Home energy saving tips

What can you do in your home to save electricity? The following home energy saving tips look at energy efficient ideas that you can easily implement in your home. The key is to reduce the amount of energy that you use. This will save you money and will reduce the damaging effects on the natural environment.

Energy audit
This is a great way to find out where you are using the most energy and where energy is used unnecessarily. From analysing your own use of electricity you start to understand where energy savings can be made. The worst culprit for home energy use is heating and cooling systems.

Plugs
Anytime that you are not using an electrical appliance, take the plug out of the socket. TVs, computers, CD players, rechargers, heaters, portable lights, coffee machines etc. Don’t leave extension leads or multiple socket extension leads plugged in. They all use electricity even when they are not being used.

Standby mode
TVs, DVDs, CD players, Hi-fis – anything that has a remote control and/or a standby mode will continually use electricity. In some cases the amount of electricity used is the same amount as when the item is in use.

Computers
Whenever your computer is not in use, use the sleep or standby function if you will return to working in a short period of time. Always shut down your computer and take the plug out when you have finished using it, especially at night. Never leave overnight in standby mode.

Gadgets and gizmos
Take a look around your home and note down all of the electrical convenience items that you have. Which items could you not survive without? Think about these examples; electric whisk, electric tin opener, electric dictionary, electric bike lights, electric tooth brush, electric shaver, electric carving knife, electric photo frame and so on. All of this electricity use adds up. Are there conventional ways of carrying out these tasks without using electricity. What did the generations before us do? Are there manual products that can do the same job even with a little more elbow grease?

Recharging
Invest in a portable solar charger for your mobile phone, digital camera, MP3 player etc. This will help reduce the amount of electricity you use with all of those gadgets and gizmos you have around the home. It would be unrealistic to tell you to through everything away! So try and make the way you use energy a little smarter.

Energy efficient appliances & products
There is of course the necessity to buy new appliances and products which run on electricity. But you can be smart and wise when shopping. Look for energy efficient models and spend a little time researching your local energy efficiency labelling system.

Electricity in your life
We can’t escape using electricity in our homes. Building your home uses vast amounts of energy for the materials and construction, and this can be higher than the electricity used during the whole occupancy. You can however do you best to limit your own use, whether that be with passive solar energy systems, energy efficient appliances, the use of natural light etc. Everything you can do to reduce the amount of electricity that you and your family use is a step in the right direction.

I hope these home energy saving tips help you on your way to a more energy efficient home. If you would like help with your home and energy saving, please contact me for professional advice.

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