Tips to Reduce Your Energy Consumption
Reducing your energy consumption is important to combat pollution and climate change, which are some of the biggest crises the planet is facing today. Changing and improving living conditions is in your hands before it’s too late.
Every day, people use all kinds of devices: computers, cell phones, household appliances, etc. But, also, there are other things such as heating, air conditioning, and lighting that use energy. Everyone is connected through technology.
For this reason, you should understand the importance of using these devices correctly, since you might be damaging the environment and, of course, your pocket. Therefore, it’s time to look for solutions.
Reducing energy consumption in your community
In colder regions that require heating almost year-round, a high-powered boiler is needed.
If the radiator has a self-regulation system, it’ll be up to you if you want it on. However, it’s recommended they’re not on all day. In addition, if you’re going out of town for several days, turn it off completely.
Another case is street lamps. They’re constantly on all night whereas the community could use motion sensors that only turn them on when someone walks by. In addition, we recommend using LED lights, as in the long term, they reduce energy consumption and last longer.
It’s important all the neighbors are committed to reducing energy consumption.
Reducing energy consumption at home
Although it’s true that modern companies are changing to renewable energy, this is still not common in the home. Therefore, for the moment, the best you can do is to be a smart consumer. You won’t just avoid wasting resources, but also avoid expensive bills at the end of the month. Some of the best habits you can adopt are:
- Use one device at a time. For example, if you’re using the computer, you shouldn’t use the stereo, television or telephone. This will greatly reduce your energy consumption.
- It’s happened to everyone that, on some occasion, the power has shorted due to operating several electrical appliances simultaneously. This is why it’s important to organize different tasks for different times.
- Whenever possible, make the most of natural light. This way, you won’t consume so much electricity and, indirectly, you’ll contribute to your own well-being, since solar light improves your state of mind.
- Instead of using your dishwasher and washing machine with a low load, we recommended waiting to fill them for a single wash. This will be more efficient and productive. In this way, you’ll be contributing to a sustainable home.
Energy labels
When buying electrical appliances, make sure they have the energy label attached and it’s clearly visible. That is, the seal that they comply with environmental regulations. This way, you can check they’re energy efficient.
Look at the energy use. Use the EnergyGuide label to compare the energy use of similar models. Using an energy efficient appliance can make a big difference to your utility bills during the life of the appliance. Spending less on utility costs might balance out paying a bit more for an energy efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo, which means the appliance is better for the environment.
As you can see, by choosing low consumption appliances and making small changes, it isn’t just possible to reduce energy consumption but you can also benefit the environment. Therefore, it’s important to be informed and improve your consumption habits.
Approximately 10,000 kWh are consumed per year. This is a figure people could greatly reduce if each household did its bit.
We can help the planet with small gestures.
Other useful tips
Being a responsible consumer can become a reality if you adopt healthy habits. For example, if you’re going out of town, you don’t have to leave the computer on or have any devices plugged in.
In the same way, pay attention to your power strips. As a general rule, people leave them on with things plugged in. Even if it doesn’t look like it, this still uses electricity and you don’t want that. So, unplug them as well.
As far as water heaters are concerned, people use them a lot. So, you have to use less water and take shorter showers. If you change certain habits, you’ll live in a healthier world.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Jorge, Elena: Del hogar digital a la casa red, Lulu, 2008.
- Kriebel, Henning: Ahorro de energía mediante electrónica, Barcelona, Marcombo, 1998.