Feeling the heat of summer electricity costs every time you open a
bill from the electric company? You’re not alone. Between the costs of
electricity generation and growing environmental awareness, people all around
the world are looking for ways to cut down on their usage and see some energy
savings. Fortunately, energy conservation doesn’t have to mean giving up modern
comforts. Here are 10 easy ways you can start reducing your energy usage today:
1. Get a
Programmable Thermostat
Air conditioning actually
accounts for the largest portion of U.S. residential electricity use at 19%.
But you can use about 10% less energy for cooling (and heating) by controlling
temperatures with a programmable thermostat.
2. Replace
All Your HVAC Filters
Inefficient HVAC systems
have to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Replacing filters is an easy
and relatively inexpensive way to give your system a boost. You should also ask
your electric company if it offers any incentives for putting in
high-efficiency systems.
3. Don’t Let
the Sunshine In
You might want to soak up
the sun this summer, but the same doesn’t go for your house. Insulated drapes
and blinds can keep the sun from heating up the interior of your home. Long
term, you might consider painting your house a light color and planting shade
trees in order to reduce energy spent on summer cooling.
4. Install
Low-Flow Shower Heads
Water heating is another
major energy expense in most homes, accounting for 14 to 18% of utility bills.
Use less hot water by installing a low-flow showerhead -- it will take
literally minutes to do.
5. Wash Your
Clothes in Cold Water
For the same reason, you
can save quite a bit of energy by washing your clothes in cold or warm, rather
than hot, water. Even if you do only two loads of laundry per week, you can
also save around 500 pounds of CO2 from being released each year by doing so
(that’s if you have an electric water heater; the figure is about 150 pounds
for a gas water heater).
6. Embrace
Line-Dried Laundry
Especially in the summer,
many light fabrics don’t need to go in the dryer. You can get a folding drying
rack for clothes if you don’t have space for an outside line.
7. Fill the
Dishwasher All the Way
Don’t run the dishwasher
until it’s full -- it will use the same amount of resources whether it’s
washing five plates or 50. You can also turn off the drying cycle and allow
dishes to air dry, which can shave around 20% off your dishwasher’s electricity
usage.
8. Seal
Around Your Windows
Caulking costs less than $1
per window, and can make a big difference when it comes to energy losses.
9. Unplug
Battery and Device Chargers
Many chargers continue to
draw power even when not in use, so it’s best to only plug them in when you’re
actually charging something.
10. Cook Dinner
on the Grill
Instead of cooking inside
during the summer -- which will produce extra heat that your air conditioning
will need to tackle -- grill outside. It’s more fun anyway.
Want to do even more concerning electricity
conservation? Ask your electric company about smart meters that can help you
accurately track your usage.
About Starion Energy, Inc.
Starion Energy, Inc. serves both commercial and residential customers as an electricity and gas supplier. Starion Energy, Inc.'s coverage area spans nine states throughout the U.S. To learn more about their services, visit starionenergy.com.