The U.S. now leads the table in energy waste around the globe. It is also one of the countries that use the most energy, superseded by Canada, Iceland and Finland. While the burden of reducing energy wastage is not only down to the consumer, small continuous energy-saving efforts by every consumer can make a remarkable difference – both to the economy’s usage and a household’s energy bills. This year, South Africans face a 15 percent increase in their electricity bills, putting further financial pressure on households. Across the world, German consumers are paying $0.38 per kilowatt for electricity. With the green energy conversation getting louder and energy prices rapidly rising, there has never been a better time for consumers to adopt energy-saving habits. If you are looking to cut your household energy bills, it does not always mean you need to splash out on new costly energy-saving appliances like energy-saving electric hobs or energy star washing machines. In fact, reducing your energy usage is not only easily achievable, but it can come from small changes to your everyday routine.
Do You Need That Much Water?
In the U.S., the average family uses 300 liters of water every day at home, and 70 percent of it is used indoors. In the UK, this rises to 349 liters per day. Cutting down on the amount of water your household uses not only cuts your water use bill (and encourages sustainability); it can reduce the amount you are spending on heating. For instance, long showers and baths not only waste more water, but also require your water heater to work for longer to produce hot water. Similarly, boiling more water than you need for cooking means it takes longer for it to come to a boil, and more energy is used. Use only what you need for cooking, and think about water-saving initiatives in other parts of your home, such as the installation of a timed shower head or using rainwater to water your lawn.
Take Care Of Your Appliances So They Can Take Care Of You – For Longer
Regular maintenance of your household appliances helps to extend their life and helps to maintain their effectiveness. This means they use less energy to run, and keeps your energy bills low. For instance, defrosting your freezer regularly means that the set temperature is reached faster, which in turn uses less energy. Similarly, keeping your oven clean and free of build-up means it takes less time to heat up. However, be careful with the cleaning agents or methods you use for your appliances. Harsh chemicals sprayed on heating coils or control panels can end up causing them to short circuit or damage them. Opting for organic disinfecting methods does not affect the efficiency of your appliances, and is safer for your health.
Buy A Smart Thermostat Now, Save On Heat Later
A common mistake that households make is that they waste energy on heating their homes, either by turning it up too high or leaving it on when it is not needed. Smart thermostats have come a long way since first being introduced. They are now much more budget-friendly and easy to install yourself. They are also connected to your mobile so you can control the heating while you are out running errands or at work. You can set a heating schedule for when you or your family are at home so that your home remains warm and you reduce your heating bill.
Saving on energy in your home does not always have to mean sweeping changes in the way you live. In fact, homeowners have a better chance of making small changes that they can adopt for a long time.
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