footprint and decrease your energy costs at the same time. So why not start today?
