Energy Efficiency: Small Savings That Matter
Trying to reduce energy consumption doesn’t always mean making big savings here and there. You don’t have to use fewer lights or resort to not using air conditioning just to be able to save. In fact, most scenarios allow you to reduce your energy bills by as much as 50% without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience.
The smallest savings matter the most. The small cuts you make here and there will eventually add up to a big amount of money saved every month. You just have to know how to do it, and we have just the tips in this article.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Do you know that you will save more than 15% on the costs of heating and cooling your house just by setting the thermostat to the right temperatures? Going from 72°F to 78°F, for example, may not result in discomfort or the room being not comfortable enough, but it will cut down the cost of reaching that interior temperature by 16%.
Some tips are easier to apply. You can start by keeping the thermostat away from sources of heat so you don’t end up running the air conditioner for longer. Lamps and TVs tend to emit more heat, so keep them away.
You can also invest in a smart thermostat. Existing products from Nest and similar companies are starting to become affordable. These smart thermostats can be programmed, controlled remotely, and even set to automatic for maximum energy efficiency. The investment will be well worth it considering the amount of money you’ll start saving every month.
Get the Best Plan
In the old days, most households and apartments were stuck with just one electricity provider. Today, providers are competing in a relatively saturated market, which is why top companies such as TXU are making their plans more appealing to customers.
Take the time to review the best plans available and make sure you’re getting the best deal. You can see detailed TXU energy plans on their website. You’ll even get recommendations on how to save on your electricity bill, along with resources that can help you reduce your consumption level even further.
Lighting Tips
Over 10% of your energy is used to power the lights around your house. Making sure energy-efficient lights are used will help you cut that portion of the costs by a whopping 80%. This is done by switching from the older tungsten bulbs to the modern, energy efficient LEDs.
LEDs are also worth investing in because they are consistent and efficient. With CFL bulbs, you have to wait until the bulbs reach their optimum brightness. That is certainly not the case with LED lights because you instantly get the rated power as soon as you turn them on. You also don’t have to worry about excessive heat, which means a switch to LED lights will also lower the costs of managing the interior climate.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, not all energy saving tips have to be complicated. The ones we have covered in this article are very simple to implement and can help you save a lot every month.